Phoenix Mercury

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Phoenix Mercury
Basketball current event.svg 2024 Phoenix Mercury season
Phoenix Mercury logo.svg
Conference Western
Leagues WNBA
Founded1997;27 years ago (1997)
HistoryPhoenix Mercury
1997–present
Arena Footprint Center
Location Phoenix, Arizona
Team colorsPurple, orange, light grey, black [1] [2]
    
Main sponsor Fry’s Food and Drug
General managerNick U'Ren
Head coach Nate Tibbetts
Assistant(s) Charli Turner Thorne
Taja Edwards
Tully Bevilaqua
Ownership Mat Ishbia
Championships3 (2007, 2009, 2014)
Conference titles4 (1998, 2007, 2009, 2014) [lower-alpha 1]
Website mercury.wnba.com
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Heroine
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Explorer
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Rebel

The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). One of eight original franchises, it was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began.

Contents

The Mercury have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in fifteen of its twenty-four years in Phoenix. In 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2021 the Mercury went to the WNBA Finals; they lost to Houston in 1998, but won the title in 2007, 2009, and 2014 over Detroit, Indiana, and Chicago respectively.

The franchise has been home to players such as former UConn Diana Taurasi, Rutgers grad Cappie Pondexter, former Temple power forward Candice Dupree, former Baylor center Brittney Griner, and Australian guard Penny Taylor.

In February 2023, Mat Ishbia completed the acquisition of Phoenix Mercury. The team was among Robert Sarver's sports assets located in Arizona sold to the former college basketball player for the Michigan State Spartans during their championship in 2000. [3] [4]

Franchise history

Mercury heating up (1997–1998)

With a cast that included hall-of-famer Nancy Lieberman, and possible future hall-of-famers Michele Timms of Australia, and Jennifer Gillom, hyper-active star Bridget Pettis, and outspoken coach Cheryl Miller, the Mercury quickly established itself as a major franchise. In the very first WNBA season, the Mercury posted a 16–12 record and reached the first WNBA playoffs. The Mercury lost to the New York Liberty, though, in those playoffs.

In 1998, the Mercury again qualified for the playoffs, posting a 19–11 record. The Mercury defeated the Cleveland Rockers to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time. In a hard-fought series, the Mercury fell 2 games to 1 to the defending champion Houston Comets.

Mercury in retrograde (1999–2003)

In 1999, the Mercury missed the playoffs, posting a 15–17 record. In 2000, the Mercury finished 20–12, but got swept by the Los Angeles Sparks. The team descended into turmoil after the season, as coach Miller left and the original core group of players broke up, via retirement or trades, and the team stopped being a playoff contender.

From 2001 to 2004, the Mercury were at the bottom of the WNBA. Fielding miserable teams, the Mercury were never competitive. The Mercury went through coach after coach, and nothing worked. During the lean years, the franchise remained in the news as forward Lisa Harrison would become a sex symbol. Playboy Magazine offered her money to pose in their magazine. She would decline the offer. [5]

Diana Taurasi joins the WNBA (2004–2005)

After a horrible 2003 season, in which the Mercury posted an 8–26 record, the Mercury won the #1 overall choice in the 2004 WNBA Draft, and select coveted former UConn star Diana Taurasi. Taurasi went on to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in the 2004 season, as the Mercury posted a better 17–17 record. The Mercury posted a 16–18 record in 2005, missing the playoffs again.

Bringing back "Paul Ball" (2006–2007)

Former NBA coach Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach prior to the 2006 season and brought his up-tempo style to Phoenix. Westhead was the first WNBA coach to have won a previous NBA championship (1980 LA Lakers). The Mercury also drafted Cappie Pondexter with the #2 overall selection in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The addition provided Taurasi with a solid #2 player. Westhead's run and gun offense quickly became The Mercury's trademark and the franchise would soon set new league records for points scored.

The 2006 season was a positive one for the Mercury, as they posted a winning record for the first time since 2000, at 18–16. The Mercury competed for the playoffs all year, but fell just short of a postseason berth.

