Mercury fall to Sun as turnovers, slow start prove costly

A slow start and costly turnovers doomed the Phoenix Mercury in a 96-83 loss to the Connecticut Sun on Friday night.

Connecticut opened the game on an 8-0 run as Phoenix struggled to establish rhythm on both ends of the floor. The Mercury recovered to trim the deficit to 26-21 after the first quarter but continued to struggle with ball security throughout the first half. The Sun capitalized on Phoenix’s mistakes to build a 54-37 halftime lead.

The Mercury showed more composure after the break, cutting the deficit to as few as nine points after trailing by as many as 20. Phoenix competed against Connecticut down the stretch of the second half but was unable to complete the comeback.

Phoenix committed 15 turnovers that led to 25 Connecticut points, while missed second-chance opportunities and rushed offensive possessions prevented the Mercury from sustaining momentum. The team’s most consistent success came in the paint, but it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

Head coach Nate Tibbetts said the Mercury’s first-half turnovers put the team in a difficult position.

“We were slow,” Tibbetts said. “The turnovers in the first half hurt our defense and our approach. It’s a tough hole to get out of.”

Tibbetts said the team must improve its consistency, urgency and effort as it continues searching for better basketball.

“We’re still playing for something,” he said. “We have to be consistent with the effort and accountability.”

Guard Lexi Held echoed that message, saying the Mercury must respond better when facing adversity.

“We’re not as consistent as we need to be,” Held said. “It starts on the defensive end. Collectively, we have to be better coming out of the gate and avoid the self-inflicted errors.”

Before tipoff, the Mercury announced forward Marta Suárez had signed a second seven-day contract. Suárez earned the extension after stepping into a larger role following Natasha Mack’s foot injury and is coming off a career-high 10-point performance against the Indiana Fever.

“Marta is an extremely hard worker and basketball is extremely important to her,” Tibbetts said. “She’s not afraid of competing.” 

The Mercury and Sun meet again Sunday at Mortgage Matchup Center, with tipoff scheduled for 4 p.m. Arizona time. ♦︎