--- title: "Mercury edge Storm in WNBA shootout" description: "Phoenix’s bench outscored Seattle late while Breanna Stewart and Skylar Diggins-Smith traded clutch plays in a fast-paced WNBA thriller." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/phoenix-mercury-vs-seattle-storm-game-highlights-ed2d5735 published: 2026-07-03T06:08:54.826+00:00 updated: 2026-07-03T06:08:54.826+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Mercury edge Storm in WNBA shootout > Phoenix’s bench outscored Seattle late while Breanna Stewart and Skylar Diggins-Smith traded clutch plays in a fast-paced WNBA thriller. The Phoenix Mercury held off the Seattle Storm 94–90 in a high-octane WNBA clash that featured 20 combined turnovers and 38 fast-break points. Phoenix jumped out to a 12–0 run in the first quarter, led by Skylar Diggins-Smith’s 15 first-half points, but Seattle answered with a 10–0 spurt to tie it at 20 late in the second. Breanna Stewart countered with a 4–0 run to put the Storm up 44–42 at halftime, finishing the half with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The third quarter flipped the script. A 12–2 Mercury run, sparked by Sophie Cunningham’s 8 points in the frame, turned a 65–64 deficit into a 77–69 lead entering the fourth. Seattle clawed back to within 88–86 with 2:12 left, but Diggins-Smith answered with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to seal the win. The Mercury’s bench outscored Seattle’s reserves 22–10, with Kia Nurse leading the charge at 11 points off the pine. Stewart finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Diggins-Smith logged 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. “They made big shots when it mattered,” Storm coach Noelle Quinn said after the loss. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t get the stops we needed down the stretch.” What’s next: Both teams head into the final week of the regular season with playoff spots secured but seeding still up for grabs. Phoenix (24–10) hosts Indiana on August 15, while Seattle (23–11) travels to Las Vegas on the same night. ## Why this matters This game underscored the WNBA’s tight parity and star-driven outcomes, where bench depth and clutch execution can decide games between title contenders. With playoff positioning still fluid, every possession carries amplified stakes as the league’s postseason picture sharpens. ## Frequently asked ### Who won the Mercury vs. Storm game? The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Seattle Storm 94–90 in a high-scoring WNBA matchup. ### How did Skylar Diggins-Smith perform? Diggins-Smith scored 28 points with 5 rebounds and 6 assists, leading Phoenix’s offense and hitting key shots late. ### What was the bench impact in the game? Phoenix’s reserves outscored Seattle’s bench 22–10, with Kia Nurse contributing 11 points off the pine. ### How many turnovers were there in total? The teams combined for 20 turnovers, fueling a fast-paced game with 38 fast-break points. ### What’s next for both teams? Phoenix hosts Indiana on August 15, while Seattle travels to Las Vegas the same night, with playoff seeding still at stake. ### Who led Seattle in scoring? Breanna Stewart paced the Storm with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. ## Sources & Citations - [Phoenix Mercury vs. Seattle Storm - Game Highlights](https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/49255235/phoenix-mercury-vs-seattle-storm-game-highlights) — ESPN (2026-07-03) --- Cite: Mercury edge Storm in WNBA shootout. Sportopod, 2026-07-03. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/phoenix-mercury-vs-seattle-storm-game-highlights-ed2d5735