UNCASVILLE, Conn. (Interstat) — The Phoenix Mercury visit the Connecticut Sun on Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena, with both teams hoping a late-season surge can begin in a matchup of WNBA clubs near the bottom of the standings. Phoenix brings a 12-19 record into the game, while Connecticut sits at 7-23. The teams split their two earlier meetings this season, both in Phoenix. The Sun took the first 96-83 on July 17, and the Mercury answered with a 72-63 home win on July 19. Phoenix is coming off a 106-101 victory at Chicago on Monday, and forward Alyssa Thomas was the catalyst with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists for a triple-double in 38 minutes. Thomas has been heavily productive recently, with a 25-point, nine-rebound, eight-assist effort against Golden State on July 29 and a 19-point, 11-rebound, 15-assist triple-double against Los Angeles on July 22. Guard Kahleah Copper also starred in Monday’s win over Chicago, pouring in 31 points on 4-of-? shooting for the Mercury. Veteran forward DeWanna Bonner added 14 points and eight rebounds. Connecticut has lost four straight and nine of its last 10. The Sun fell 83-63 at Dallas on Sunday, with forward Diamond Miller scoring 22 points and grabbing four rebounds. Kennedy Burke added 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in 30 minutes. Burke, a guard/forward, has been a bright spot recently despite the team’s struggles, posting 11 points against Washington on July 28 and 13 points in Connecticut’s 96-83 win over Phoenix on July 17. The Sun’s offense has been inconsistent, but they showed scoring potential in a 96-point outburst against the Mercury in July. Connecticut also has a home-friendly schedule ahead, with Friday’s game beginning a stretch that includes Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles at Mohegan Sun Arena over the following eight days. Phoenix, meanwhile, will look to build on consecutive wins over Chicago and Los Angeles, though the Mercury have also lost 10 of their last 13. The Mercury have been competitive in most recent games, with narrow losses to New York and Minnesota, but also suffered a 106-58 blowout at Las Vegas on July 11. The Interstat game simulator projects a high-scoring contest, with Phoenix winning 99-95. That would likely depend on another strong all-around performance from Thomas, who leads the Mercury’s recent surge with consistent rebounding, playmaking and scoring. Tipoff is scheduled for Friday evening at Mohegan Sun Arena.