Phoenix Mercury
2023 Phoenix Mercury season
Phoenix Mercury logo
ConferenceWestern
LeaguesWNBA
Founded1997 (1997)
HistoryPhoenix Mercury
1997–present
ArenaFootprint Center
LocationPhoenix, Arizona
Team colorsPurple, orange, light grey, black[1][2]
       
Main sponsorFry’s Food and Drug
General managerNick U'Ren
Head coachNate Tibbetts
Assistant(s)Charli Turner Thorne
Taja Edwards
Tully Bevilaqua
OwnershipMat Ishbia
Championships3 (2007, 2009, 2014)
Conference titles4 (1998, 2007, 2009, 2014)[lower-alpha 1]
Websitemercury.wnba.com
Heroine jersey
Team colours
Heroine
Explorer jersey
Team colours
Explorer
Rebel jersey
Team colours
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.

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

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

Season Team Conference Regular season Playoff Results Head coach
W L PCT
Phoenix Mercury
1997 1997 West 1st 16 12 .571 Lost WNBA Semifinals (New York, 0–1) Cheryl Miller
1998 1998 West 2nd 19 11 .633 Won WNBA Semifinals (Cleveland, 2–1)
Lost WNBA Finals (Houston, 1–2)		 Cheryl Miller
1999 1999 West 4th 15 17 .469 Did not qualify Cheryl Miller
2000 2000 West 4th 20 12 .625 Lost Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 0–2) Cheryl Miller
2001 2001 West 5th 13 19 .406 Did not qualify Cynthia Cooper
2002 2002 West 7th 11 21 .344 Did not qualify C. Cooper (6–4)
L. Sharp (5–17)
2003 2003 West 7th 8 26 .235 Did not qualify John Shumate
2004 2004 West 5th 17 17 .500 Did not qualify Carrie Graf
2005 2005 West 5th 16 18 .471 Did not qualify Carrie Graf
2006 2006 West 5th 18 16 .529 Did not qualify Paul Westhead
2007 2007 West 1st 23 11 .676 Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (San Antonio, 2–0)
Won WNBA Finals (Detroit, 3–2)		 Paul Westhead
2008 2008 West 7th 16 18 .471 Did not qualify Corey Gaines
2009 2009 West 1st 23 11 .676 Won Conference Semifinals (San Antonio, 2–1)
Won Conference Finals (Los Angeles, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Indiana, 3–2)		 Corey Gaines
2010 2010 West 2nd 15 19 .441 Won Conference Semifinals (San Antonio, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Seattle, 0–2)		 Corey Gaines
2011 2011 West 3rd 19 15 .559 Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Minnesota, 0–2)		 Corey Gaines
2012 2012 West 6th 7 27 .206 Did not qualify Corey Gaines
2013 2013 West 3rd 19 15 .559 Won Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 2–1)
Lost Conference Finals (Minnesota, 0–2)		 Corey Gaines (10–11)
Russ Pennell (9–4)
2014 2014 West 1st 29 5 .853 Won Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 2–0)
Won Conference Finals (Minnesota, 2–1)
Won WNBA Finals (Chicago, 3–0)		 Sandy Brondello
2015 2015 West 2nd 20 14 .588 Won Conference Semifinals (Tulsa, 2–0)
Lost Conference Finals (Minnesota, 0–2)		 Sandy Brondello
2016 2016 West 4th 16 18 .471 Won First Round (Indiana, 1–0)
Won Second Round (New York, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Semifinals (Minnesota, 0–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2017 2017 West 3rd 18 16 .529 Won First Round (Seattle, 1–0)
Won Second Round (Connecticut, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Semifinals (Los Angeles, 0–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2018 2018 West 2nd 20 14 .588 Won First Round (Dallas, 1–0)
Won Second Round (Connecticut, 1–0)
Lost WNBA Semifinals (Seattle, 2–3)		 Sandy Brondello
2019 2019 West 5th 15 19 .441 Lost First Round (Chicago, 0–1) Sandy Brondello
2020 2020 West 5th 13 9 .591 Won First Round (Washington, 1–0)
Lost Second Round (Minnesota, 0–1)		 Sandy Brondello
2021 2021 West 4th 19 13 .594 Won 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 4th 15 21 .417 Lost First Round (Las Vegas 0–2) Vanessa Nygaard
2023 2023 West 12th 9 31 .225 Did not qualify Vanessa Nygaard(2–10)
Nikki Blue(7–21)
Regular season 449 445 .502 5 Conference Championships
Playoffs 47 41 .534 3 WNBA Championships

