Rookie Shay Ciezki Scores 22 in Mercury Comeback Win

Undrafted rookie Shay Ciezki scored a career-high 22 points off the bench to spark the Phoenix Mercury’s 94-91 comeback victory over the Portland Fire in the teams’ first game back from the FIBA World Cup break. Emily Engstler led Portland with 21 points and five 3-pointers, while Holly Winterburn added 18, but Phoenix held on after Winterburn’s late 3-pointer cut the deficit to one. Alyssa Thomas contributed 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Phoenix, which won despite playing without several players who participated in the World Cup; both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.