ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Paige Bueckers scored a season-high 31 points, Jessica Shepard had 17 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and the Dallas Wings beat the Phoenix Mercury 85-70 on Thursday night.
Bueckers scored 24 points in the first half on 11-of-14 shooting, capped by a 3-pointer with 54.2 seconds left to give the Wings a 45-33 lead. Dallas also outscored Phoenix 25-16 in the third quarter.
Dallas, which led by as many as 22 points, had its lead cut to 80-70 with 1:28 left after sitting Bueckers with a big lead. But Phoenix was called for an offensive foul on its next possession and Li Yueru completed a three-point play with 42.5 seconds remaining for a 13-point lead to seal it.
Bueckers, who also had six rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes, recorded the 17th 30-point game in the WNBA this season. The 30-point performance was the third of her career and first since setting the rookie scoring record last August.
Azzi Fudd also scored 17 for Dallas (8-4). Shepard secured her 26th career double-double and seventh of the season.
Lexi Held led Phoenix (4-10) with 17 points. Kahleah Copper was 3 of 10 from the field to finish with 13 points. Alyssa Thomas had six points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.
Phoenix: Begins a three-game homestand on Saturday against Los Angeles.
Dallas: Plays at Portland on Saturday.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers reacts to scoring a 3-point basket during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) shoots against Phoenix Mercury forward Noemie Brochant (1) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers questions a call during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Phoenix Mercury in Arlington, Texas, Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov scored twice and Sebastian Aho added a second-period goal in a breakout game for Carolina’s top-line performers, helping the Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Thursday night to move within a victory of winning the Stanley Cup.
Captain Jordan Staal added his fifth goal in the series on a night when Carolina overcame multiple hiccups from these playoffs, from a shaky power play to being outplayed in the second period of this series. And there had been the waiting game for Aho and Svechnikov — two roster mainstays in an eight-year postseason run — to find a better offensive groove.
It all came together in Game 5, with Svechnikov’s short putaway at the post on the power play giving Carolina a 4-1 lead midway through the third period. And unlike most multi-goal leads in what has been a wild and thrilling series, this one held up, with Brandon Bussi finishing with 22 saves in his second career postseason start.
That gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Sunday night in Las Vegas, with the Hurricanes playing for the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time since coach Rod Brind’Amour captained them to the title in 2006.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20) celebrates after his goal during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov celebrates his goal during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes players celebrate after a goal by Andrei Svechnikov during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20) moves the puck in front of Vegas Golden Knights' Noah Hanifin (15) during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov (37) celebrates after his goal with Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during the second period in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart is scored on by Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers, right, celebrates his empty net goal with defenseman Jaccob Slavin, left, and goaltender Brandon Bussi during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella, right, talks to a referee during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart, left, stops a shot by Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall during the first period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Candice Ward)
