The Phoenix Mercury continued their remarkable late-season surge on September 2, 2025, securing an 85-79 victory over the Indiana Fever at PHX Arena. It was a game packed with narratives—redemption, playoff implications, and standout performances—that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. With this win, the Mercury notched their fifth straight triumph, improved their record to 26-14, and climbed into a tie for second place in the WNBA standings alongside Las Vegas and Atlanta.
From the opening tip, it was clear both teams understood the stakes. The Mercury, already playoff-bound, were fighting for better seeding, while the Fever, now 21-20 and clinging to eighth place, were desperate to maintain their postseason hopes. The absence of Fever star Caitlin Clark—missing her 20th consecutive game due to a right groin injury—only intensified the pressure on Indiana’s remaining core.
The Mercury’s attack was led by MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas, who flirted with a triple-double, finishing with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists. Thomas’s all-around play controlled the tempo and dictated the flow, especially when the game threatened to slip away in the second half. "We played two years for [Fever coach Stephanie White], and everything is pretty much the same. The defense, the offense, we know everything they’re about to do," Thomas revealed, referencing her and DeWanna Bonner’s familiarity with White’s systems from their Connecticut Sun days.
DeWanna Bonner, who has become a key reserve for Phoenix after a brief and tumultuous stint with the Fever earlier this season, poured in 19 critical points off the bench. Bonner’s impact was felt on both ends of the floor—she added 4 rebounds and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. The veteran forward’s motivation was palpable, given her history with Indiana. After playing nine games for the Fever before being waived, Bonner returned to Phoenix, bringing her trademark energy and experience. Her performance against her former club seemed to carry extra weight, especially as she exchanged words with ex-teammate Caitlin Clark on the sidelines.
Despite the Mercury’s balanced effort—five players hit double digits in scoring—the Fever came out swinging. Kelsey Mitchell erupted for 15 points in the first quarter and ultimately tallied 29 on 11-of-20 shooting, including 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. Lexie Hull chipped in 18 points with 5 rebounds, while Aliyah Boston contributed 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Indiana’s offense ran through Mitchell, who kept the game close with timely buckets and relentless drives.
Yet, the Mercury’s defensive pressure and playoff-tested composure made the difference. After building a 54-39 halftime lead—capped by Monique Akoa Makani’s three-pointer with just 2.2 seconds left in the second quarter—Phoenix saw their advantage waver as the Fever mounted a third-quarter surge. Mitchell led a 7-0 run, and by the late stages of the fourth, Indiana had trimmed an 11-point deficit to just seven with under four minutes to play.
That’s when Thomas took over, executing a textbook spin move against Boston to spark a decisive 6-0 Mercury run. Coach Nate Tibbetts praised Thomas’s instincts and leadership, saying, "AT is the ultimate free safety in our league. She’s at an extremely high level, and she sees some things that others don’t. You have to allow her to be herself." Tibbetts also credited Bonner’s presence for stabilizing the team and minimizing costly turnovers—a problem that plagued the Mercury earlier in the season. "When you don’t turn it over, they have to play against our set defense, which we believe in," he explained.
The Mercury’s aggressive defense forced 12 Fever turnovers, converting them into 16 points. Sami Whitcomb, who finished with 10 points and 7 assists, played a pivotal role in disrupting Indiana’s rhythm, while Natasha Mack anchored the glass with 10 rebounds. Satou Sabally (13 points) and Kahleah Copper (11 points) rounded out Phoenix’s balanced scoring attack. The Mercury’s ability to get to the free-throw line—making 19-of-23 attempts compared to Indiana’s 6-of-8—proved crucial in a tightly contested affair.
For the Fever, the loss was doubly painful. Not only did they slip to eighth in the playoff race—just one game ahead of the Los Angeles Sparks for the final postseason spot—but they also missed a golden opportunity to build momentum with Clark still sidelined. The pressure is now squarely on Indiana to hold off the chasing pack as the regular season winds down.
Phoenix, meanwhile, has found its stride at the perfect time. Their fifth consecutive win came on the heels of a victory over the New York Liberty and sets the stage for a challenging East Coast road trip, beginning with the Washington Mystics on September 4. The Mercury’s final stretch includes matchups with Connecticut, Los Angeles, and Dallas, all of which could shape the playoff landscape.
Bonner’s resurgence has been a storyline to watch. Since returning to Phoenix, she’s embraced her role as a spark plug off the bench, providing scoring punch and veteran savvy. Her 19-point effort against Indiana was her highest since a 23-point outburst early last month—ironically, also against the Fever. As the Mercury eye a deep playoff run, Bonner’s contributions could be the X-factor they need.
Statistically, the game was a showcase of efficiency and hustle. Phoenix shot 30-of-66 from the field (45.5%) and 6-of-21 from three-point range (28.6%), while Indiana went 32-of-75 (42.7%) and 9-of-25 (36%) from deep. Both teams crashed the boards—Phoenix grabbed 36 rebounds, Indiana 40—but the Mercury’s edge in assists (24 to Indiana’s 25) and free-throw shooting ultimately tipped the scales.
As the WNBA regular season enters its final week, the Mercury’s confidence is surging. With Thomas orchestrating the offense, Bonner embracing her redemption arc, and a supporting cast firing on all cylinders, Phoenix looks poised to make noise in the playoffs. The Fever, on the other hand, are left searching for answers and hoping for Clark’s return to spark a late push.
The Mercury’s next test comes Thursday against the Mystics—a game with major seeding implications. If their current form is any indication, Phoenix fans have plenty to be excited about as the postseason approaches.
