Phoenix Mercury hold off Chicago Sky 91-83 as Jovana Nogic scores 27
Phoenix Mercury withstand Chicago Sky comeback in 91-83 victory; Jovana Nogic scored 27 and Nate Tibbetts’ team improved to 2-2 after a late Sky surge.
The Phoenix Mercury rode a 27-point night from rookie Jovana Nogic to a 91-83 victory over the Chicago Sky on Friday, holding off a late rally that erased a 17-point deficit. Phoenix led by as many as 17 in the second half and converted 37 of 41 free throws to close out the win, improving the Mercury’s record to 2-2. Chicago mounted a charge behind Rickea Jackson’s 29 points and briefly took the lead late, but Nogic, Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper combined for the decisive finishing sequence.
Nogic’s breakout performance anchors Phoenix Mercury
Jovana Nogic paced the Mercury with 27 points, showcasing a blend of perimeter shooting and aggressive drives that kept Phoenix ahead in key moments. The 28-year-old rookie from Serbia hit clutch free throws and contested plays down the stretch, finishing the game with four rebounds and two steals in the crucial closing minutes. Nogic’s scoring output was the centerpiece of a balanced Phoenix attack that featured significant contributions from veteran teammates.
Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper each added 17 points, providing veteran scoring and defensive presence when Chicago threatened a comeback. Thomas and Copper combined with Nogic for the final seven points of the game, supplying the offensive spark and defensive stops that sealed the Mercury’s win. The trio’s late possessions illustrated Phoenix’s ability to execute under pressure.
Chicago Sky erase 17-point deficit to force tense finish
The Sky staged a determined comeback after Phoenix built a commanding lead early in the second half, trimming a 17-point margin to force a one-point game in the final minutes. Chicago rallied behind Rickea Jackson, who finished with a game-high 29 points and a series of timely 3-pointers that shifted momentum in the third quarter and early fourth. Gabriela Jaquez added 13 points as the Sky chipped away at Phoenix’s lead with a mix of perimeter scoring and aggressive defense.
Chicago first took the lead late in the fourth, with Jackson’s 3 putting the Sky ahead 75-73 and later nudging them to an 80-79 edge with 3:49 remaining. Despite that surge, Chicago could not sustain the stand as Phoenix tightened defensively and converted free throws in the final stretch. The comeback highlighted the Sky’s offensive depth but also exposed execution gaps in late-game defense.
In-game incidents and injuries shaped momentum
The game included a technical foul on Chicago coach Tyler Marsh in the second quarter that led to a Phoenix free throw and contributed to a momentum swing before halftime. Phoenix capitalized on the sequence, pushing a halftime edge to 45-35 after a free throw by Nogic following the technical. That exchange helped the Mercury grow a sizable lead before the Sky mounted their comeback.
Skylar Diggins exited with an eye injury in the second quarter and did not score before leaving the game, limiting Chicago’s backcourt options and altering rotation patterns. Kamilla Cardoso, a key interior presence, was held to seven points as Phoenix’s defense prioritized reducing her touches in the paint. Those absences and adjustments factored into Chicago’s ability to claw back but also made sustaining defensive pressure more difficult late.
Free-throw disparity and finishing efficiency decide outcome
Free-throw shooting proved decisive as Phoenix converted 37 of 41 attempts from the line, while Chicago went 19 of 23 in a separate but less impactful total. The Mercury’s efficiency at the stripe in the closing minutes turned several marginal possessions into scoring opportunities and prevented the Sky from fully capitalizing on turnovers. Phoenix’s ability to draw fouls and finish at the line helped the team maintain separation when field-goal opportunities were limited.
Phoenix also executed in late-possession situations, converting crucial shots and defensive stops in the final two minutes after Chicago had rallied to within one. The Mercury’s ball security and choice of high-percentage plays contrasted with a few rushed looks by the Sky that failed to alter the scoreboard. Those small margins ultimately determined a one-possession differential in the final period.
Schedules and immediate implications for both teams
The win gives the Phoenix Mercury a split through their first four games and a measure of momentum heading into a home stretch that includes a Tuesday matchup with the Toronto Liberty. Coach Nate Tibbetts, celebrating his 49th birthday, saw his team answer a late test and close a winnable home contest against a hungry Sky squad. Phoenix will look to build consistency on both ends of the floor as the season’s opening weeks unfold.
Chicago, now 2-1, will cap its season-opening four-game road trip in Minnesota on Sunday, seeking to capitalize on the confidence from a ferocious late rally despite the loss. The Sky can take positives from Jackson’s scoring outburst and Jaquez’s supporting production, but Chicago must manage rotations and the availability of key contributors such as Diggins moving forward. The road trip offers opportunities to refine execution under pressure before returning home.
The Phoenix Mercury’s victory combined veteran scoring, free-throw efficiency and timely defense to withstand Chicago’s late surge, leaving both teams with early-season takeaways to address as they move into the next week of play.
