It was clear from opening tip-off that the Mercury were playing energized, cohesive basketball on Thursday, and appeared keen to avenge their road loss to Indiana back on July 30. It was also a clearly emotional contest for DeWanna Bonner, who had a tumultuous and brief tenure with the Fever before ultimately getting released by them in June.

Back in February, when she was part of a monster 10-team WNBA trade that shook up the entire league, Sophie Cunningham was something of a footnote. The Fever were getting more shooting and defense in the trade, no doubt, but in six seasons with the Mercury, Cunningham had been a nice role player but little more.