Players

Current roster

Phoenix Mercury roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G9United StatesCunningham, Sophie6' 1" (1.85m)170 lb (77kg)1996-08-16Missouri4
G4United StatesDiggins-Smith, Skylar (Maternity Leave)5' 9" (1.75m)145 lb (66kg)1990-08-02Notre Dame9
C42United StatesGriner, Brittney Injured6' 9" (2.06m)205 lb (93kg)1990-10-18Baylor9
C10United StatesGustafson, Megan6' 3" (1.91m)195 lb (88kg)1996-12-13Iowa4
G8United StatesJefferson, Moriah5' 6" (1.68m)123 lb (56kg)1994-03-08Connecticut6
G23United StatesJoens, Ashley6' 0" (1.83m)160 lb (73kg)2000-03-16Iowa StateR
F12United StatesOnyenwere, Michaela6' 0" (1.83m)178 lb (81kg)1999-08-10UCLA2
G11United StatesPeddy, Shey Injured5' 7" (1.7m)145 lb (66kg)1988-10-28Temple4
F30FranceSissoko, Kadi6' 2" (1.88m)165 lb (75kg)1999-01-25USCR
G1United StatesSutton, Sug5' 8" (1.73m)140 lb (64kg)1998-12-17Texas1
G/F3United StatesTaurasi, Diana Injured6' 0" (1.83m)163 lb (74kg)1982-06-11Connecticut18
F21United StatesTurner, Brianna6' 3" (1.91m)170 lb (77kg)1996-07-05Notre Dame4
G/F25United StatesWilliams, Madi5' 11" (1.8m)164 lb (74kg)1999-10-29OklahomaR
Head coach
United States Nate Tibbetts (South Dakota)
Assistant coaches
Australia Tully Bevilaqua
United States Taja Edwards (Fresno State)
United States Charli Turner Thorne (Stanford)
Athletic trainer
United States Hannah Breck (Boston University)
Strength and conditioning coach
United States Derrick Nillissen (Iowa Wesleyan)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured 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. Player Position Tenure Date Ref.
7Michele TimmsG1997–2001August 7, 2002[9][10]
13Penny TaylorG/F2004–2016July 9, 2017[11]
22Jennifer GillomF1997–2002
32Bridget PettisG1997–2006

Hall of Famers

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

FIBA Hall of Famers

Phoenix Mercury Hall of Famers
Players
No. Name Position Tenure Inducted
7Michele TimmsG1997–20012016

Coaches and staff

Owners

Head coaches

Phoenix Mercury head coaches
Name Start End Seasons Regular season Playoffs
WLPCTGWLPCTG
Cheryl MillerJanuary 27, 1997December 1, 200047052.57412236.3339
Cynthia CooperJanuary 8, 2001June 26, 200221923.4524200.0000
Linda SharpJune 26, 2002end of 20021517.2272200.0000
John ShumateOctober 23, 2002end of 20031826.2353400.0000
Carrie GrafApril 14, 2004end of 200523335.4856800.0000
Paul WestheadOctober 11, 2005September 18, 200724127.6036872.7789
Corey GainesNovember 7, 2007August 8, 2013[13]690101.471191119.55020
Russ PennellAugust 8, 2013[13]October 18, 2013194.6921323.4005
Sandy BrondelloNovember 15, 2013 [14] December 6, 20218164128.5622922419.55845
Vanessa NygaardJanuary 24, 2022 [15]June 25, 202321731.3543602.0002
Nikki BlueJune 25, 2023October 17, 20231721.250000–0
Nate TibbettsOctober 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.

