Latest news with #LexiHeld
Winnipeg Free Press
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Copper leads Phoenix against Connecticut after 25-point showing
Connecticut Sun (5-22, 3-8 Eastern Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (17-11, 9-7 Western Conference) Phoenix; Tuesday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix Mercury hosts the Connecticut Sun after Kahleah Copper scored 25 points in the Phoenix Mercury's 83-67 victory against the Chicago Sky. The Mercury are 9-4 in home games. Phoenix is third in the Western Conference scoring 83.4 points while shooting 43.4% from the field. The Sun are 1-11 on the road. Connecticut is sixth in the Eastern Conference scoring 74.9 points per game and is shooting 40.4%. Phoenix scores 83.4 points per game, 3.6 fewer points than the 87.0 Connecticut gives up. Connecticut's 40.4% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.4 percentage points lower than Phoenix has given up to its opponents (42.8%). The teams square off for the second time this season. The Mercury won the last matchup 83-75 on June 18, with Lexi Held scoring 14 points in the victory. TOP PERFORMERS: Alyssa Thomas is scoring 16.0 points per game and averaging 8.4 rebounds for the Mercury. Sami Whitcomb is averaging 11.2 points and 2.3 rebounds over the last 10 games. Tina Charles is averaging 16.1 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Sun. Bria Hartley is averaging 12.9 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 40.4% over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mercury: 5-5, averaging 82.4 points, 35.3 rebounds, 20.8 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 81.9 points per game. Sun: 3-7, averaging 81.3 points, 33.0 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 8.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 42.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.0 points. INJURIES: Mercury: None listed. Sun: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phoenix Mercury Share Concerning Update on Standout Rookie Before Liberty Game
Phoenix Mercury Share Concerning Update on Standout Rookie Before Liberty Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Phoenix Mercury head into Friday's rematch with the New York Liberty on a five-game win streak and boasting an 11-4 record, good for third in the WNBA standings. Advertisement Now playing at home in PHX Arena, the Mercury will look to repeat a closely contested 89-81 road victory they claimed at Barclays Center on June 19. While the game itself was largely a success, celebration paused in the third quarter when rookie guard Lexi Held, diving for a loose ball, suffered a right-rib injury. She exited with some assistance but visibly in pain, and head coach Nate Tibbetts confirmed postgame that she was "in a lot of pain" and under further evaluation. The Mercury issued an official medical update on Thursday, revealing that Held has been diagnosed with a right-sided pneumothorax. Advertisement While the precise return timetable remains undetermined, team sources report that she is making encouraging progress under the care of Phoenix's medical staff. Phoenix's season has been led by veteran performances from veterans Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, alongside breakout seasons from rookies Monique Akoa Makani, Kathryn Westbeld and Kitija Laksa. Together, they've formed a deep, versatile unit that ranks sixth in the league in scoring (82.3 points per game) and fourth in defense (78.2 opponent points per game). Amid this collective surge, rookie guard Held has emerged as one of the season's feel-good stories. Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld, guard Lexi Held, and forward Satou Scuteri-Imagn Images The 25-year-old DePaul product signed a training-camp contract on March 5 before cracking Phoenix's final roster on May 15. Advertisement In 14 games this season, Held has averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 assists in 20.7 minutes per contest, performing as one of the Mercury's key contributors off the bench. Prior to the WNBA, she spent four seasons with the Blue Demons, where she was a two-time All-Big East selection and led DePaul to three Big East tournaments (2018-2020). Undrafted in 2022, Held made stops overseas in Australia, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Sweden before returning stateside for training camp. Related: Stephanie White Breaks Silence After Missing Chicago Sky Game Related: WNBA Reacts to Caitlin Clark's Actions During Chicago Sky Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lexi Held injury update: Latest news on Phoenix Mercury guard's collapsed lung
