The Phoenix Mercury finally found their footing in a much-needed 91-83 win over the Chicago Sky on May 15, snapping an early-season identity crisis that had fans and coaches searching for answers.

Head coach Nate Tibbetts admitted his team was still searching for its identity after a rocky start, with point guard Monique Akoa Makani stuck in France and guard Sami Whitcomb sidelined with a knee injury. But against the Sky, the Mercury (2-2) showed signs of life, combining improved defense with smoother offensive flow at Mortgage Matchup Center.

The game came down to the wire, with Chicago rookie Rickea Jackson pouring in 13 points in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 84-83 with two minutes left. But the Mercury clamped down when it mattered most, closing the game on a 7-0 run to seal the victory.

"I thought there was a really good play that might not show up on the box score when AT falls down when Rickea is getting ready to shoot, and Noemie (Brochant) comes over and stunts at her," Tibbetts said. "To me, that's trust. Offensively, we did a better job with our spacing and we got downhill and AT made some plays for us."

The win was a far cry from the Mercury's previous outing against the Minnesota Lynx, where late-game execution fell short. But with key contributions from veterans and rookies alike, Phoenix is starting to build the chemistry that could define their season.

For a team still finding its way, this was a step in the right direction—and a reminder that even in a tough league, the Mercury have the pieces to compete.