Portland FirevsPhoenix Mercury
POR 88/PHX 85
Things to say
The Portland Fire beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-85 on the road.
01
opener
Fire went into Phoenix and stole one, 88-85. Came down to the wire. Portland just wanted it more late.
02
key player
Carla Leite was the best player on the floor, 23 and 5. Rookie or not, she's got buckets and ice in her veins.
03
hot take
Phoenix is a .500 team pretending to be a contender. That home loss to an expansion club tells you everything.
04
deep cut
Alyssa Thomas quietly stuffed the sheet again, 11 boards and 9 dimes. One assist from a triple-double and it still wasn't enough.
05
exit
We'll see if the Fire can back it up, but that's a real signature win. On to the next one.
The recap
Portland went into Phoenix and stole one, 88-85, in a nailbiter that came down to the wire. Carla Leite ran the show for the Fire, dropping 23 and dishing 5 while looking like the best player on the floor.
DeWanna Bonner matched her with 23 and Alyssa Thomas stuffed the sheet with a near triple-double, 9 dimes and 11 boards, but the Mercury just couldn't get the buckets when it mattered. Phoenix falls to 13-23 and took the L at home, while Portland's kids keep growing up fast.