Wings Shine with 4 Rookies: James Leads with 28, Bueckers Follows with 23 in 98-89 Victory Over Mercury

Kahleah Copper delivered a standout performance with 33 points, marking the 11th 30-point game of her career, although the Phoenix Mercury fell to the Dallas Wings 98-89 on Thursday night. The Mercury’s record now stands at 12-6.

For Dallas, Aziaha James shined, scoring 20 of her game-high 28 points in the first half. Paige Bueckers contributed 23 points, helping the Wings improve to 6-13. Also noteworthy was JJ Quinerly, who set a career-high with 17 points. Luisa Geiselsoder, another rookie, chipped in four points.

Li Yueru was instrumental, netting 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. The Wings secured an early lead, capitalizing on their shooting accuracy—making 10 of 13 field goals and finishing the first quarter up 32-20.

James exhibited her shooting prowess, sinking five 3-pointers while also contributing six assists and six rebounds. The Wings closed the first half with a commanding 61-43 lead.

Despite Phoenix’s efforts, including Copper’s two quick 3-pointers, Dallas maintained control. The Mercury, who recently completed a six-game winning streak, faced their second straight loss, with Satou Sabally and Monique Akoa Makani adding 20 and 14 points, respectively.

As the game progressed, Dallas extended their advantage to as much as 18 points, ultimately securing the victory and solidifying a strong comeback after a tough start to the season.

The Valley’s sports scene remains vibrant, boasting several professional teams across major leagues, including the NFL’s Cardinals, NBA’s Suns, WNBA’s Mercury, and MLB’s Diamondbacks. Major events, such as college football bowls and NASCAR races, also attract attention throughout the year.

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