Copper scores 23 of her 30 points in the 1st half as the Mercury race past the Storm, 90-67

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Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper celebrates a 3-pointer against the Seattle Storm during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper, left, grabs a rebound in front of Seattle Storm center Awa Fam, right, during the first half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) — Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper celebrates a 3-pointer against the Seattle Storm during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, July 2, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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11:09 PM on Thursday, July 2

The Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — Kahleah Copper scored 23 of her 30 points in the first half, Valeriane Ayayi added 18 points and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Seattle Storm 90-67 on Thursday night for their third straight victory.

Copper was 9 of 12 from the field in the first half to help Phoenix (8-13) build a 55-36 lead. Copper scored her first points of the second half with 8:39 left for a 75-60 lead. She finished 12 of 21 from the field.

Lexi Held had 17 points and a career-high five 3-pointers for Phoenix. Alyssa Thomas had nine points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, and DeWanna Bonner was held to six points on 3-of-10 shooting.

Awa Fam and Natisha Hiedeman each scored 13 points for Seattle (5-16), which dropped to 1-9 away from home this season. Flau’jae Johnson and Jade Melbourne had 11 apiece. Seattle was outrebounded 40-29.

Ezi Magbegor made her season debut for Seattle after missing the first 20 games with a foot injury. She had eight points in 17 minutes.

Up next

Storm: Host Portland on Saturday night.

Mercury: Host Chicago on Tuesday night.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball