WNBA · Final

Phoenix Mercury Dominates JAPAN in WNBA Matchup

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Mortgage Matchup Center

Phoenix Mercury 86, JAPAN 60, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won JAPAN vs Phoenix Mercury?

Phoenix Mercury beat JAPAN 86-60 at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 29, 2026.

In a commanding performance, the Phoenix Mercury defeated JAPAN with a final score of 86-60 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. This victory improves the Mercury's record to 3-0 in the current season, while JAPAN remains winless at 0-3. The game showcased the Mercury's ability to capitalize on their home advantage, as they have maintained a strong home record of 4-2 in their last ten games, while JAPAN has struggled away from home with an 0-1 record.

The Mercury entered the game on a one-game winning streak, having recently triumphed over the Chicago Sky with a score of 108-104. Their scoring average over the last ten games stands at 85.3 points per game, although they have allowed an average of 86.6 points, indicating a need for improvement on defense. In contrast, JAPAN's recent form has been less favorable, as they lost their only recent outing against the Las Vegas Aces, 78-94, resulting in an average of 78.0 points scored and 94.0 points allowed in their last game.

In terms of home versus away performance, the Mercury have shown resilience at home, while JAPAN's away struggles have been evident. The Mercury's last five games reflect a record of 1-4, with an average of 89.2 points scored and 94.2 points allowed, which highlights their inconsistency despite the victory against JAPAN.

The game was impacted by several injuries for the Mercury, as Kelsey Plum (lower leg), Kahleah Copper (ankle), Valeriane Ayayi, Kyara Linskens, and Jovana Nogic were all sidelined. These absences could have affected the team's depth and strategy, but they managed to secure a decisive win regardless.

The betting market had the Mercury favored, with odds attributed to the provider not specified in the block. The conditions at the Mortgage Matchup Center appeared favorable for the home team, contributing to their strong performance.

Throughout the game, viewers witnessed a series of scoring plays that highlighted the Mercury's offensive capabilities. In the fourth quarter, Shay Ciezki made a notable 23-foot three-point jumper, assisted by Aisha Sheppard, which contributed to the Mercury's lead. Additionally, Azusa Asahina of JAPAN made free throws that brought her team to a total of 60 points, but it was not enough to close the gap.

As the game concluded, the Mercury's ability to maintain control and execute their plays effectively was evident, showcasing their potential as a competitive team in the league. With this victory, the Mercury will look to build momentum, while JAPAN will need to regroup and address their challenges moving forward.

Injury report

Kelsey PlumOutLower LegPhoenix Mercury
Kahleah CopperOutAnklePhoenix Mercury
Valeriane AyayiOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
Kyara LinskensOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
Jovana NogicOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury

Leaders

PointsKahleah Copper17Phoenix Mercury
AssistsAlyssa Thomas9Phoenix Mercury
ReboundsNatasha Mack9Phoenix Mercury
PointsKokoro Tanaka14JAPAN
AssistsNanami Tsuno3JAPAN
ReboundsNorika Konno6JAPAN

Recent form

Phoenix Mercury

Last 10: 5-5Streak W185.3 scored · 86.6 allowed per game4-2 at home

W108-104vs Chicago SkyApr 25
L86-97vs Las Vegas AcesOct 11
L88-90vs Las Vegas AcesOct 9
L78-91at Las Vegas AcesOct 5
L86-89at Las Vegas AcesOct 4
W86-81vs Minnesota LynxSep 29
W84-76vs Minnesota LynxSep 27
W89-83at Minnesota LynxSep 23
L69-82at Minnesota LynxSep 21
W79-73vs New York LibertySep 20

JAPAN

1 game: 0-1Streak L178 scored · 94 allowed per game0-1 away

L78-94at Las Vegas AcesApr 27

Standings

Team	Games behind	Lost	Streak	Win %	Won
Minnesota	-	9	L2	.775	31
Golden State	2	11	W4	.725	29
Las Vegas	4	13	W3	.675	27
Dallas	7	16	W4	.600	24
Portland	15	24	L1	.400	16
Los Angeles	16	25	W2	.375	15
Phoenix	17	26	W1	.350	14
Seattle	23	32	L1	.200	8

