PHOENIX — Kahleah Copper scored 28 points on her 31st birthday against her former team, Natasha Mack had her first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds and the Phoenix Mercury edged the Chicago Sky 83-79 on Thursday night.
In the last minute, Mack had two offensive rebounds and her career-high fifth block, Alyssa Thomas had two offensive rebounds and a basket and Satou Sabally clinched it with two free throws with six seconds left.
Thomas had 15 points and nine rebounds as the Mercury (24-14), in front of its 15th sellout, won its third straight, fifth of six and moved into a tie for third with six games to play.
The Mercury had 17 steals and 11 blocks and dealt the Sky (9-29) their 16th loss in 18 games.
Kia Nurse was 6-of-8 shooting with five 3-pointers to lead the Sky with 17 points. Angel Reese had 15 points and 20 rebounds, eight on the offensive end, and Kamilla Cardoso also had 15 points.
In just two seasons, Reese is in the top five for career rebounds for the Sky.
The Sky were 10 of 20 on 3s but 19 of 45 (42%) inside the arc. They also had 20 turnovers that were turned into 20 points.
The Sky led by as many as 11 in the first quarter before settling for a 22-17 lead. Copper, who played seven seasons for the Sky from 2017-23, had 10 points in the second quarter, eight in a 12-0 run as the Mercury outscored the Sky 20-8 to lead 37-30 at the half.
The Mercury led by as many as 10 in the third quarter, but the Sky kept coming back and trailed 61-55 entering the fourth.
Nurse hit a 3-pointer to start the final quarter but the Mercury reeled off six before the Sky came back, tying the game at 71 on another Nurse basket with 3:34 to play.
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