General managers

Assistant coaches

Statistics

Phoenix Mercury statistics
1990s
Season Individual Team vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
1997 J. Gillom (15.7) T. Foster (6.1) M. Timms (5.1) 69.2 vs 65.2 32.9 vs 33.0 .373 vs .413
1998 J. Gillom (20.8) J. Gillom (7.3) M. Timms (5.3) 73.9 vs 67.5 31.4 vs 31.4 .424 vs .434
1999 J. Gillom (15.2) M. Askamp (7.2) M. Timms (5.0) 68.0 vs 68.2 31.3 vs 31.6 .399 vs .415
2000s
Season Individual Team vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2000 B. Reed (19.0) B. Reed (5.8) M. Cleary (3.2) 70.1 vs 65.7 27.9 vs 30.3 .446 vs .423
2001 J. Gillom (12.3) M. Stepanova (6.3) K. Veal (4.3) 64.5 vs 67.8 29.4 vs 32.2 .405 vs .415
2002 J. Gillom (15.3) A. Williams (6.9) G. Grubin (3.3) 65.3 vs 71.6 28.7 vs 31.3 .420 vs .455
2003 A. DeForge (11.9) A. Williams (7.4) T. Jackson (4.3) 61.7 vs 66.8 29.4 vs 32.8 .382 vs .447
2004 D. Taurasi (17.0) P. Taylor (4.8) D. Taurasi (3.9) 67.6 vs 65.7 26.9 vs 30.0 .430 vs .425
2005 D. Taurasi (16.0) K. Vodichkova (7.0) D. Taurasi (4.5) 69.4 vs 69.2 31.2 vs 30.1 .414 vs .429
2006 D. Taurasi (25.3) K. Vodichkova (6.7) D. Taurasi (4.1) 87.1 vs 84.7 33.7 vs 37.7 .443 vs .433
2007 D. Taurasi (19.2) T. Smith (6.5) K. Miller (4.6) 89.0 vs 85.4 33.9 vs 40.9 .439 vs .405
2008 D. Taurasi (24.1) T. Smith (7.0) K. Miller (4.0) 88.5 vs 88.5 36.1 vs 38.2 .430 vs .421
2009 D. Taurasi (20.4) D. Bonner (5.8) C. Pondexter (5.0) 92.8 vs 89.1 35.0 vs 37.8 .460 vs .424
2010s
Season Individual Team vs Opponents
PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG%
2010 D. Taurasi (22.6) C. Dupree (7.6) P. Taylor (5.0) 93.9 vs 93.8 35.7 vs 37.6 .473 vs .455
2011 D. Taurasi (21.6) C. Dupree (8.2) P. Taylor (4.7) 89.0 vs 86.0 35.1 vs 34.2 .461 vs .440
2012 D. Bonner (20.6) K. Thomas (8.0) S. Prahalis (4.5) 74.5 vs 86.7 37.4 vs 36.1 .384 vs .437
2013 D. Taurasi (20.3) C. Dupree (6.4) D. Taurasi (6.2) 79.7 vs 80.3 35.1 vs 34.2 .453 vs .411
2014 D. Taurasi (16.2) B. Griner (8.0) D. Taurasi (5.6) 83.5 vs 74.1 33.7 vs 34.5 .484 vs .409
2015 D. Bonner (15.8) B. Griner (8.1) D. Bonner (3.3) 75.1 vs 72.3 33.4 vs 35.0 .437 vs .396
2016 D. Taurasi (17.8) B. Griner (6.5) D. Taurasi (3.9) 84.6 vs 83.3 32.4 vs 34.4 .453 vs .440
2017 B. Griner (21.9) B. Griner (7.6) L. Mitchell (3.6) 81.9 vs 81.9 32.1 vs 34.6 .440 vs .438
2018 D. Taurasi (20.7) B. Griner (7.7) D. Taurasi (5.3) 85.8 vs 83.2 32.6 vs 34.4 .457 vs .431
2019 B. Griner (20.7) D. Bonner (7.6) D. Taurasi (5.3) 76.5 vs 77.6 32.5 vs 37.2 .424 vs .422
2020s
Season Individual Team 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 84.1 34.0 vs 36.0 .450 vs .425
2021 B. Griner (20.5) B. Griner (9.5) S. Diggins-Smith (5.3) 82.1 vs 79.5 36.2 vs 34.9 .450 vs .417
2022 S. Diggins-Smith (19.7) B. Turner (6.8) S. Diggins-Smith (5.5) 81.1 vs 84.1 31.2 vs 37.2 .429 vs .441
2023 B. Griner (17.5) B. Griner & B. Turner (6.3) S. Sutton (4.8) 76.6 vs. 84.9 24.3 vs. 30.8 44.4 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
Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA 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