Box score

Stat	JAPAN	Phoenix Mercury
Field goals	20-68	29-65
Field goal %	29	45
Three-pointers	9-44	10-29
Three-point %	20	34
Free throws	11-14	18-20
Free throw %	79	90
Rebounds	27	43
Offensive rebounds	12	12
Defensive rebounds	15	31
Assists	14	22
Steals	9	8
Blocks	5	3
Turnovers	13	19
Team turnovers	1	2
Technical fouls	1	2
Technical fouls, total	1	2
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	13	19
Fast-break points	9	7
Points in the paint	14	36
Fouls	25	16
Largest lead	0	27
Lead changes	0	0
Time in front	0	97

How the scoring went

2nd Quarter26-48Kokoro Tanaka makes running layup
2nd Quarter26-50Alyssa Thomas makes 14-foot jumper
2nd Quarter28-50Minami Yabu makes 12-foot two point shot (Kokoro Tanaka assists)
2nd Quarter28-51Sami Whitcomb makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Quarter28-52Sami Whitcomb makes free throw 2 of 2
3rd Quarter30-52Nanami Tsuno makes 9-foot turnaround jump shot
3rd Quarter33-52Nanako Todo makes 25-foot three point jumper (Nanami Tsuno assists)
3rd Quarter36-52Mona Tateyama makes 23-foot running jump shot (Mai Yamamoto assists)
3rd Quarter39-52Mai Yamamoto makes 28-foot three point jumper (Azusa Asahina assists)
3rd Quarter39-54DeWanna Bonner makes 1-foot layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
3rd Quarter39-57Sami Whitcomb makes 24-foot three point jumper (Kahleah Copper assists)
3rd Quarter39-59Natasha Mack makes two point shot
3rd Quarter42-59Mai Yamamoto makes 22-foot three point jumper (Suzuno Higuchi assists)
3rd Quarter42-61Kahleah Copper makes layup (Natasha Mack assists)
3rd Quarter42-64Kahleah Copper makes 24-foot running jump shot (Alyssa Thomas assists)
3rd Quarter45-64Mai Yamamoto makes 26-foot three pointer
3rd Quarter45-66Morgan Maly makes two point shot
4th Quarter46-66Mai Yamamoto makes technical free throw
4th Quarter47-66Nanako Todo makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter48-66Nanako Todo makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter48-68Shay Ciezki makes driving layup (Aisha Sheppard assists)
4th Quarter48-69Shay Ciezki makes free throw 1 of 1
4th Quarter48-71Sha Carter makes 1-foot two point shot (Shay Ciezki assists)
4th Quarter48-73Sha Carter makes running layup (Shay Ciezki assists)
4th Quarter48-74Sha Carter makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter48-75Sha Carter makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter50-75Nanako Todo makes driving layup (Nanami Tsuno assists)
4th Quarter50-77Lauren Jensen makes 1-foot layup (Jillian Alleyne assists)
4th Quarter53-77Kokoro Tanaka makes 23-foot three point jumper (Nanami Tsuno assists)
4th Quarter53-78Shay Ciezki makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter53-79Shay Ciezki makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter54-79Kokoro Tanaka makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter55-79Kokoro Tanaka makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter55-82Shay Ciezki makes 23-foot three point jumper (Aisha Sheppard assists)
4th Quarter58-82Nanami Tsuno makes 25-foot three pointer
4th Quarter58-84Jillian Alleyne makes layup (Shay Ciezki assists)
4th Quarter59-84Azusa Asahina makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter60-84Azusa Asahina makes free throw 2 of 2
4th Quarter60-85Aisha Sheppard makes free throw 1 of 2
4th Quarter60-86Aisha Sheppard makes free throw 2 of 2

Venue

Mortgage Matchup CenterPhoenix, AZ
OfficialsRyan Sassano, Toni Patillo, Agon Abazi