Phoenix Mercury at Dallas Wings
· Women's National Basketball AssociationPhoenix tops Dallas 83-72 in first game without Charles
The Mercury announced earlier Saturday that they have parted ways with former MVP Tina Charles after just 18 games.
“After discussions with Tina and her agent, it was best for both parties to go our separate ways at this time,” Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said. “Due to circumstances both in and out of our control, our season has not gone according to our plan, and we will continue to pursue all avenues for improvement.”
Charles, the 2021 scoring champion, signed a one-year deal with Phoenix in February. The Mercury have played the whole season without All-Star center Brittney Griner, who is being detained in Russia on drug charges.
Diamond DeShields came off the bench to post 16 points and 10 rebounds for Phoenix (7-12). Sophie Cunningham added 14 points.
Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas (9-10) with 25 points. Isabelle Harrison had 15 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 5:26 left in the game and the Wings trailing 66-65. Dallas fell to 4-6 at home.
Cunningham hit two 3-pointers and Diggins-Smith capped a 13-2 run with a three-point play to close out the first half and get the Mercury within 45-44.
Regular Season Series
Series tied 2-2
Recent Plays
| 4th 0.0 |  |
End of Game | 83 - 72 |
| 4th 0.0 | |
End of the 4th Quarter | 83 - 72 |
| 4th 3.9 |  |
Arike Ogunbowale makes free throw 2 of 2 | 83 - 72 |
| 4th 3.9 |  |
Sam Thomas enters the game for Skylar Diggins-Smith | 83 - 71 |
| 4th 3.9 | |
Sophie Cunningham enters the game for Diana Taurasi | 83 - 71 |
Statistics
 PHX |
 DAL |
|
|---|---|---|
| 29-69 | FG | 29-67 |
| 42 | Field Goal % | 43 |
| 6-26 | 3PT | 4-21 |
| 23 | Three Point % | 19 |
| 19-24 | FT | 10-21 |
| 79 | Free Throw % | 48 |
| 38 | Rebounds | 38 |
| 7 | Offensive Rebounds | 6 |
| 31 | Defensive Rebounds | 32 |
| 16 | Assists | 21 |
| 7 | Steals | 3 |
| 4 | Blocks | 4 |
| 9 | Turnovers | 14 |
| 1 | Team Turnovers | 1 |
| 10 | Total Turnovers | 15 |
| 2 | Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 2 | Total Technical Fouls | 1 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 8 | Points Conceded Off Turnovers | 20 |
| 16 | Fast Break Points | 8 |
| 42 | Points in Paint | 40 |
| 25 | Fouls | 24 |
| 12 | Largest Lead | 12 |
Game Information
Location: Arlington, TX
Attendance: 4,240 · Capacity:
2025-26 Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Golden State |
- | 0 | W1 | 1 | 1 |
 Los Angeles |
- | 0 | W1 | 1 | 1 |
 Minnesota |
- | 0 | W1 | 1 | 1 |
 Phoenix |
- | 0 | W1 | 1 | 1 |
 Dallas |
0.5 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 |
 Las Vegas |
0.5 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 |
 Portland |
0.5 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 |
 Seattle |
1 | 1 | L1 | 0 | 0 |
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