  • 1997 Elite: Bridget Pettis (7), Nancy Lieberman-Cline (15)
  • 1997: Toni Foster (8), Tia Jackson (9), Umeki Webb (24), Monique Ambers (25)
  • 1998: Maria Stepanova (8), Andrea Kuklova (18), Brandy Reed (28), Karen Wilkins (38)
  • 1999: Edna Campbell (10), Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil (22), Lisa Harrison (34), Amanda Wilson (46)
  • 2000: Adrian Williams (21), Tauja Catchings (37), Shantia Owens (53)
  • 2001: Kristen Veal (13), Ilona Korstine (29), Tere Williams (45), Carolyn Moos (53), Megan Franza (61)
  • 2002: Tootie Shaw (25), Kayte Christensen (40), Amba Kongolo (56)
  • 2003 Miami/Portland Dispersal Draft: Tamicha Jackson (4)
  • 2003: Plenette Pierson (4), Petra Ujhelyi (16), Telisha Quarles (31), Marion Jones (33)
  • 2004 Cleveland Dispersal Draft: Penny Taylor (1)
  • 2004: Diana Taurasi (1), Chandi Jones (8), Ashley Robinson (14), Maria Villarroel (27)
  • 2005: Sandora Irvin (3), Angelina Williams (18), Jamie Carey (31)
  • 2006: Cappie Pondexter (2), Liz Shimek (18), Mistie Williams (21), Crystal Smith (32)
  • 2007 Charlotte Dispersal Draft: selection waived
  • 2007: Lindsey Harding (1), Tyresa Smith (18), Leah Rush (28), Chrissy Givens (31), Emily Westerbeg (37)
  • 2008: LaToya Pringle (13), Leilani Mitchell (25), Merscilla Packer (41)
  • 2009 Houston Dispersal Draft: Sequoia Holmes (5)
  • 2009: DeWanna Bonner (5), Sha Brooks (31), Jessica Adair (34)
  • 2010 Sacramento Dispersal Draft: selection waived
  • 2010: Tyra Grant (24), Nyeshia Stevenson (36)
  • 2011: Brittany Spears (19), Tahnee Robinson (31)
  • 2012: Samantha Prahalis (6), C'eria Ricketts (24), Christine Flores (30), Amanda Johnson (33)
  • 2013: Brittney Griner (1), Nikki Greene (26)
  • 2014: Tiffany Bias (17), Maggie Lucas (21), Stephanie Talbot (33)
  • 2015: Isabelle Harrison (12), Alex Harden (18), Žofia Hruščáková (24), Promise Amukamara (36)
  • 2016: Courtney Williams (8), Jullian Alleyne (20), Nirra Fields (32)
  • 2017: Alexis Prince (29)
  • 2018: Marie Gülich (12), Tyler Scaife (20), Raisa Musina (21), Imani Wright (26)
  • 2019: Alanna Smith (8), Sophie Cunningham (13), Arica Carter (32)
  • 2020: Jocelyn Willoughby (10), Te'a Cooper (18), Stella Johnson (29)
  • 2021: Ciera Johnson (32)
  • 2022: Maya Dodson (26), Macee Williams (32)
  • 2023: Destiny Harden (27), Kadi Sissoko (29)

