James scores 28, Bueckers 23 as the Wings start 4 rookies in a 98-89 win over the Mercury

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — 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 on Thursday night.

JJ Quinerly added a career-high of 17 points for the Wings (6-13), winners of five of their last seven games. The fourth rookie starter, Luisa Geiselsoder, scored four points. Second-year player Li Yueru shot 10 for 12 from the line and added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

James hit five 3-pointers and had six rebounds and six assists.

Kahleah Copper led Phoenix (12-6) with 33 points for the 11th 30-point game of her career. Satou Sabally added 20 points and Monique Akoa Makani 14. The Mercury have lost consecutive games after six-game winning streak.

The Wings made 10 of 13 shots, with three 3s, and were perfect on nine shots from the line on the way to 32-20 lead after one quarter.

James had 13 points in the second quarter and easily passed her previous career high of 17 points. Dallas finished its best half of the season with a 61-43 lead. Bueckers had 14 points as the Wings shot 7 for 13 from long distance and 61% overall and added 14-for-15 shooting from the line.

Phoenix shot 37%, going 3 for 14 from beyond the arc, but was helped by hitting 14 of 16 shots from the line.

Copper hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points in less than a minute, and Alyssa Thomas, who had nine points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, followed with a layup to pull the Mercury within 67-63 midway through the third quarter. James answered with a three-point play and the Wings pushed the lead to 82-71 entering the fourth quarter.

Dallas extended its advantage to 18 at 92-74.

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Phoenix Mercury's Satou Sabally (0) compete to control a rebound against Dallas Wings' Paige Bueckers, left, and Myisha Hines-Allen (2) in the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Wings guard Aziaha James celebrates after sinking a three-point basket in the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas works to the basket in the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Dallas Wings, Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Wings' Paige Bueckers (5) controls the ball as Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas, right, defends in the first half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers handles the ball as she works against the Phoenix Mercury in the second half of a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)