As the 2007 season came, the Mercury were poised and hungry for a deep playoff run. The Mercury would run away with the Western Conference, posting their best record in franchise history at 23–11, as well as clinching the #1 seed. The Mercury set a record by averaging 89.0 points in a season during 2007. [6] In their first playoffs since 2000, the Mercury made quick work of the Seattle Storm in the first round, blowing them out in two games (Game 1: 101–84, Game 2: 95–89). In the Western Finals, the Mercury swept the San Antonio Silver Stars in a closer series (Game 1: 102–100, Game 2: 98–92), advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time in nine years. In the Finals, the Mercury faced the defending 2006 champions Detroit Shock. The two teams split the first two games in Detroit. Coming back home, the Mercury suffered a letdown in game 3, losing 88–83. Down 2–1, the Mercury had to win game 4 or lose. Game 4 came down to the final seconds, but the Mercury edged out the Shock 77–76, with Cappie Pondexter scoring 26 points, and forced a Game 5 in Detroit. In Game 5, Phoenix won by a score of 108–92. [6] Penny Taylor scored a game high 30 points in Game 5, and went 18-for-18 from the line. [6] The Mercury won the series and their first championship with a 108–92 Game 5 victory, becoming the first WNBA team to win a championship on the road. Cappie Pondexter was named the WNBA Finals MVP, and averaged 22.0 points and 5.6 assists in the series. [6] On November 7, 2007, The Mercury announced the hiring of Corey Gaines as head coach to replace the departing Paul Westhead.

Mercury fall, Mercury rise (2008–2011)

In 2008, the Mercury started slowly and never really found a groove, finishing the season with a disappointing record of 16–18, well out of the playoff picture in a tough Western Conference. The Mercury became the first team in WNBA history with the dubious honor of failing to qualify for the playoffs after winning the WNBA Finals the year before.

However, a year later, the Mercury were back to what they were two years before. The Mercury clinched the top spot in the playoffs along with the number one seed in the Western Conference. The Mercury defeated the 2008 conference champion San Antonio Silver Stars in the first round, winning the very exciting series 2–1 after losing the first game on the road. The Mercury then defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in the conference finals, winning 2–1 in a series that ended Lisa Leslie's career. The Mercury then went on to beat the Indiana Fever 3–2 in the best of 5 series to capture the second title in their franchise history. Diana Taurasi captured the WNBA Finals MVP Award. All-star guard Cappie Pondexter was traded to the New York Liberty amid some controversy in the offseason; All-Star Candice Dupree joined the duo of Taurasi and Penny Taylor as the Mercury looked to repeat in 2010.

It was not easy, however, as the Mercury faced a few bad losing streaks throughout the 2010 season. The team managed to finish 15–19, good for second place in the Western Conference. Phoenix swept San Antonio in the first round of the Playoffs, but lost to the eventual champion Seattle Storm in the conference finals.

After a hectic offseason for Diana Taurasi, most of the Mercury team was rested and ready to play. The team started the 2011 season with a surprising 0–3 record, but flew back into playoff contention, entering the All-Star break with a 10–5 record. Ultimately, they recovered to gain the third seed in the 2011 WNBA Playoffs, and upset the Seattle Storm in the opening round, closing an 18-point deficit to win on Seattle's home floor, allowing the Mercury to reach its third straight conference finals. Unfortunately, for the team, they came up short against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, losing in two games.

Brittney Griner arrives (2013–present)

Phoenix Mercury at the White House to honor 2014 Championship Phoenix Mercury at the White House to honor 2014 Championship.JPG
Phoenix Mercury at the White House to honor 2014 Championship

Coming off the 2012 WNBA season in which the Phoenix Mercury franchise finished with the second worst record in the WNBA, a 7–27 mark, Phoenix received the 2013 WNBA draft lottery and secured the top overall pick. Once the 2013 WNBA draft arrived in April 2013, the Mercury used the top overall pick on two time Women's College Basketball Wooden award winner Brittney Griner. However, the Mercury lost to the Lynx in the Conference round of the playoffs. The following season the Mercury under the guidance of new coach Sandy Brondello went on to set an all time WNBA record for wins in a season, with 29, and breezed through the 2014 playoffs to claim their 3rd WNBA Championship.

On February 3, 2015, Diana Taurasi announced that she would sit out the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian Premier League team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. The team offered Taurasi to pay her more than her WNBA salary to skip the 2015 WNBA season. For the 2014 WNBA season, Taurasi made just under the league maximum of $107,000. But she makes 15 times that - approximately $1.5 million - playing overseas.

