Chicago City Wire

The Chicago Sky lost to the Phoenix Mercury, 79-83, in a close game on Thursday, August 28. Kia Nurse tied her season high with five three-pointers and came off the bench to help keep the Sky in contention against one of the league’s top teams. Nurse tied the game late in the fourth quarter with a long two-pointer against her former team, but Phoenix secured the win with season highs in blocks and steals.

“Tonight, it’s a credit to her for staying the course,” said Tyler Marsh about Nurse’s performance. “Kia has been good for us all year in terms of her work ethic, her professionalism, the effort that she gives night in and night out, there’s no replacing that. And so I continue to be proud of Kia.”

Former Sky player Kahleah Copper led all scorers with 28 points on her birthday and shot 56.2% from the field. Natasha Mack posted her first career double-double for Phoenix with 10 points and 12 rebounds, along with a career-high five blocks.

Chicago started strong, leading by as much as 11 points in the first quarter but only managed eight points in the second quarter. Phoenix set a league record with 17 steals and also had 11 blocks during the game.

“Good teams, they don’t lay down,” Angel Reese said of Phoenix. “We were up I think 17-8, like we got comfortable. We can’t get comfortable no matter what.”

Both teams increased their scoring after halftime. The Sky finished shooting 50% from three-point range and 44.6% overall from the field; Phoenix shot 40.8% from the field and made 35.3% of its three-point attempts.

Chicago defended MVP candidate Alyssa Thomas well for most of the game but she scored key baskets late to help secure Phoenix's victory. Thomas ended with 15 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Nurse led Chicago scorers with 17 points while making five of seven shots from beyond the arc and was one of four players on her team to reach double figures.

Angel Reese continued her strong play by recording her league-leading 21st double-double this season—finishing with 15 points and a season-high 20 rebounds—and made important plays in the fourth quarter to keep Chicago close.

Kamilla Cardoso contributed 15 points and seven rebounds for Chicago while Rachel Banham added another scoring boost with 13 points including three three-pointers.