Shay Ciezki Career-High 22 Points Lift Phoenix Mercury Past Fire
Shay Ciezki’s career-high 22 points helped the Phoenix Mercury overcome the Portland Fire in a 92-91 WNBA victory, with the rookie guard producing a remarkable third-quarter scoring burst. Ciezki came off the bench and made five of eight field-goal attempts while going 9-for-9 from the free-throw line in 21 minutes.
The Phoenix Mercury trailed by more than 10 points before Ciezki’s scoring changed the rhythm of the game. Her performance gave Phoenix the push needed to turn a tight contest in its favor during the league’s return.
The biggest stretch came in the third quarter, when Ciezki scored 17 points by herself. That became the highest-scoring third quarter by a Phoenix rookie, giving the Phoenix Mercury a much-needed offensive lift after the team had struggled to close the gap earlier in the game.
Ciezki’s scoring was matched by a strong Portland response. Emily Engstler led the Fire with 21 points and five three-pointers, while Holly Winterburn contributed 18 points. Portland stayed within striking distance despite losing control of the game for a stretch after halftime.
The Phoenix Mercury vs Portland Fire matchup went down to the final seconds. Portland hit a late three-pointer to cut Phoenix’s advantage to 92-91 with 4.3 seconds remaining, but Phoenix made its final free throws to protect the narrow win.
The result moved Phoenix to 15-26 for the season, while Portland dropped to 16-25. Neither team remains in contention for the postseason, making Ciezki’s individual performance one of the main developments from the game.
The Shay Ciezki career-high 22 points also add to an unusual path into the WNBA. She went undrafted, earned a roster spot through a training-camp invitation and later signed a developmental contract. Her production against Portland could strengthen her case for more opportunities.
For Ciezki, the focus now shifts toward building on the scoring efficiency and confidence shown against Portland. The rookie’s ability to contribute quickly off the bench gives Phoenix another option to consider as it prepares for the next season.