Phoenix Mercury guard Alexa Held, 25, suffered a scary injury against the New York Liberty on Thursday, June 19, ultimately leaving the game due to a partially collapsed lung. While the team would go on to Chicago to take on the Sky on June 21, Held had to remain under observation in New York, recovering from her collision with Breanna Stewart. Advertisement Even after she was cleared, she was not in any state to fly. So, how on Earth was Held supposed to get back home, back to Phoenix with her team? Well, as it turns out, when you're determined enough, nothing can stop you. Held embarked on a three-day train trip across the United States in order to reunite with her team ahead of their next home game against, coincidentally, the New York Liberty. Obviously, Held will not be playing in the game. In fact, her timeline for return has still yet to be determined. But her presence in Phoenix is an enormous lift for the organization, as evidenced by the number of Mercury staff to welcome her home. Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held dribbles the ball against the Connecticut Sun during the second half at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 18. WNBA News: Fever guard Caitlin Clark to miss Sparks game with injury Lexi Held's official diagnosis Held was diagnosed with pneumothorax on her right lung. Recovery times involving pneumothoraxes can vary wildly depending on the severity of the injury. Advertisement A small pneumothorax can heal naturally, but still needs a week or two to fully recover, per the National Library of Medicine. A larger one requires more medical attentiveness, needing multiple days just to reinflate the lung before recovery officially starts. For such injuries, recovery can take 4-6 weeks. The Mercury noted that Held is already "making good progress in her recovery." Mercury making moves in wake of Held's absence On Thursday, June 26, the Phoenix Mercury signed guard Kiana Williams. In the wake of Held's injury as well as Megan McConnell's tibial plateau fracture, the Mercury were in desperate need of guard help. Reports have also indicated that the Mercury are linked to former Indiana Fever guard/forward DeWanna Bonner, who was released by the Fever earlier this week. Phoenix is reportedly Bonner's preferred destination. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lexi Held collapsed lung, latest news on Phoenix Mercury guard injury
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Lexi Held feels ‘lucky' with Mercury
The post Why Lexi Held feels 'lucky' with Mercury appeared first on ClutchPoints. PHOENIX– A side-step, step-back three from Lexi Held left the PHX Arena unglued with 1:10 left in the fourth quarter, along with her Phoenix Mercury teammates. Advertisement They immediately gave chest bumps, high-fives, and the momentum shifted to the Mercury. As a result, the Mercury's 86-77 victory left Held with 24 points. Although she didn't remember specifically that shot, she did have a full-circle moment following the game. She explained to reporters how her confidence has grown because of a simple belief. 'I think it also comes from the environment. So, I've been lucky enough to have great teammates, great coaches, assistant coaches, and GMs; everybody involved in the Phoenix Mercury is important to me,' Held said. 'Even during training camp, it just feels good to be somewhere that people invest in you as much as you invest in them and the sport. When you have an environment like that, it makes it a lot easier to be confident and have trust and get trust as well.' Advertisement However, Held's performance was an indicator that something big was brewing. With Alyssa Thomas, Natasha Mack, and Kahleah Copper all out, more players have had their names called. Players from Monique Akoa Makani, Kitija Laksa, and even Kalani Brown have risen. Still, Held was a consistent contributor until the potential unraveled in front of the X-factor. Satou Sabally loved Lexi Held's performance in the Mercury win © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Despite Satou Sabally being healthy and being the de facto option, there is more to the game than one player. Sabally knows that and has shown immediate trust to her teammates. Plus, if there's an opportunity for Sabally to hype her teammates up, she will take full advantage. With Held sitting next to her, the labeled 'unicorn' geared up to give the rookie her flowers. Advertisement On Thursday, the trust between her and Held was telling of what the former No. 2 overall pick sees that no one else does. 'I see every day how hard she works, and you trust hard work and the results will show by themselves. Honestly, I would even make a case that she could make Rookie of the Year,' Sabally said. 