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Summer is here in Arizona, and there’s plenty of activity, including college sports and a new season for the Phoenix Mercury, Phoenix Rising FC and Arizona Rattlers. Here are updates on news and events happening around Arizona sports:
Alyssa Thomas notches triple-double as Mercury head off to All-Star break with a win
Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas posted a triple-double as the Mercury defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, 86-82, in the final game before the All-Star break on July 22.
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"(We're feeling) really good heading into this break to get us some confidence," coach Nate Tibbetts said. "We've had plenty of those games and maybe this is one of the first ones where we actually had the lead in crunch time. Typically, we're playing behind, but I'm really proud of the group."
Thomas posted 19 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds for the 20th triple-double of her career. Kahleah Copper scored a game-high 21 points in the Mercury's road win (10-18).
The Sparks cut the Mercury's lead to two points with 47 seconds left in the game after forward Rae Burrell scored a second-chance layup.
The Mercury turned the ball over on the next possession, but Dearica Hamby missed her fast break opportunity. Thomas grabbed the rebound from Hamby's miss and set up Monique Akoa Makani for the final score.
Phoenix had a rough start on defense in the first quarter with six turnovers and a 38.9% shooting clip (7-of-18). But Thomas' seven rebounds in the first quarter kept it a close game as the Mercury led by one point at the quarter's end.
The Mercury ended up turning the ball over six more times across the next three quarters and scored six more points off the Sparks' turnovers.
Tibbetts added that he liked his team's energy, even with the game having an earlier start and being right before a five-day break. The Mercury kept up with the Sparks' pace and challenged the Sparks in the paint, outscoring them 54-36.
The Mercury won't play again until Wednesday, July 29, when the Golden State Valkyries come to Phoenix. None of the Mercury's players will be representing at the upcoming WNBA All-Star Game on July 25.
— Jenna Ortiz
Arizona Cardinals sign rookie QB Carson Beck
The Arizona Cardinals have come to contract terms with all seven of their 2026 draft picks after agreeing on a four-year deal with their last remaining unsigned rookie, third-round quarterback Carson Beck.
Beck, the former standout at Georgia and the University of Miami, is expected to get the chance to start some games this season for the Cardinals despite the presence of veteran QBs Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II.
Beck and the Cardinals were scheduled to report to training camp at State Farm Stadium on Wednesday, July 22.
The team also announced it has signed defensive lineman Coziah Izzard. Izzard spent his rookie season in 2025 on the practice squads of the Saints and Chiefs after entering the league with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent from Penn State.
Beck was a member of two national championship teams with the Bulldogs as a backup and, after transferring to Miami, helped lead the Hurricanes to the national title game last season. Miami went 13-3 last season with Beck completing 72.4 percent of his passes for 3,813 yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
— Bob McManaman
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Digest. Alyssa Thomas notches 1st triple-double of 2026
