Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury preview capsule

September 12, 2024 7:38 pm
• Last Updated: September 12, 2024 7:39 pm

Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey, left, drives on Indiana Fever guard Erica Wheeler in the first half of a WNBA game on Aug. 28 in Indianapolis. (Michael Conroy/AP Photo)

Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix

Tip: 10 p.m. (ION)

Probable starters: Mercury, 6-9 C Brittney Griner (17.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-0 G Diana Taurasi (15.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg), 5-10 G Natasha Cloud (11.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.7 apg), 6-1 G Kahleah Copper (21.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.2 apg), 6-1 G Sophie Cunningham (8.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.1 apg).

Sun, 5-10 G Ty Harris (10.2 ppg, 3.1 apg), 5-11 G DiJonai Carrington (12.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg), 6-4 G DeWanna Bonner (15.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.0 apg), 6-2 F Alyssa Thomas (10.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 7.8 apg), 6-3 F Brionna Jones (13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg).

Noteworthy: Marina Mabrey tied a career high with six 3-pointers in the Sun’s 86-66 victory Tuesday against the Los Angeles Sparks and finished with a season-high 26 points, a trait — sharpshooting — which makes everyone on the team’s life easier, said head coach Stephanie White. “In multiple situations, they’re going to have two on her, so it opens up somebody else,” White said. But White also credited Mabrey, the Sun’s sixth player, for her role in Sunday’s win over the Sparks, in which Mabrey had 10 points, four rebounds and four assists, serving as facilitator instead of scorer. Said Mabrey: “I mean, we have a big group of great players, so if they’re going to take me away, then somebody else can score. And if they’re going to take someone else away, then I’m going to open up. Just making the right play and trusting that my teammates know I like to shoot 3s and they’re going to find me.” … The Sun (26-10), third in the WNBA standings, are 3-0 this season against the Mercury (17-19), including a 96-69 win July 14 at Mohegan Sun, led by 17 points from DeWanna Bonner. … Phoenix is coming off a 90-66 loss to Seattle on Saturday, a game in which UConn graduate Diana Taurasi, the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, led the way with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists. … Connecticut’s Brionna Jones had 19 points and eight rebounds in the Sun’s previous game, giving her 17 or more points in the team’s last five outings. … The Sun are holding opponents to a league-low 73.9 points per game, 27 field goals per game and 7.2 offensive rebounds per game.

— Vickie Fulkerson