Photo Credit: Portland Fire’s Instagram
By: Jennifer Portee
8/17/2026
Carla Leite scored 23 points and the Portland Fire rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Phoenix Mercury 88-85 on Sunday night.
The loss came on the night Phoenix retired Diana Taurasi’s No. 3 jersey, honoring the WNBA career scoring leader and three-time champion following her 20 seasons with the franchise.
Leite scored Portland’s final two field goals during a 6-0 run that gave the Fire an 81-80 lead with 1:12 remaining.
After Emily Engstler and Kahleah Copper traded baskets, Katie Lou Samuelson made the second of two free throws with 20 seconds left to put Portland ahead 84-82.
Bridget Carleton then blocked Copper’s shot on Phoenix’s next possession and grabbed the rebound. Copper fouled Carleton, who made two free throws with 12 seconds remaining for an 86-82 lead.
Alyssa Thomas hit a 3-pointer to pull Phoenix within one, but Carleton made two more free throws to seal it.
Leite went 9-for-15 from the field and added five assists for Portland (15-20). Megan DiLeo scored 15 points.
DeWanna Bonner led Phoenix (13-23) with 23 points. Copper had 19 points and seven rebounds, while Thomas finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.
Phoenix led 42-36 at halftime behind 14 points from Bonner. Portland got within three entering the fourth after Frieda Bühner and DiLeo hit late 3-pointers in the third quarter.