Trades

  • July 31, 1997: The Mercury acquired Mikiko Hagiwara from the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for future considerations.
  • July 6, 1998: The Mercury traded Pauline Jordan to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for Tiffani Johnson.
  • October 27, 1999: The Mercury traded Marlies Askamp, Angela Aycock and Kristi Harrower to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Adia Barnes, Tonya Edwards and Trisha Fallon.
  • February 18, 2000: The Mercury acquired Brandy Reed from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the fifth pick in the 2000 Draft.
  • April 25, 2000: The Mercury traded Shantia Owens to the Miami Sol in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2001 Draft.
  • May 27, 2001: The Mercury acquired Jaynetta Saunders from the Cleveland Rockers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
  • June 22, 2001: The Mercury traded Tonya Edwards to the Charlotte Sting in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
  • March 4, 2002: The Mercury traded the eighth pick in the 2002 Draft to the Cleveland Rockers in exchange for Pollyana Johns-Kimborough.
  • March 4, 2002: The Mercury traded the 15th pick in the 2002 Draft to the Miami Sol in exchange for Tracy Reid and the 13th pick in the 2002 Draft.
  • March 4, 2002: The Mercury traded Bridget Pettis and the 13th pick in the 2002 Draft to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Gordana Grubin.
  • May 3, 2002: The Mercury traded a fourth-round pick in the 2003 Draft to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Claudia das Neves.
  • May 5, 2002: The Mercury traded Claudia das Neves to the Miami Sol in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2003 Draft.
  • April 28, 2003: The Mercury traded Petra Ujhelyi and Telisha Quarles to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Edwina Brown and Lenae Williams.
  • July 31, 2003: The Mercury traded Stacey Thomas to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Tamara Moore.
  • June 29, 2005: The Mercury traded Plenette Pierson to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Andrea Stinson and a second-round pick in the 2006 Draft.
  • February 21, 2007: The Mercury traded Sandora Irvin to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2008 Draft.
  • April 2, 2007: The Mercury traded a second-round pick in the 2008 Draft to the New York Liberty in exchange for Kelly Schumacher.
  • April 4, 2007: The Mercury traded Lindsey Harding to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tangela Smith.
  • May 7, 2008: The Mercury traded Leilani Mitchell to the New York Liberty in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2009 Draft.
  • January 30, 2009: The Mercury traded Kelly Miller and LaToya Pringle to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Nicole Ohlde.
  • March 20, 2009: The Mercury traded Barbara Farris to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for A'Quonesia Franklin and Kim Smith.
  • March 26, 2009: The Mercury traded a first-round pick in the 2010 Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Temeka Johnson.
  • March 30, 2010: The Mercury traded Cappie Pondexter and Kelly Mazzante to the New York Liberty and received Candice Dupree from the Chicago Sky. Chicago received Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld from New York as part of this trade.
  • July 23, 2010: The Mercury traded Nicole Ohlde and a first-round pick in the 2011 Draft in exchange for Kara Braxton.
  • April 11, 2011: The Mercury traded Tahnee Robinson to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2012 Draft.
  • August 4, 2011: The Mercury traded Kara Braxton to the New York Liberty in exchange for Sidney Spencer.
  • January 12, 2012: The Mercury traded Temeka Johnson to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for Andrea Riley.
  • February 2, 2012: The Mercury traded a second-round pick in the 2013 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Alexis Hornbuckle.
  • February 28, 2012: The Mercury traded the 18th pick in the 2012 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Charde Houston and the 24th pick in the 2012 Draft.
  • March 11, 2014: The Mercury traded Lynetta Kizer to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Erin Phillips.
  • March 27, 2014: The Mercury traded Charde Houston to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Ewelina Kobryn.
  • May 12, 2014: The Mercury traded Maggie Lucas to the Indiana Fever in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2015 Draft.
  • May 9, 2016: The Mercury traded Monique Currie to the San Antonio Stars in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2017 Draft.
  • June 25, 2016: The Mercury traded Courtney Williams, Jillian Alleyne, and San Antonio's second-round pick to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for Kelsey Bone.
  • June 25, 2016: The Mercury traded Noelle Quinn to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Angel Robinson.
  • January 31, 2017: The Mercury traded Isabelle Harrison and a 2017 first round draft pick to the San Antonio Stars in exchange for Danielle Robinson.
  • February 21, 2017: In a three-team trade, the Mercury traded Candice Dupree and a second round pick in the 2017 Draft to the Indiana Fever and acquired Camille Little and the draft rights to Jillian Alleyne from the Connecticut Sun.[21]
  • February 21, 2018: The Mercury traded Cayla George for the 21st pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. In a separate trade, the Mercury traded Kelsey Bone for 26th pick in the 2018 WNBA draft and a third round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft.
  • March 6, 2018: The Mercury traded the 8th pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft for Briann January. In a separate trade, the Mercury traded Danielle Robinson and a second round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft for the 12th pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft.
  • May 21, 2019: The Mercury traded Stephanie Talbot to Minnesota in exchange for Minnesota's second round pick in the 2020 Draft.
  • February 11, 2020: The Mercury traded DeWanna Bonner to Connecticut in exchange for the 7th and 10th pick in the 2020 Draft and Connecticut's first round pick in the 2021 Draft.
  • February 12, 2020: The Mercury traded the 5th and 7th pick in the 2020 Draft and Connecticut's first round pick in the 2021 Draft (acquired via Feb. 11 trade) to Dallas in exchange for Skylar Diggins-Smith.
  • February 19, 2020: The Mercury traded Briann January, the 17th pick in the 2020 Draft, and their second round pick in the 2021 Draft to Atlanta for Jessica Breland and Nia Coffey.
  • April 17, 2020: The Mercury traded the draft rights to Jocelyn Willoughby to New York in exchange for Shatori Walker-Kimbrough.
  • February 10, 2021: The Mercury traded the 6th overall pick in the 2021 Draft and a first round pick in the 2022 Draft to New York in exchange for Kia Nurse and Megan Walker.
  • February 13, 2021: The Mercury traded Yvonne Turner to Atlanta for the Dream's 2022 third round pick.
  • January 31, 2022: The Mercury traded Kia Vaugh to Atlanta for the Dream's 2023 third round pick.
  • February 3, 2022: The Mercury traded Bria Hartley, the 20th pick in the 2022 Draft and a second round pick in the 2023 Draft to Indiana and their 2023 First Round pick to Chicago in exchange for Diamond DeShields.
  • February 11, 2023: The Mercury traded Diamond DeShields and the right to swap 2025 first round picks with New York in exchange for Michaela Onyenwere, and Chicago's Third Round pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and Second Round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

