LAS VEGAS (Interstat) — Rickea Jackson scored 29 points and grabbed six rebounds, but the Chicago Sky fell to the Phoenix Mercury 91-83 on Friday night at Michelob Ultra Arena in a WNBA matchup that featured a furious fourth-quarter rally by Chicago before Phoenix sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Chicago, which entered the game with a 2-0 record, saw its 24-point fourth quarter fall short as Phoenix matched the Sky’s 22 points in the final period behind clutch performances from forward Alyssa Thomas and guard Jovana Nogic. Thomas posted a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while Nogic added 27 points and four rebounds, including 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. Kahleah Copper contributed 17 points and five rebounds for the Mercury, and Natasha Mack chipped in 10 points, six rebounds and four blocks.

The Sky, who shot 41.5 percent from the field, were paced by Jackson, who connected on 10-of-20 shots and added three blocks. Gabriela Jaquez scored 13 points, and Natasha Cloud had seven points and seven assists. Kamilla Cardoso added seven points and eight rebounds for Chicago.

Phoenix, which improved to 2-2, shot 44.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded Chicago 40-38. The Mercury also forced 16 turnovers while committing 15 of their own.

The game began with both teams feeling each other out. Chicago took an early 4-0 lead after a pair of jump balls went their way, but Phoenix responded with a 9-0 run midway through the first quarter. Jovana Nogic hit a 25-foot three-pointer to give the Mercury a 9-4 advantage. Chicago fought back, with Rickea Jackson draining a 23-foot three-pointer and Aicha Coulibaly adding a driving layup, but Phoenix led 23-17 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Chicago trimmed the deficit. The Sky opened with a 7-2 run, including a three-pointer from Jacy Sheldon, to pull within 25-24. However, Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper scored seven points in the period, including a 26-foot three-pointer, and Jovana Nogic added five points, including a technical free throw, to help the Mercury extend their lead to 45-35 at halftime.

Chicago came out strong in the third quarter, scoring 24 points to Phoenix’s 24. Rickea Jackson scored 11 points in the period, including a 23-foot running jump shot and a pair of free throws, as the Sky cut the deficit to five points. Natasha Mack and Alyssa Thomas each scored four points for Phoenix, but Chicago’s Elizabeth Williams and Sydney Taylor contributed off the bench to keep the game close. The quarter ended with Phoenix leading 69-59.

The Sky mounted a serious challenge in the fourth quarter. Rickea Jackson scored 10 points, including two three-pointers, and Natasha Cloud added four points, including a three-point play, to bring Chicago within 82-78 with 4:23 remaining. Alyssa Thomas answered with a layup and a free throw, but Jackson’s three-pointer with 1:07 left made it 89-83. However, Phoenix’s Jovana Nogic and Kahleah Copper combined to make four free throws in the final 31 seconds to seal the victory.

The most critical sequence came in the final two minutes. After Rickea Jackson’s three-pointer cut the lead to 89-83 with 1:07 to play, Chicago forced a turnover on the ensuing possession. But Jackson missed a three-point step-back jumper with 37 seconds left, and Kahleah Copper grabbed the rebound. Chicago fouled Copper, who made two free throws with 27.1 seconds remaining to give Phoenix a 91-83 lead. The Sky turned the ball over on their next possession, and Jovana Nogic lost the ball out of bounds with 3.7 seconds left, but by then the game was out of reach.

Jackson, who came into the game averaging 18.5 points over the previous two contests, was the top star for Chicago. Her 29-point effort was a season high, and she also recorded three blocks. Thomas’ triple-double was a key factor for Phoenix, as she controlled the boards and facilitated the offense. Mack’s four blocks also helped disrupt Chicago’s interior scoring.

Attendance was 11,094.

Chicago (2-1) travels to Minnesota on Saturday for a game against the Lynx, while Phoenix (2-2) returns home to host Toronto on Tuesday.

Interstat’s ELO system projected Phoenix with a 91.80 percent probability to win. Phoenix was installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of minus-4.5. The total score of 83 went over the over-under line of 165.5.