By Sarah Disbro

The Chicago Sky fell to the Phoenix Mercury, 79-83 in a tight contest on Thursday, Aug. 28. 

Kia Nurse matched a season high with five made three-pointers, providing a key spark off the bench as the Sky again battled late with one of the league’s best teams. Nurse tied the game against her former team on a long two-pointer late in the fourth. Phoenix was able to secure the win down the stretch behind season highs in blocks and steals. 

“Tonight, it’s a credit to her for staying the course,” Tyler Marsh said of Nurse’s performance. “Kia has been good for us all year in terms of her work ethic, her professionalism, the effort that she gives night in and night out, there’s no replacing that. And so I continue to be proud of Kia.” 

Former Sky player Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 28 points on her birthday, while shooting 56.2% from the field. Natasha Mack recorded her first career double-double for the Mercury with 10 points and 12 rebounds to go along with a career-high five blocks. 

The Sky opened up the game on a strong note leading by as much as 11 in the first quarter. Yet, Chicago had to overcome scoring just eight points in the second. Phoenix’s defense was all over the court as they recorded a league-record 17 steals along with 11 blocks in the game. 

“Good teams, they don’t lay down,” Angel Reese said of Phoenix. “We were up I think 17-8, like we got comfortable. We can’t get comfortable no matter what.” 

Both teams caught fire in the second half as Chicago finished the game shooting 50.0% from three-point range and 44.6% from the field. Phoenix shot 40.8% from the field and 35.3% from beyond the arc. 

The Sky played good defense on MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas throughout the game, but she hit big shots to secure the win for the Mercury down the stretch. She finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. 

Nurse led the Sky with 17 points, while shooting 5 of 7 from three-point range. She was one of four Chicago players in double figures. 

Reese once again had a standout performance as she recorded her 21st double-double of the season to take the league lead in the stat. She finished with 15 points and a season-high 20 rebounds. Reese was key in the fourth quarter where she had multiple buckets to keep the Sky in the game.

To round out the scoring for Chicago, Kamilla Cardoso had 15 points and seven rebounds. Rachel Banham added 13 points, including three three-pointers.