'Not only on offense, but on defense, really putting that log on people and defending relentlessly every single game. That is also something that should be highlighted… like 24 points, it's just amazing, but the way she does it with grace and how she does it with the team together, she's just such a smart player already.' Advertisement Smart might be a good adjective here, as Held and Sabally were each a +18 in the box score. While it might seem like a nerdy statistic, it's telling of her effectiveness. After all, the DePaul guard was creating her shot, utilizing the pick-and-roll, and not being afraid to attack mismatches and switches. Nate Tibbetts praises Lexi Held in Mercury's win © Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With a depleted roster, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts has pulled every card in his arsenal. A multitude of different lineups, players in different roles, and even signing players to hardship contracts. One thing has been certain, though, and that was Held's contributions. Advertisement The defense was, and has been, elite. Navigating screens, switching, and picking players up full court has served as an agitator for the opposition. Meanwhile, it's earned her playing time. Eventually, the offense was bound to catch up with the defense, and that's what transpired on Thursday. Tibbetts detailed more on her confidence and how he would assess it. 'Ten,' Tibbetts said, with a big smile. 'There's not a lot of doubt. I've been pretty pleased with her playing the point here the last couple of games. 'I think she's probably been more of a combo on the ball, off the ball, but she handled it a ton tonight, which was great. With some of the injuries that we've had, if she can do that when some of our others come back, just having that shot creation and confidence… she's little, but she's fierce.' Lexi Held will be an integral part of the rotation The mantra of 'defense wins championships' is old and true. However, if you're Lexi Held, it will earn you plenty of playing time. Still, once Copper, Mack, and Thomas come back, there will be a tough time finding minutes. Advertisement Although breakout offensive games like this won't happen every night, one thing can be illustrated and stamped: Held helped Phoenix secure its sixth win of the season. When the Seattle Storm come back to Phoenix, the DePaul standout will continue to show the intelligent aggression offensively, to pair with her lockdown defense. Related: Megan McConnell, TJ McConnell's sister, goes down 2 days after joining Mercury Related: Pacers' TJ McConnell wears sister's WNBA jersey before NBA Finals
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mercury guard Lexi Held leaves Liberty game with concerning injury
The post Mercury guard Lexi Held leaves Liberty game with concerning injury appeared first on ClutchPoints. Lexi Held has come a long way since graduating from DePaul University in 2022. She went undrafted and bounced around overseas before signing a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury this past March. The 25-year-old guard is making the most of the opportunity, enjoying a solid rookie campaign in The Desert. Given all the progress she has made, it is especially discouraging to see her go down with a rib injury in Thursday's 89-81 win versus the New York Liberty, per Khristina Williams. Advertisement Held exited the court with some assistance in the third quarter, pushing through obvious discomfort. The fans in attendance at the Barclays Center reacted graciously, giving her a round of applause. Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said she 'is in a lot of pain,' per Stephen PridGeon-Garner, but did not offer a concrete update. Hopefully, the issue is not serious. The Liberty endured their own health troubles, as reigning WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones re-aggravated her ankle injury in the first half. Phoenix took advantage of the absence, winning the rebounding battle 42-32 and grabbing 15 offensive boards. Monique Akoa Makani scored a team-high 21 points, Alyssa Thomas posted a double-double and three additional players scored in double-figures. The Mercury are not savoring this win as much as they should, however, in light of the Held injury. Lexi Held has forced her way onto the court with Mercury This underdog has worked diligently to earn a rotational role in the WNBA, logging 21.6 minutes per contest and helping the team start the campaign on a promising note. Although her 39.8 field goal percentage leaves something to be desired, Held has added a valuable offensive spark off the bench. She scored a career-high 24 points in a June 5 win versus the Golden State Valkyries, firmly announcing her arrival in the league. Advertisement The two-time All-Big East First-Team selection is also making an impact on defense, averaging 1.5 steals per contest. Phoenix has given itself some breathing room after earning a 10-4 record, but losing a key depth piece like Lexi Held could halt its momentum. This is a potential gut-punch for one of the sport's feel-good stories this season. Though, if the past is any indication, this young athlete possesses the necessary perseverance to overcome the setback. Related: Mercury's Alyssa Thomas emotionally reacts to Connecticut return Related: Mercury send powerful message to Alyssa Thomas after huge milestone