In 2016, the WNBA switched to a playoff format involving single elimination games in the first two rounds. The eighth-seeded Mercury upset the Indiana Fever in the First Round and New York Liberty in the Second Round to reach the Semifinals. However, they lost the Semifinals to the Minnesota Lynx. [7]

In 2017, the Mercury once again sailed through the first two rounds of the playoffs, winning their games against the Seattle Storm and Connecticut Sun. Again, they lost in the Semifinals, this time to the Los Angeles Sparks.

2018 saw the Mercury win both single-elimination playoff games for the third year in a row with victories against the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun, giving Diana Taurasi a 13–0 record in winner-take-all elimination games in her career. In the semifinals, the Mercury came up short against the Seattle Storm in the decisive fifth game, giving Taurasi her first ever loss in a winner-take-all elimination game.

Uniform sponsor

In June 2009 the Mercury and WNBA announced a sponsorship agreement with identity theft protection service LifeLock to place that company's logo on their jerseys through the 2013 season, making the Mercury among the first non-soccer franchises in the major leagues of North America to place a company logo on their uniforms. [8] For the 2014 season and going forward, the Mercury will wear jerseys sponsored by Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort.

Season-by-season records

SeasonTeamConferenceRegular season Playoff Results Head coach
WLPCT
Phoenix Mercury
1997 1997 West 1st1612.571Lost WNBA Semifinals (New York, 0–1) Cheryl Miller
1998 1998 West 2nd1911.633Won WNBA Semifinals (Cleveland, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Houston, 1–2)		 Cheryl Miller
1999 1999 West 4th1517.469Did not qualify Cheryl Miller
2000 2000 West 4th2012.625Lost Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 0–2) Cheryl Miller
2001 2001 West 5th1319.406Did not qualify Cynthia Cooper
2002 2002 West 7th1121.344Did not qualify C. Cooper (6–4)
L. Sharp (5–17)
2003 2003 West 7th826.235Did not qualify John Shumate
2004 2004 West 5th1717.500Did not qualify Carrie Graf
2005 2005 West 5th1618.471Did not qualify Carrie Graf
2006 2006 West 5th1816.529Did not qualify Paul Westhead
2007 2007 West 1st2311.676Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (San Antonio, 2–0)
Won WNBA Finals (Detroit, 3–2)		 Paul Westhead
2008 2008 West 7th1618.471Did not qualify Corey Gaines
2009 2009 West 1st2311.676Won Conference Semifinals (San Antonio, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Los Angeles, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Indiana, 3–2)		 Corey Gaines
2010 2010 West 2nd1519.441Won Conference Semifinals (San Antonio, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Seattle, 0–2)		 Corey Gaines
2011 2011 West 3rd1915.559Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Minnesota, 0–2)		 Corey Gaines
2012 2012 West 6th727.206Did not qualify Corey Gaines
2013 2013 West 3rd1915.559Won Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Minnesota, 0–2)		 Corey Gaines (10–11)
Russ Pennell (9–4)
2014 2014 West 1st295.853Won Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Minnesota, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Chicago, 3–0)		 Sandy Brondello
2015 2015 West 2nd2014.588Won Conference Semifinals (Tulsa, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Minnesota, 0–2)		 Sandy Brondello
2016 2016 West 4th1618.471Won First Round (Indiana, 1–0)
Won Second Round (New York, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Semifinals (Minnesota, 0–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2017 2017 West 3rd1816.529Won First Round (Seattle, 1–0)
Won Second Round (Connecticut, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Semifinals (Los Angeles, 0–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2018 2018 West 2nd2014.588Won First Round (Dallas, 1–0)
Won Second Round (Connecticut, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Semifinals (Seattle, 2–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2019 2019 West 5th1519.441Lost First Round (Chicago, 0–1) Sandy Brondello
2020 2020 West 5th139.591Won First Round (Washington, 1–0)
Lost Second Round (Minnesota, 0–1)		 Sandy Brondello
2021 2021 West 4th1913.594Won First Round (New York, 1–0)
Won Second Round (Seattle, 1–0)
Won WNBA Semifinals (Las Vegas 3–2)
Lost WNBA Finals (Chicago 1–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2022 2022 West 4th1521.417Lost First Round (Las Vegas 0–2) Vanessa Nygaard
2023 2023 West 12th931.225Did not qualify Vanessa Nygaard(2–10)
Nikki Blue(7–21)
Regular season449445.5025 Conference Championships
Playoffs4741.5343 WNBA Championships

