FILE - Portland Fire guard Holly Winterburn dribbles the ball against the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Aug. 16, 2026, in Phoenix.
Ross D. Franklin / AP
Shay Ciezki had 22 points off the bench and the Phoenix Mercury rallied in the fourth quarter for a 94-91 victory over the Portland Fire on Thursday night in the teams’ first game back from the FIBA World Cup break.
Emily Engstler had 21 points and five 3-pointers for the expansion Fire, who have lost five of their last six. Holly Winterburn added 18 points.
Both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
The Fire (16-25) were without Carla Leite, who won the silver medal with France at the World Cup, as well as Megan DiLeo, who played for third-place Spain. Frieda Buhner, with hosts Germany, and Amy Okonkwo, captain of Nigeria, played.
The Mercury (15-26) were without Kahleah Cooper, who won gold with the United States, along with Valeriane Ayayi (France) and Kyara Linskens (Belgium). The Mercury were also missing Kelsey Plum, who has a left calf injury.
Bridget Carleton did not play for the Fire because of an ankle injury.
Phoenix pulled ahead in the fourth, going up 82-79 after Alyssa Thomas hit a pair of free throws with 4:58 left. Sami Whitcomb’s pullup jumper extended the Mercury’s lead.
Down 90-88, the Fire got the ball on a Mercury shot clock violation, but Karlie Samuelson missed a 3-point attempt with 21.4 seconds left and Natasha Mack made free throws for Phoenix.
Winterburn’s 3-pointer for Portland with 4.3 left cut gap to 92-91, and the Mercury closed it out with free throws.
Up next
Mercury: Visit Dallas on Saturday.
Fire: Play Friday at Golden State.
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