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Sami's Phoenix out-muscles Plum's Sparks
Australian Opal Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Phoenix Mercury reacts as she is tied up by Kelsey Plum #10 of the Los Angeles Sparks for a jump ball during an 85-80 Mercury win at Crypto.com Arena on June 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How/Getty Images)
Highlights
Phoenix Mercury defeat LA Sparks 85-80 in WNBA Clash as Satou Sabally scores 24 points on the road
- Australian Sami Whitcomb has 11 points in 28 minutes against LA Sparks
- Complete guide to every Australian playing in the WNBA
- How to watch every 2025 NBL1 women's game LIVE and FREE
Australian point guard Sami Whitcomb's Phoenix Mercury (5-2) went on the road and secured a tough 85-80 win against the Los Angeles Sparks (2-6) at Crypto.com Arena on Monday, June 2, 2025.
Teammate Satou Sabally's 24-point performance helped the Mercury overcome an early deficit to secure their fifth win of the season.
Whitcomb played 28 minutes and went 4-from-10 from the field, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Key Details
- Result: Phoenix Mercury 85 def. Los Angeles Sparks 80
- When: June 2, 2025
- Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
- Standings: Phoenix Mercury (#4) | Los Angeles Sparks (#10) Standings
By the Numbers
- Satou Sabally (Phoenix) starred with 24 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 32 minutes.
- Odyssey Sims (Los Angeles) scored 32 points, and had five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 37 minutes.
What Happened
The Sparks came out firing in the first quarter, establishing a 27-17 lead behind Odyssey Sims' hot shooting. Los Angeles extended their advantage in the second quarter, taking a commanding 50-37 lead into halftime as the Mercury struggled to find their rhythm.
The game dramatically shifted in the third quarter when Phoenix's defence clamped down, holding the Sparks to just nine points. The Mercury outscored Los Angeles 24-9 in the period, erasing the deficit and taking a 61-59 lead heading into the final frame.
Sabally was instrumental in the Mercury's comeback, scoring eight of her 24 points in the third quarter while adding three crucial steals that sparked Phoenix's transition offence. Her efficiency at the free-throw line (8-from-11) proved vital in maintaining the Mercury's momentum.
The teams traded baskets throughout a tense fourth quarter, but Phoenix's balanced attack ultimately prevailed. Kitija Laksa and Kathryn Westbeld each contributed 15 points, with Westbeld adding two blocks that helped secure the victory. Monique Akoa Makani orchestrated the offence efficiently with six assists against zero turnovers.
Despite Sims' outstanding 32-point performance for Los Angeles, shooting an efficient 10-from-14 from the field, the Sparks couldn't overcome their disastrous third quarter. Kelsey Plum added 15 points but struggled with her shooting, connecting on just 4-of-19 attempts, including 2-of-10 from three-point range.
The Mercury's superior three-point shooting proved decisive, as they connected on 41.4 percent (12-from-29) compared to the Sparks' dismal 22.9 percent (8-from-35). Phoenix also demonstrated better ball control down the stretch, committing just 12 turnovers to Los Angeles' 13.
With this victory, Phoenix improved to 5-2, strengthening their position in the WNBA's upper tier, while Los Angeles dropped to 2-6, continuing their early-season struggles.