Players

Current roster

Phoenix Mercury roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G/F 11 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Allen, Rebecca 6' 2" (1.88m)162 lb (73kg)1992-11-06 Australia 8
G 12 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Atwell, Amy 6' 0" (1.83m)165 lb (75kg)1998-06-30 Hawaiʻi 1
F 25 Flag of the United States.svg Bertsch, Morgan 6' 4" (1.93m)173 lb (78kg)1997-04-20 UC Davis 1
G 0 Flag of the United States.svg Cloud, Natasha 5' 9" (1.75m)160 lb (73kg)1992-02-22 Saint Joseph's 8
G/F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Copper, Kahleah 6' 1" (1.85m)165 lb (75kg)1994-08-28 Rutgers 8
G 9 Flag of the United States.svg Cunningham, Sophie 6' 1" (1.85m)170 lb (77kg)1996-08-16 Missouri 5
C 42 Flag of the United States.svg Griner, Brittney  Cruz Roja.svg6' 9" (2.06m)205 lb (93kg)1990-10-18 Baylor 10
F 21 Flag of Anguilla.svg Herbert Harrigan, Mikiah 6' 2" (1.88m)152 lb (69kg)1998-08-21 South Carolina 2
F 8 Flag of the United States.svg Hollingshed, Mya 6' 3" (1.91m)160 lb (73kg)1999-10-29 Colorado R
F 4 Flag of the United States.svg Mack, Natasha 6' 3" (1.91m)182 lb (83kg)1997-11-03 Oklahoma State 1
C 35 Flag of Rwanda.svg Murekatete, Bella 6' 3" (1.91m)2000-04-04 Washington State R
G 20 Flag of the United States.svg Osborne, Charisma 5' 9" (1.75m)2001-04-03 UCLA R
G 14 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Shelley, Jaz 5' 9" (1.75m)2000-05-13 Nebraska R
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Sutton, Sug 5' 8" (1.73m)140 lb (64kg)1998-12-17 Texas 2
G/F 3 Flag of the United States.svg Taurasi, Diana  Cruz Roja.svg6' 0" (1.83m)163 lb (74kg)1982-06-11 Connecticut 19
F 31 Flag of the United States.svg Williams, Christyn 5' 11" (1.8m)166 lb (75kg)2000-05-20 Connecticut R
C 23 Flag of the United States.svg Young, Desi-Rae 6' 1" (1.85m)2002-01-08 UNLV R
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Nate Tibbetts (South Dakota)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Kristi Toliver (Maryland)
Flag of the United States.svg Megan Vogel (South Dakota State)
Flag of the United States.svg Michael Joiner (Florida State)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Hannah Wengertsman (Boston University)
Strength and conditioning coach
Flag of the United States.svg Annalise Pickrel (Michigan State)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  WNBA roster page
East
ATL
CHI
CON
IND
NY
WAS
West
DAL
LV
LA
MIN
PHO
SEA

Former players

Retired numbers

Phoenix Mercury retired numbers
No.PlayerPositionTenureDateRef.
7 Michele Timms G 1997–2001August 7, 2002 [9] [10]
13 Penny Taylor G/F 2004–2016July 9, 2017 [11]
22 Jennifer Gillom F 1997–2002
32 Bridget Pettis G 1997–2006

Hall of Famers

(from Women's Basketball Hall of Fame [12] )

FIBA Hall of Famers

Phoenix Mercury Hall of Famers
Players
No.NamePositionTenureInducted
7 Michele Timms G 1997–20012016

