Two of the WNBA teams struggling the most — the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury — will battle to be the one to end an extended losing streak on Saturday in Phoenix.
Seattle (3-13) has lost nine consecutive games. Phoenix (4-12) has been defeated four straight times and fallen in 10 of its last 12 games.
Moreover, the Mercury are eager to snap a five-game losing streak at home. Their last win at Phoenix was more than a month ago — May 15 against the Chicago Sky.
Natasha Mack scored a career-high 16 points for Phoenix when it won June 3 at Seattle. The Mercury won on the Portland Fire’s home floor in their next game before tumbling into their current losing streak.
Seattle has lost seven straight games on the road — all but one by double figures — since winning May 10 at the league-worst Connecticut Sun (2-14).
“That’s been a big focal point for us, pretty consistently in our practices, just being able to share the ball, keep it moving and making the reads,” Seattle head coach Sonia Raman said. “The more they get comfortable playing with each other, the more their unselfishness by nature is showing up on the court with their ability to share the ball.”
Leading scorer Natisha Hiedeman (15.0 points per game) also paces Seattle in assists (4.3 apg).
Phoenix’s issues are mostly on the defensive side, allowing 86.8 points per game.
“We’re struggling to guard anybody,” Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas said. “That comes down to one, pride; two, learning from our mistakes and coming in here and being held accountable. We got to get better each and every day in that area. And if we don’t, it’s just going to continue to result in how it is right now.”
Thomas, the perennial Most Valuable Player candidate, continues to stuff the stat sheet. She averages 14.2 points, 8.3 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.
Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper has averaged 20 points over the last 10 games, which includes a career-high 41 points last Saturday against Los Angeles.
–Field Level Media
