Mercury hopes to continue progress against Wings

The Phoenix Mercury return home with plenty of momentum as they take on the struggling Dallas Wings on Wednesday afternoon in the second game between the teams in eight days.

The Mercury (11-10) have won two straight games, including an 84-78 contest at Los Angeles on Sunday. Natasha Cloud scored a career-high 31 points in that victory, including the game-tying basket and two free throws in the final minute.

Kahleah Copper added 25 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix, which played without injured Diana Taurasi (leg) and Rebecca Allen (back).

“You trust your work ethic, you trust the work you put in,” Cloud said. “(In the win over Los Angeles), I felt really comfortable. Also knowing I had to take a little more shots with (Taurasi) and (Allen) out … We just had to go out and get the win.”

After Wednesday, Phoenix’s next five games are away, including its last three before the WNBA takes its monthlong break for the Olympics.

The Wings (5-17) travel to Arizona after a 104-85 loss in Las Vegas on Sunday. Dallas, which has struggled with injuries, has lost four of its last five games and has won just two games since May 26.

Odyssey Sims led the Wings with a season-high 25 points, while Natasha Howard had 14 points and eight rebounds and Arike Ogunbowale scored 13 points, including nine in the first quarter. Dallas trailed just 51-48 at the break and trailed by eight points early in the fourth quarter before running out of steam.

“You can see the determination in every player, and it shows on the bench,” Dallas coach Latricia Trammell said. “They continue to compete at a high level and execute at a high level. We brought a lot of energy and I’m really proud of that.”

The Mercury have won two of three games against the Wings this season, including a 104-96 road victory on July 3. Copper scored 34 points and Brittney Griner had 24 for Phoenix in that game, while Natasha Howard had 36 points and 11 rebounds in a loss.

–Field level media