Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm
Phoenix Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi (11) smiles while celebrating a 3-pointer against the Seattle Storm with Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin
PHOENIX — Valeriane Ayayi had 18 points and 10 rebounds and the Phoenix Mercury snapped a four-game losing streak by extending the Seattle Storm's skid to 10 straight in a 93-73 victory on Saturday.
Kahleah Copper added 17 points for the Mercury (5-12), who pulled away with a 14-0 run to start the third quarter.
Phoenix got double-doubles from Noemie Brochant with 16 points and 10 assists, and Natasha Mack — 10 points and 10 rebounds. Lexi Held scored 11 in her first career start, while DeWanna Bonner added 10 points.
Natisha Hiedeman led the Storm (3-14) with 20 points and rookie Flau'jae Johnson scored 13. Dominique Malonga and reserve Zia Cooke added 10 points each.
Seattle led 24-19 after one quarter on 48% shooting, but finished at 36%.
Ayayi hit a 3-pointer and Copper added two free throws to finish off a 13-0 run in the second quarter for a 43-29 lead. Seattle went on a 12-5 run behind seven points from Malonga to cut it to 48-41 at halftime.
Up next
Seattle: Hosts Dallas Wings on Monday.
Seattle Storm guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) drives past Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) and Mercury forward Kahleah Copper (2) to score during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Saturday, June 20, 2026, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Ross D. Franklin
Phoenix: At Indiana Fever on Monday.
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