Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) celebrates as LA Sparks guard Rae Burrell (12) reacts in the first half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
LOS ANGELES — The Phoenix Mercury’s 94-87 win over the Los Angeles Sparks concluded a tough five-game road trip and was highlighted by forward Noémie Brochant’s career night, putting her in elite rookie company alongside Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark.
Phoenix had been on a three-game skid coming into Los Angeles, with tough losses in the eastern part of the country before returning west looking to end the trip on a high note. Brochant helped deliver that high note with one of the best performances of the rookie’s young career.
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Brochant’s efficiency was the difference, as she repeatedly found openings in the Sparks’ defense and converted her opportunities to keep the Mercury within striking distance when Los Angeles controlled stretches of the game. She finished her night with a career-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting and five critical steals.
Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) and forward Noemie Brochant (1) celebrate as LA Sparks guard Rae Burrell (12) reacts in the first half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The rookie now joins Clark as the most recent rookies to record 20-plus points and five-plus steals in a game, with Fever guard accomplishing the feat in 2024. Brochant is the first rookie in Mercury franchise history to do so.
Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) shoots the ball against LA Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) in the first half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Alyssa Thomas added 16 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for Phoenix, while Kahleah Copper scored 18. The Mercury shot 52% from the field and made 9 of 25 3-pointers, overcoming 24 turnovers to escape with the victory.
The win moves Phoenix to 13-22 and gives the Mercury a much-needed result in a season that has offered little margin for error. More importantly, Brochant’s emergence in recent games, culminating in Tuesday’s performance, provides hope that she can become another scoring option alongside Thomas and Copper.
Aug 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi (11) shoots the ball against LA Sparks guard Chance Gray (2) in the first half at the Galen Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Mercury return home to begin a five-game homestand, starting Sunday, Aug. 16, against the Portland Fire at 4 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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