Phoenix Mercury defeat Toronto Tempo 89-80 in Toronto

Phoenix Mercury defeated Toronto Tempo 89-80 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, with Kahleah Copper leading the decisive stretch with 27 points as the visitors claimed the result in the fourth quarter. Toronto stayed level for long spells, but Phoenix’s edge from the line and late execution proved pivotal in this Women’s National Basketball Association fixture.

There were no goal scorers to track in this contest, but the rhythm of the match still turned on a few clear moments. Toronto matched Phoenix through the middle stages and went into the final period within touching distance after posting 22 points in each of the opening three quarters. The Tempo’s consistency kept them in the contest, especially with Julie Allemand directing possession smartly and Nyara Sabally supplying efficient scoring inside that balanced attack.

Yet the fourth quarter was where the Mercury separated themselves. Phoenix won the final period 24-14, tightening up defensively and repeatedly getting to the free-throw line. That proved a major difference across the evening: while Toronto made 12 three-pointers and finished at 46.3 percent from the floor, Phoenix compensated with 21 made free throws and enough half-court control to manage the closing minutes. Copper set the tone as the primary outlet, while DeWanna Bonner added authority on the glass with 11 rebounds.

Toronto will feel there was enough in its overall performance to take more from the fixture. The home side shared the ball well, finishing with 26 assists, and Allemand’s all-around line of 11 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists reflected how effectively the Tempo moved the ball. Isabelle Harrison added seven rebounds, and Toronto’s 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc kept pressure on Phoenix for much of the night.

Still, the Mercury handled the key situations more cleanly when the result was on the line. Phoenix shot 72.4 percent at the stripe, and those extra points gave the visitors breathing room whenever Toronto threatened to close the gap. The Mercury were not as fluent as the Tempo in pure playmaking terms, finishing with 16 assists, but they were more direct in late possessions and better equipped to turn contact into points.

Key performers

Phoenix Mercury: Kahleah Copper was the standout with 27 points, setting the standard in the closing stages as Phoenix took control. DeWanna Bonner contributed 11 rebounds and three assists in an influential two-way display.

Toronto Tempo: Nyara Sabally led the home side with 14 points, while Julie Allemand delivered one of the most complete performances of the match with 11 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

NerdSports Stat: Toronto hit two more three-pointers and recorded 10 more assists than Phoenix, but the Mercury still won by nine thanks largely to a 21-6 advantage in made free throws.

The result moves Phoenix to 7-13 overall and gives them a useful road win to build on, while Toronto drops to 9-10 after a fixture that slipped away in the final quarter. For the Mercury, this was the kind of composed away performance that can steady a season; for the Tempo, the focus now turns to converting strong ball movement into a full 40-minute finish in their next fixture.

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