PHOENIX - A year after reaching the WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury were mathematically eliminated from the 2026 playoff race Saturday night, falling 99-89 to the Atlanta Dream at Mortgage Matchup Center.
The Associated Press, carried by Arizona Sports and TSN, and the ESPN recap confirmed the final: Atlanta 29-21-23-26, Phoenix 18-17-33-21. The Mercury dropped to 13-24. The Dream improved to 24-13, clinched a playoff berth, and moved a half-game ahead of Indiana for the No. 4 seed with seven games left on Atlanta's schedule.
Angel Reese posted a career-high 31 points and 14 rebounds on 14-of-21 shooting for her 25th double-double of the season, ESPN and the AP reported. Her previous career high was 27 points as a 2024 Chicago rookie. Rhyne Howard added 20 points with four 3-pointers, Allisha Gray scored 17, and Jordin Canada had 12.
Atlanta led 14-3 inside the first four minutes, took a 29-18 first-quarter edge, and carried a 50-35 halftime cushion built in part on paint pressure.
Copper's surge, then a shortfall
Kahleah Copper finished with 38 points for Phoenix. Arizona Sports and a WNBA game update credited her with 18 points in the third quarter alone as the Mercury cut the deficit to one before Atlanta closed the period ahead 73-68. ESPN noted Phoenix shot 13 of 22 in the third after 10 of 29 in the first half, then lost the fourth quarter 26-21.
Alyssa Thomas recorded her 22nd regular-season triple-double with 11 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, the AP said. DeWanna Bonner added 12 points. It was not enough after the early hole.
"That first half was unacceptable," Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts told Northeast Valley News. Thomas pointed to the opening defense as a problem to dissect after the loss. Copper said the difference between halves was effort and defense the Mercury can control, according to the same report.