Coaches and staff

Owners

Head coaches

Phoenix Mercury head coaches
NameStartEndSeasonsRegular seasonPlayoffs
WLPCTGWLPCTG
Cheryl Miller January 27, 1997December 1, 200047052.57412236.3339
Cynthia Cooper January 8, 2001June 26, 200221923.4524200.0000
Linda Sharp June 26, 2002end of 2002 1517.2272200.0000
John Shumate October 23, 2002end of 2003 1826.2353400.0000
Carrie Graf April 14, 2004end of 2005 23335.4856800.0000
Paul Westhead October 11, 2005September 18, 200724127.6036872.7789
Corey Gaines November 7, 2007August 8, 2013 [13] 690101.471191119.55020
Russ Pennell August 8, 2013 [13] October 18, 2013194.6921323.4005
Sandy Brondello November 15, 2013 [14] December 6, 20218164128.5622922419.55845
Vanessa Nygaard January 24, 2022 [15] June 25, 202321731.3543602.0002
Nikki Blue June 25, 2023October 17, 20231721.250000–0
Nate Tibbetts October 18, 2023present100–000–0
Coaches Julie Hairgrove, Todd Troxel (left to right) and head coach Sandy Brondello (seated) in a timeout during the 2016 WNBA semifinals. Mercury timeout 2016-09-28.jpg
Coaches Julie Hairgrove, Todd Troxel (left to right) and head coach Sandy Brondello (seated) in a timeout during the 2016 WNBA semifinals.

General managers

Assistant coaches

Statistics

Phoenix Mercury statistics
1990s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
1997 J. Gillom (15.7) T. Foster (6.1) M. Timms (5.1)69.2 vs 65.232.9 vs 33.0.373 vs .413
1998 J. Gillom (20.8) J. Gillom (7.3) M. Timms (5.3)73.9 vs 67.531.4 vs 31.4.424 vs .434
1999 J. Gillom (15.2) M. Askamp (7.2) M. Timms (5.0)68.0 vs 68.231.3 vs 31.6.399 vs .415
2000s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2000 B. Reed (19.0) B. Reed (5.8) M. Cleary (3.2)70.1 vs 65.727.9 vs 30.3.446 vs .423
2001 J. Gillom (12.3) M. Stepanova (6.3) K. Veal (4.3)64.5 vs 67.829.4 vs 32.2.405 vs .415
2002 J. Gillom (15.3) A. Williams (6.9) G. Grubin (3.3)65.3 vs 71.628.7 vs 31.3.420 vs .455
2003 A. DeForge (11.9) A. Williams (7.4) T. Jackson (4.3)61.7 vs 66.829.4 vs 32.8.382 vs .447
2004 D. Taurasi (17.0) P. Taylor (4.8) D. Taurasi (3.9)67.6 vs 65.726.9 vs 30.0.430 vs .425
2005 D. Taurasi (16.0) K. Vodichkova (7.0) D. Taurasi (4.5)69.4 vs 69.231.2 vs 30.1.414 vs .429
2006 D. Taurasi (25.3) K. Vodichkova (6.7) D. Taurasi (4.1)87.1 vs 84.733.7 vs 37.7.443 vs .433
2007 D. Taurasi (19.2) T. Smith (6.5) K. Miller (4.6)89.0 vs 85.433.9 vs 40.9.439 vs .405
2008 D. Taurasi (24.1) T. Smith (7.0) K. Miller (4.0)88.5 vs 88.536.1 vs 38.2.430 vs .421
2009 D. Taurasi (20.4) D. Bonner (5.8) C. Pondexter (5.0)92.8 vs 89.135.0 vs 37.8.460 vs .424
2010s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2010 D. Taurasi (22.6) C. Dupree (7.6) P. Taylor (5.0)93.9 vs 93.835.7 vs 37.6.473 vs .455
2011 D. Taurasi (21.6) C. Dupree (8.2) P. Taylor (4.7)89.0 vs 86.035.1 vs 34.2.461 vs .440
2012 D. Bonner (20.6) K. Thomas (8.0) S. Prahalis (4.5)74.5 vs 86.737.4 vs 36.1.384 vs .437
2013 D. Taurasi (20.3) C. Dupree (6.4) D. Taurasi (6.2)79.7 vs 80.335.1 vs 34.2.453 vs .411
2014 D. Taurasi (16.2) B. Griner (8.0) D. Taurasi (5.6)83.5 vs 74.133.7 vs 34.5.484 vs .409
2015 D. Bonner (15.8) B. Griner (8.1) D. Bonner (3.3)75.1 vs 72.333.4 vs 35.0.437 vs .396
2016 D. Taurasi (17.8) B. Griner (6.5) D. Taurasi (3.9)84.6 vs 83.332.4 vs 34.4.453 vs .440
2017 B. Griner (21.9) B. Griner (7.6) L. Mitchell (3.6)81.9 vs 81.932.1 vs 34.6.440 vs .438
2018 D. Taurasi (20.7) B. Griner (7.7) D. Taurasi (5.3)85.8 vs 83.232.6 vs 34.4.457 vs .431
2019 B. Griner (20.7) D. Bonner (7.6) D. Taurasi (5.3)76.5 vs 77.632.5 vs 37.2.424 vs .422
2020s
SeasonIndividualTeam vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2020 D. Taurasi (18.7) B. Turner (9.0) B. Hartley & D. Taurasi (4.5)86.1 vs 84.134.0 vs 36.0.450 vs .425
2021 B. Griner (20.5) B. Griner (9.5) S. Diggins-Smith (5.3)82.1 vs 79.536.2 vs 34.9.450 vs .417
2022 S. Diggins-Smith (19.7) B. Turner (6.8) S. Diggins-Smith (5.5)81.1 vs 84.131.2 vs 37.2.429 vs .441
2023 B. Griner (17.5) B. Griner & B. Turner (6.3) S. Sutton (4.8)76.6 vs. 84.924.3 vs. 30.844.4 vs. 44.8

