The Phoenix Mercury faced a tough start to their season, losing their home opener against the Minnesota Lynx after a demanding schedule of two games in three days.
May 12, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) reacts against the Minnesota Lynx in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
PHOENIX â Opening nights in the Valley are always special, but this year, the Phoenix Mercury played their first home game of the season after playing two games in three days.
May 12, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) against the Minnesota Lynx in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Mercury came away with a split on their first road trip of the season, dominating the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday before falling to the Golden State Valkyries on Sunday. Although Monday was the clubâs off day, Tuesday marked its third game in four days against a Minnesota Lynx team that had played only once this season.
Phoenix and Minnesota traded runs throughout the game, but the Mercury could not keep the score close in the final four minutes. Turnovers and an inability to come up with defensive stops allowed the Lynx to pull away for an 88-84 victory. Even with the roar of the X-Factor crowd, Phoenix appeared fatigued after so many games in such a short stretch.
The Phoenix Mercury lost their home opener against the Minnesota Lynx.
The Phoenix Mercury played two games in three days before their home opener.
Alyssa Thomas is a forward for the Phoenix Mercury, and she reacted during the first half of the game against the Minnesota Lynx.
The Phoenix Mercury played their home opener at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
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May 12, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Kyara Linskens (31) reacts after a shot against the Minnesota Lynx in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Now, with their next game not until Friday, the Mercury are taking a much-needed rest before returning to the court â something head coach Nate Tibbetts said was extremely important.
âWeâve got to understand that every night in this league, youâve got to come to play,â he said postgame. âAnd I didnât think for 40 minutes we competed at the level that we needed to. I donât know if it was physical fatigue or mental fatigue. Three games in four nights is real to start the season. We had some good stretches, but we didnât have the composure to finish out the game down the stretch.â
It was not just the demanding schedule Phoenix had to manage, but also the integration of new faces into the rotation â including ValĂ©riane Ayayi, who was cleared by FIBA to play earlier that day.
âI feel like weâre one of the teams thatâs still kind of trying to work everyone back in,â DeWanna Bonner said postgame. âWeâve got a lot of foreigners. Weâre still missing [Monique Akoa-Makani], whoâs coming in soon, so weâve got to kind of get her integrated into things. So, yeah, just taking a breath, and everybody just, weâre here now.â
The Mercury have been one of the teams that have struggled to get a full roster on the court this season, with visa issues and prior commitments keeping key players away from the club. Combined with the condensed three-game stretch, Phoenix has been left trying to catch its breath.
Now, with a few days to regroup and readjust, the Mercury have time to make the necessary adjustments and get back in the win column.
May 12, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) shoots the ball against Minnesota Lynx forward Nia Coffey (12) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Mercury take on the Chicago Sky on Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m.