All-Stars

  • 1997: No All-Star Game
  • 1998: No All-Star Game
  • 1999: Michelle Timms
  • 2000: Brandy Reed
  • 2001: None
  • 2002: None
  • 2003: Adrian Williams
  • 2004: Anna DeForge, Diana Taurasi
  • 2005: Diana Taurasi
  • 2006: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi
  • 2007: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor
  • 2008: No All-Star Game
  • 2009: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi
  • 2010: Candice Dupree, Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor
  • 2011: Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor
  • 2012: No All-Star Game
  • 2013: Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
  • 2014: Candice Dupree, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
  • 2015: DeWanna Bonner, Candice Dupree, Brittney Griner
  • 2016: No All-Star Game
  • 2017: Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
  • 2018: DeWanna Bonner, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
  • 2019: DeWanna Bonner, Brittney Griner
  • 2020: No All-Star Game
  • 2021: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
  • 2022: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Brittney Griner
  • 2023: Brittney Griner

Olympians

  • 2000: Maria Stepanova (RUS)
  • 2004: Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor (AUS)
  • 2008: Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, Penny Taylor (AUS)
  • 2012: Diana Taurasi
  • 2016: Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor (AUS), Sonja Petrović (SER), Lindsey Harding (BLR), Marta Xargay (ESP)
  • 2020: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, Kia Nurse (CAN), Alanna Smith (AUS)

Honors and awards

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

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.
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