Media coverage

Currently, Mercury games are broadcast on Arizona's Family, a group of Phoenix television stations (KPHO-TV, KTVK and KPHE-LD) owned by Gray Television. KTVK will carry at least 13 Mercury games per season, with the remaining games on KPHE. [16] [17]

Some Mercury games are broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2, Ion Television, CBS, CBS Sports Network and ABC. [18]

All-time notes

Regular season attendance

Regular season all-time attendance
YearAverageHighLowSelloutsTotal for yearWNBA game average
199713,703 (1st)17,74710,8980191,8359,669
199813,764 (3rd)14,70512,5220206,46710,869
199912,219 (3rd)13,48311,3280195,50810,207
200010,130 (5th)11,3909,3270162,0799,074
20018,558 (9th)14,1176,6800136,9229,075
20028,749 (8th)11,3477,1990139,9789,228
20038,501 (7th)10,2036,4640144,5118,800
20047,638 (8th)10,4935,1470129,8488,613
20057,303 (9th)10,5035,8650124,1468,172
20067,496 (7th)11,6615,0910127,4307,476
20077,711 (9th)13,5696,0330131,0857,742
20088,522 (5th)15,4994,4780144,8677,948
20098,523 (4th)13,5825,6720144,8448,039
20108,982 (4th)14,7725,5060152,6867,834
20119,167 (3rd)12,6666,1080155,8457,954
20127,814 (5th)10,6565,4210132,4547,452
20138,557 (3rd)13,0655,9720145,4667,531
20149,557 (1st)12,7567,8450162,4647,578
20159,946 (1st)12,2968,3190169,0777,184
201610,351 (1st)13,0488,4120175,9657,655
20179,913 (3rd)12,0435,7640168,5167,716
20189,950 (3rd)13,1067,7690169,1496,721
20199,069 (2nd)17,9438,0010154,1796,535
2020Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was played in Bradenton, Florida without fans. [19] [20]
20215,849 (1st)9,8113,618093,5852,636
20227,974 (2nd)14,1625,0440143,5305,679
20239,197 (2nd)14,0405,6520183,9356,615

