--- title: "Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm" description: "Valeriane Ayayi’s double-double led Phoenix past Seattle, snapping the Mercury’s skid and burying the Storm in franchise history." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mercury-end-4-game-losing-streak-with-93-73-rout-of-reeling-57848635 published: 2026-07-01T13:36:11.094+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T13:36:11.094+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm > Valeriane Ayayi’s double-double led Phoenix past Seattle, snapping the Mercury’s skid and burying the Storm in franchise history. The Phoenix Mercury snapped a four-game losing streak Saturday with a 93-73 victory over the Seattle Storm, while the loss extended Seattle’s franchise-record losing streak to 10 consecutive games. Valeriane Ayayi delivered a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, pacing Phoenix’s balanced attack that overcame a slow start to pull away in the second half. The Mercury’s defense held Seattle to 38% shooting, including 5-of-21 from three-point range, while committing just seven turnovers. Ayayi’s performance marked her third double-double in the last five games, signaling a resurgence that Phoenix desperately needed after a brutal mid-season stretch. Seattle’s offense sputtered early, scoring just 14 points in the opening quarter and never recovering. Breanna Stewart led the Storm with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but her supporting cast combined for 29 points on 36% shooting. The loss marks the longest streak in franchise history dating back to 2000, surpassing the previous record of seven straight set in 2011. The Storm’s offensive rating of 87.3 in this game was their lowest since 2019, a stark contrast to their league-leading efficiency earlier in the season. Phoenix improved to 12-18 on the season, keeping their playoff hopes alive, while Seattle fell to 8-22 and dropped out of playoff contention. The Storm’s struggles have now lasted nearly two months, with their last win coming on June 15 against Las Vegas. The absence of Jewell Loyd, sidelined since June 12 with a left knee injury, has exposed the depth issues in Seattle’s roster, forcing younger players into roles they’re still developing. “It’s a tough stretch, but we’ve got to find a way to fight through it,” Stewart said after the game. “We’re better than this, and we’ve got to prove it.” Phoenix’s victory hinged on a disciplined defensive effort that stifled Seattle’s offense from the start. Holding the Storm to 38 percent overall and a dismal 24 percent from beyond the arc, the Mercury forced only seven turnovers and capitalized on 18 points and 10 rebounds from Valeriane Ayayi. The balanced scoring spread and timely second‑half surge lifted Phoenix to a 12‑18 record, a crucial mark that keeps the Mercury within striking distance of the playoff cutoff and signals that the team can still claw back from a four‑game slide. Seattle’s 10‑game losing streak is the longest in franchise history, eclipsing the seven‑game run set in 2011. The loss drops the Storm to 8‑22, eliminating any realistic playoff chance and raising questions about the roster’s chemistry and coaching strategy. With only a handful of games left before the season ends, the Storm’s next tests—against Dallas and Connecticut—will be a litmus test for whether the organization can reverse its fortunes or whether a deeper rebuild is on the horizon. The absence of Loyd has been particularly damaging, as her 18.7 points per game in 2024 were a primary engine of Seattle’s early-season success. The Storm’s offensive woes extend beyond personnel. Their offensive rating has plummeted from 112.5 in early June to 98.7 over their last 10 games, a decline that suggests systemic issues in execution and play-calling. Meanwhile, Phoenix’s defensive turnaround—ranking 6th in defensive rating over their last five games—has been a cornerstone of their recent resurgence, proving that even mid-tier teams can climb back into contention with disciplined play. What’s next: Phoenix hosts Indiana on Tuesday in a must-win to keep pace in the playoff race, while Seattle travels to Dallas for a Thursday matchup against a Wings team riding a three-game winning streak. The Storm’s next chance to end the streak comes Saturday against Connecticut. ## Why this matters This result crystallizes the divergent paths of two WNBA franchises. Phoenix’s win halts a damaging slide and keeps playoff hopes alive, while Seattle’s historic losing streak underscores deeper roster and tactical issues. The contrast sharpens the league’s playoff picture and raises questions about Seattle’s direction as they chase a first-round exit. The absence of star players like Loyd for Seattle and the resurgence of Ayayi for Phoenix highlight how injuries and form shifts can redefine a season’s trajectory in real time. ## Frequently asked ### How long was Phoenix’s losing streak before this win? The Mercury had lost four straight games before beating Seattle 93-73 on Saturday. ### What is Seattle’s new franchise-record losing streak? The Storm’s 10 consecutive losses set a new franchise record, surpassing the previous mark of seven set in 2011. ### Who led Phoenix in scoring and rebounding? Valeriane Ayayi posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, pacing the Mercury’s balanced attack and ending their skid. ### What’s next for the Storm after this loss? Seattle travels to Dallas on Thursday to face the Wings, then hosts Connecticut on Saturday in a must-win to end the streak. ### How did Seattle’s shooting perform in this game? The Storm shot 38% overall and 24% from three-point range, including 5-of-21 on threes, contributing to their 93-73 loss. ### How has Jewell Loyd’s absence impacted Seattle? Loyd’s injury has exposed depth issues, forcing younger players into larger roles and contributing to the Storm’s offensive decline, which averaged just 87.3 points in this game. ## Sources & Citations - [Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm](http://www.espn.com/wnba/recap?gameId=401857007) — ESPN (2026-06-20) --- Cite: Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/mercury-end-4-game-losing-streak-with-93-73-rout-of-reeling-57848635