Ciezki Ignites Phoenix Comeback in Portland

The air inside Moda Center tasted of sweat and tension as the clock bled out. Shay Ciezki stood at the free-throw line, the hardwood beneath her sneakers slick with humidity. The crowd’s roar was a physical weight, pressing against the glass. She swished the ninth straight attempt, her arms snapping up in a silent release. The ball hung in the air, a small orange sun against the dark rafters, before dropping through the net with a soft thud. That final point sealed the 94-91 victory, capping a night where a rookie wrote her name into the team’s history.

Phoenix Mercury guard Shay Ciezki had saved her best for Thursday. In just 21 minutes, she exploded for a career-high 22 points, adding three assists, two rebounds, and two steals. Her shooting was cold-blooded, 5-for-8 from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. But it was the third quarter that defined the game. As the Mercury trailed by double digits, Ciezki took over. She scored 17 of her total points in that single frame, a record for a Mercury rookie. The momentum shifted, the defensive intensity spiked, and the lead evaporated.

Rising from the shadows

Ciezki arrived in Phoenix without a draft pick. She signed a training camp contract, waiting in the wings for a chance to prove her worth. For most of the season, her role was limited, a background presence in the rotation. That changed as the Mercury’s season wound down without a postseason berth. Suddenly, the minutes opened up. On August 29, she posted 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a blowout win over Toronto. Now, against Portland, she showed she could carry the load when the stakes felt higher.

Building a future foundation

This stretch of games is a proving ground for Ciezki and her teammates. With the season effectively over for the Mercury, the focus shifts to development. Maddy Westbeld, Marta Suarez, and Kara Dunn are also seizing larger roles. Each possession is a lesson in pace, space, and decision-making. Ciezki is learning how to sustain her energy, how to read defenses that do not yield easily. It is a raw, unpolished process, but it is building something solid for the future.

Looking ahead to Dallas

The Mercury will take one more road trip before heading home. They face the Dallas Wings on Saturday, September 19, at 10 a.m. The stakes are low for the standings, but high for individual growth. Ciezki’s emergence gives the club a new asset to evaluate as the offseason approaches. According to Yahoo Sports, her performance offers a clear glimpse of the potential she brings to Phoenix’s long-term plans. The hardwood is drying, the lights are dimming, but the story is just beginning.