Draft picks

Trades

All-Stars

Olympians

Honors and awards

  • 1997All-WNBA Second Team: Jennifer Gillom
  • 1998All-WNBA First Team: Jennifer Gillom
  • 2002Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Jennifer Gillom
  • 2004Rookie of the Year: Diana Taurasi
  • 2004All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2005All-WNBA Second Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2006All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2006All-Rookie Team: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2006Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
  • 2007Finals MVP: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2007All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2007All-WNBA First Team: Penny Taylor
  • 2008All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2008Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
  • 2009Most Valuable Player: Diana Taurasi
  • 2009Finals MVP: Diana Taurasi
  • 2009All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2009All-WNBA First Team: Cappie Pondexter
  • 2009All-Rookie Team: DeWanna Bonner
  • 2009Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner
  • 2009Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
  • 2010All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2010Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner
  • 2010Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
  • 2011All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2011All-WNBA Second Team: Penny Taylor
  • 2011Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner
  • 2011Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
  • 2012All-Rookie Team: Samantha Prahalis
  • 2013All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2013All-Rookie Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2014Finals MVP: Diana Taurasi
  • 2014Defensive Player of the Year: Brittney Griner
  • 2014Peak Performer (Assists): Diana Taurasi
  • 2014Coach of the Year: Sandy Brondello
  • 2014All-WNBA First Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2014All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2014All-Defensive First Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2015Defensive Player of the Year: Brittney Griner
  • 2015All-Defensive First Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2015All-Defensive Second Team: DeWanna Bonner
  • 2015All-WNBA First Team: DeWanna Bonner
  • 2015All-WNBA Second Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2016All-Defensive Second Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2017All-WNBA Second Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2017All-WNBA Second Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2018All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2018All-WNBA Second Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2019Most Improved Player: Leilani Mitchell
  • 2019Peak Performer (Points): Brittney Griner
  • 2019All-WNBA First Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2019All-Defensive Second Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2019All-Rookie Team: Brianna Turner
  • 2020All-Defensive First Team: Brianna Turner
  • 2020All-WNBA Second Team: Diana Taurasi
  • 2020All-WNBA Second Team: Skylar Diggins-Smith
  • 2021All-Defensive First Team: Brianna Turner
  • 2021All-Defensive Second Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2021All-WNBA First Team: Skylar Diggins-Smith
  • 2021All-WNBA First Team: Brittney Griner
  • 2022All-WNBA First Team: Skylar Diggins-Smith

Notes

  1. ↑ The WNBA awarded conference championships to the winners of the Conference Finals in the playoffs from 1998 to 2015.

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References

  1. ↑ "Team Directory" (PDF). 2020 Phoenix Mercury Media Guide. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. July 24, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Phoenix Mercury Reproduction Guideline Sheet". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  3. ↑ "Mat Ishbia assumes controlling interest of Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury". NBA. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  4. ↑ "'We're going to win together': Ishbia formally takes over Suns". ESPN UK. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  5. ↑ "WNBA Player to Decide on Playboy". The Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Sports Illustrated, September 24, 2007, p. 67
  7. ↑ "2016 WNBA playoff results". WNBA.com . Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  8. ↑ "MERCURY: Mercury, LifeLock Break New Ground with Partnership". Wnba.com. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  9. ↑ Mercury to retired #7 on WNBA.com
  10. ↑ Michelle Timms on Sports Australia HoF
  11. ↑ [Phoenix Mercury retires Penny Taylor's jersey as Australian greats pay tribute] by Roy Ward on The Sydney Morning Herald, 10 July 2017
  12. ↑ "Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees". Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  13. 1 2 Negley, Cassandra (August 8, 2013). "Phoenix Mercury fire Corey Gaines, hire Russ Pennell as interim coach". Arizona Republic.
  14. ↑ Mercury Names Sandy Brondello Head Coach
  15. ↑ "MERCURY NAMES VANESSA NYGAARD HEAD COACH". Phoenix Mercury. Retrieved 2022-01-24.
  16. ↑ Brown, Brandon (April 20, 2023). "Q&A: Suns' new CEO wants to capitalize on NBA Playoffs, land big concerts and shore up TV broadcasts". Phoenix Business Journal.
  17. ↑ Rankin, Duane (April 28, 2023). "Diamond Sports Group accuses Phoenix Suns of breach of contract in leaving Bally Sports Arizona". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  18. ↑ "WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC". Sports Business. June 18, 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-04.
  19. ↑ "WNBA Announces Plan To Tip Off 2020 Season". WNBA. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2020-06-17.
  20. ↑ "WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida". NBC Sports Washington. 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
  21. ↑ "Mercury Acquires Camille Little, Jillian Alleyne in Three-Team Trade. - Phoenix Mercury". Phoenix Mercury. Retrieved 2017-03-24.
Sporting positions
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2014 (Third title)		Succeeded by
WNBA Western Conference Champions
2014 (Fourth title)
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2009 (Second title)		Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Western Conference Champions
2009 (Third title)
Preceded by WNBA Champions
2007 (First title)		Succeeded by
Preceded by WNBA Western Conference Champions
2007 (Second title)		Succeeded by
Preceded by
First Co-Champions
 WNBA Western Conference co-champions
With Houston Comets
1998 (First title)		Succeeded by
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