From wire to wire, the Mercury’s big 86-55 win over the Tulsa Shock at home Thursday was very likely the best they’ve collectively played as a team all season.

“That’s we talked about—we needed to get on a little streak,” DeWanna Bonner said after the game. “Consistency, Sandy (Brondello) preached about it in practice. This was a total team effort. We just came out from the beginning and kind of buried them right then and there because we know what kind of team they are. They’re the number one team and they also could put up points—even without Skylar (Diggins). They put up almost 90 points in Seattle. We just wanted to come out and play defense.”

Phoenix shot 55.6-percent from the field and had four players finish in double-figures marking the third game this season that the Mercury have done so, and the ninth time that at least three players have scored in double digits. The team’s 86 points were also a season-high.

However, as we’ve become accustomed to seeing, it was the Mercury’s defense that was, ultimately, the key factor in the win (more on this below).

Here’s what we learned from #MercVsShock:

How About That Defense? 

The Mercury held the Shock to 55 total points. In fact, there were two quarters where Phoenix held Tulsa to under 10 total points.

It was a season low for points allowed by Phoenix and the season-low for points scored in a game this season by Tulsa (previously 68). Additionally, the Mercury forced the Shock into an opponent season-low for points in the first quarter (9) and third quarter (7).

The Mercury held the Shock to just 28.2-percent shooting (20-of-71) and 18.2-percent from beyond the arc (4-of-22).

“On the defensive end we were really good and we were able to run out of it,” Griner said. “We were able to get a lot of fast break points tonight. Our bench did a great job, coming in and contributing. That helped us out; we were able to put people on the bench, get rest for a long season. It was really good night overall for everybody.”

Brittney Griner Has Officially Found Her ‘Groove’ 

Brittney Griner is becoming increasingly unstoppable on both ends of the floor with each passing game.

Against the Shock, Griner finished with an impressive stat line of 13 points, eight rebounds and seven blocks on 5-of-6 shooting in just 24 minutes of action. BG’s seven blocks were a season-high.

“Each game we’re getting in a better groove,” Griner added. “Figuring out each other, coming off screens, passing the ball to me, (I am) finding them on the double, taking our time. We’re starting to get more into that groove.”

A Total Team Win 

It sounds tired and cliché, but a “total team win” is the best way to describe the Mercury’s victory over the Shock on Thursday.

Every player who saw game action scored except for Noelle Quinn, who dazzled the crowd with some impressive no-look passes. Shameka Christon had her best game of the year with six points on two three-pointers, Alex Harden finished with seven points and two steals, and Mistie Bass totaled six points and five rebounds while intensely battling inside the paint.

“I think everyone showed signs,” Sandy Brondello said about the team effort. “It was good to see Meek (Shameka Christon) see a few shots drop in the ring because she’s a great shooter. I thought Tiffany (Bias) did a great job on both ends of the floor, she created a little bit of offense, she finished some shots here. But every single one came in and did their job. I thought for Alex (Harden) it was a solid game on both ends of the floor, because she’s another defensive stopper.

“We needed each and every one; locked in every single night.”