The Phoenix Mercury brought back many familiar players for the 2026 season but the team still has chemistry issues to work through.
Some of those surfaced during the team's home opener, an 88-84 loss to the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday, May 12. It was the team's second straight loss, after a big opening-day win over defending champion Las Vegas.
The Mercury (1-2) held a slight edge with three minutes remaining, but the offense couldn’t hit the big shots and Lynx forwards Natasha Howard and Nia Coffey were controlling the boards.
DeWanna Bonner nearly gave Phoenix the lead with 52 seconds left, but her jumper popped in and out of the basket. Kahleah Copper tried to add to her 30-point performance with 25.6 seconds left, but Courtney Williams smothered her and forced a jump ball. Alyssa Thomas won the possession, but Bonner’s 3-point attempt was off.
Coffey then sunk a 3-pointer that sealed it for the Lynx (1-1).
Phoenix Mercury fplayers cheer from the bench as they take on the Minnesota Lynx at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury fguard Kahleah Copper (2) lays the ball up past Minnesota Lynx forward Nia Coffey (12) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) shoots the ball over Minnesota Lynx guard Eliska Hamzova (11) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) looks to drive in to the lane against the Minnesota Lynx at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) drives past Minnesota Lynx forward Antonia Delaere (8) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives past Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.1 / 6
Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury fplayers cheer from the bench as they take on the Minnesota Lynx at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury fplayers cheer from the bench as they take on the Minnesota Lynx at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury fguard Kahleah Copper (2) lays the ball up past Minnesota Lynx forward Nia Coffey (12) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) shoots the ball over Minnesota Lynx guard Eliska Hamzova (11) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) looks to drive in to the lane against the Minnesota Lynx at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) drives past Minnesota Lynx forward Antonia Delaere (8) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury face Minnesota Lynx in 2026 home opener
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives past Minnesota Lynx guard Olivia Miles (5) at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on May 12, 2026.
“I think we got some good looks at the basket, especially at the end, but I mean we just have to go back to the drawing board,” Bonner said. “I feel like our offense is a little choppy and we let that affect our defense, and that's what you can't do, no matter what. You have to rely on your defense, and that's what we usually do is play defense and we just weren’t connected tonight.”
Copper had one of her best games so far, as she burned the Lynx downhill and was 9-of-22 on field goals. Bonner and Thomas both scored in double figures, with 16 and 10 points, but the rest of the team didn’t see many shots fall through.
While the Lynx played small ball, it didn’t stop them from outrebounding the Mercury, 43-31.
Some of the connection issues stem from players missing training camp due to overseas commitments. Head coach Nate Tibbetts said the team hasn’t gotten to where he needs it because of the missing players.
Last season’s starting point guard, Monique Akoa Makani, hasn’t returned to the team and remains in France, while guard Valeriane Ayayi missed the first two games due to FIBA clearance.
“This is the first time that we've kind of come out of camp and not had everyone. So, I wish we were there. I don't think we're there, I didn't get that feeling tonight,” Tibbetts said.
“It might take us a little bit longer just to kind of figure out who we are just because we have had quite a bit of change here in the last week, but there's a lot of teams that have gone through that and so we need to keep working,'' he said. "Obviously, we played a good game in Vegas and have dropped the last two. I'm kind of disappointed. You want to protect home court, especially on opening night, and we're going to need to be better than we were tonight.”
Ayayi was eased into the lineup for her season debut against the Lynx, and logged fewer minutes than the other four starters, but she took risks with Alyssa Thomas and Bonner throughout her 17 minutes. The French guard showed some sharp outlet passes to Bonner, including a nice assist on the fast break at 5:23 in the third quarter.
To make way for Ayayi, burgeoning rookie Jovana Nogic, who scored 19 points in the May 9 win against the Aces, was the first bench option. Nogic made an impact defensively, but her offensive production declined with her minutes, as she missed all six field-goal attempts.
Until the rest of the team returns, players will continue to play out of position and Tibbetts will experiment with starting lineups and rotations.
With just three games under their belt, the Mercury, which made it to the WNBA Finals last season, are being patient given the circumstances.
“We’re still learning each other,” Copper said. “People are still learning the plays. Some of us only had three practices. It's just been tough, but we're going to figure it out. There's nothing more to say. We're going to figure it out. That's it.”
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury struggle with chemistry in home opener loss to Lynx
