The Wings used a 32-point first quarter to take a lead it never lost Thursday, a victory that evened the season series at one game apiece after the Mercury withstood a 35-point performance from Paige Bueckers in a 93-80 win on June 11.

Aziaha James scored 20 of her 28 points in the first half, Paige Bueckers added 23 and the Dallas Wings started four rookies in a 98-89 victory over the Phoenix Mercury.

With the team missing several notable veterans due to injury including Arike Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist, and DiJonai Carrington, Wings head coach Chris Koclanes was forced to pivot to a starting lineup that included four rookies for Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Mercury.