WEATHER ALERT

Ciezki has 22 points in the Mercury’s 94-91 victory over the Fire

Advertisement

Advertise with us

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shay Ciezki had 22 points off the bench and the Phoenix Mercury rallied in the fourth quarter for a 94-91 victory over the Portland Fire on Thursday night in the teams' first game back from the FIBA World Cup break.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Shay Ciezki had 22 points off the bench and the Phoenix Mercury rallied in the fourth quarter for a 94-91 victory over the Portland Fire on Thursday night in the teams’ first game back from the FIBA World Cup break.

Emily Engstler had 21 points and five 3-pointers for the expansion Fire, who have lost five of their last six. Holly Winterburn added 18 points.

Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held, left, passes the ball away from Washington Mystics guard Alicia Florez during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held, left, passes the ball away from Washington Mystics guard Alicia Florez during the second half of a WNBA basketball game, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

The Fire (16-25) were without Carla Leite, who won the silver medal with France at the World Cup, as well as Megan DiLeo, who played for third-place Spain. Frieda Buhner, with hosts Germany, and Amy Okonkwo, captain of Nigeria, played.

The Mercury (15-26) were without Kahleah Cooper, who won gold with the United States, along with Valeriane Ayayi (France) and Kyara Linskens (Belgium). The Mercury was also missing Kelsey Plum, who has a left calf injury.

Bridget Carleton did not play for the Fire because of an ankle injury.

Phoenix pulled ahead in the fourth, going up 82-79 after Alyssa Thomas hit a pair of free throws with 4:58 left. Sami Whitcomb’s pullup jumper extended the Mercury’s lead.

Down 90-88, the Fire got the ball on a Mercury shot clock violation, but Karlie Samuelson missed a 3-point attempt with 21.4 seconds left and Natasha Mack made free throws for Phoenix.

Winterburn’s 3-pointer for Portland with 4.3 left cut gap to 92-91, and the Mercury closed it out with free throws.

Up next

Mercury: Visit Dallas on Saturday.

Fire: Play Friday at Golden State.

___

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Report Error Submit a Tip

Basketball

LOAD BASKETBALL ARTICLES