The Phoenix Mercury’s message to the rest of the WNBA is short, sweet and to the point – you’re in danger, girl.
Last season’s Mercury version did make the postseason, but it became clear as the 2024 campaign wore on that it would more than likely be the final season that Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner – the heart and soul of that franchise – would sport Mercury orange and purple.
That was indeed the case. Taurasi finally put away her No. 3 jersey for good and BG would head east to join the Atlanta Dream.
Nate Tibbetts, Nick U’ren, Vince Kozar and Mat Ishbia had their work cut out for them in the offseason. Thankfully for Phoenix, they were able to take advantage of turmoil within two teams during the offseason.
One of those teams was the Dallas Wings, a franchise that has had problems throughout its history keeping star players in north Texas. Ask Skylar Diggins. Ask Liz Cambage. Ask Natasha Howard. And we may have to ask Arike Ogunbowale following this season. The Mercury would welcome Satou Sabally – already a two-time All-Star prior to this season – to the Valley. Sabally will compete in her third All-Star Game next week in Indianapolis.
The other team that the Mercury’s front office capitalized on over the offseason was the Connecticut Sun. Years of being only a rung or two away from grabbing the briefcase only to be stopped short finally caught up to New England’s W franchise and a mass exodus ensued over the offseason.
Brionna Jones joined Griner in Atlanta. DiJonai Carrington was on her way to the Wings. DeWanna Bonner left for the Indiana Fever (more on her in a bit) as did coach Stephanie White. Even former general manager Darius Taylor left the WNBA ranks to take a job at Texas A&M’s program – where his wife, Joni, is head coach.
That mass exodus also included the walking triple-double Engine that is Alyssa Thomas joining the Mercury.
The moves made during the offseason by Phoenix’s front office ensured that Kahleah Copper would not be all by her lonesome on Merc Island. And while the team has battled through injury issues, the Mercury – expected to be on the high end of the mid-pack teams in the WNBA – would instead be the second seed in the postseason if they were to start as of this writing.
Add in how the Mercury also took advantage of Bonner becoming disillusioned by the Fever and no longer wanting to be in Indianapolis, and Phoenix is proving it is no longer simply a playoff contender but a championship contender.
Phoenix also picked up a signature win recently when it defeated the Minnesota Lynx – currently the top team in the W – in a 79-71 decision. Also, it was in a game where both Copper and Sabally did not play in.
Thomas did play – and Cheryl Reeve’s defense had no answers for AT. She paved the tracks to the camp day victory in front of the (little) X-Factor with 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The question marks that surrounded the Mercury shortly after the Bonner news became known was if it would have a negative effect on Phoenix’s chemistry given how the Mercury have performed recently. The performance of the Mercury against Minnesota could be an indication that Phoenix may have more chemistry given it has returned a legendary name to the team that originally drafted said name.
Phoenix’s win over Minnesota was the textbook definition of a statement win – coming from behind to defeat a team on a revenge tour like the Lynx is the definition of a statement win.
If the Mercury are to win the 2025 WNBA championship, it will be anything but easy. The New York Liberty have not looked like the Liberty that won last season’s championship as of late but that will certainly change once it gets Jonquel Jones back following the All-Star break.
The Seattle Storm and Atlanta Dream have also displayed that they belong on the same court with the W’s elite. One cannot count out the Indiana Fever as long as it has (a healthy) Caitlin Clark and one cannot count out the Las Vegas Aces as long as it has (a healthy) A’ja Wilson.
But as we reach the midpoint of the WNBA season, Thomas has re-introduced herself to the MVP conversation that appeared to only include Napheesa Collier and Allisha Gray through said first half. In addition, this is a better Phoenix team than last year’s was with fan favorites like DT and BG.
Also, when we mention Executive of the Year candidates, U’ren’s name has to be in that conversation.
The Mercury’s history as an Original Eight franchise has included championships in 2007, 2009 and 2014 – all during the Taurasi era. The last time the Mercury were in a WNBA Finals was in 2021 only to lose in four games to the Chicago Sky.
Phoenix’s message to the rest of the WNBA is that the trek to get to the W’s highest peak may go through the Valley.
