Kia Nurse Nearly Changes the Ending, but Phoenix Escapes Chicago With an 83–79 Win

PHOENIX: Kia Nurse faced her former team Thursday night and produced one of her best perimeter-shooting performances of the season.

The Chicago Sky still came up four points short.

Phoenix defeated Chicago 83–79, surviving a late push that included five made three-pointers from Nurse and another determined effort from a Sky team attempting to remain competitive against a leading Western Conference opponent.

Nurse's performance offered a reminder of how one reliable perimeter shooter can change a game's circumstances.

But Phoenix possessed enough scoring and defensive production to protect the result.

Nurse attacks from outside

Chicago's offense has frequently struggled to generate dependable three-point shooting.

Against Phoenix, Nurse provided exactly that.

She matched her season high with five made three-pointers.

The outside production helped prevent the Mercury from concentrating entirely on protecting the paint.

Nurse also converted a long two-pointer late in the fourth quarter that tied the contest.

The shot gave Chicago an opportunity to complete another comeback.

Copper leads the Mercury

Former Sky star Kahleah Copper scored 28 points on her birthday.

She shot 56.2% from the field, delivering efficient scoring against the organization with which she won the 2021 WNBA championship.

Copper's performance gave Phoenix a reliable offensive centerpiece.

For Chicago, defending a former franchise star added another dimension to an already demanding assignment.

The Sky needed to contain Copper without allowing the rest of the Mercury to dominate other scoring areas.

Mack changes the defensive equation

Natasha Mack recorded her first career double-double for Phoenix.

She finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Her five blocks established a new career high.

That defensive contribution helped Phoenix protect the paint, particularly during possessions when Chicago attempted to attack inside.

Mack's combination of rim protection and rebounding reduced the value of some of the Sky's offensive opportunities.

It also gave the Mercury another method of protecting a close lead.

Another narrow defeat reveals the problem

Chicago had an opportunity late.

Nurse tied the game.

The Sky could not finish.

Phoenix converted the remaining opportunities and escaped with a four-point victory.

The defeat illustrated a familiar pattern.

Chicago can produce competitive stretches against strong opponents, particularly when its perimeter shooting is effective.

But those stretches have not consistently translated into wins.

Nurse's performance was encouraging.

The Sky's inability to finish another close game was not.