• Slug: Sports-Phoenix Mercury Resurgence, 830 words.
• Photo available (thumbnail, caption below).

By Aya Abdeen
Cronkite News

PHOENIX – One year ago, the Phoenix Mercury were a train wreck on an 11-game, season-ending losing skid that curtailed their consecutive postseason streak since 2012, with Diana Taurasi and other key players sidelined due to injuries.

Fast forward to September, and the organization appears re-energized following an offseason overhaul that saw only three players returning, along with the installation of a new coaching staff. The team’s energy on and off the court has improved thanks to the additions of Natasha Cloud, Rebecca Allen and Kahleah Copper, bolstered by the playoff and championship experience from the duo of Brittney Griner and Taurasi.

It is also clear there is still work to do. A tough loss Thursday to the Washington Mystics that saw no starters come to the postgame interview room afterward suggests the Mercury are still trying to right the ship.

Overall, the next-woman-up mentality has been working well for the team, led by coach Nate Tibbetts, as it clinched a playoff berth for the 11th time in the last 12 years Tuesday night by defeating the Atlanta Dream 74-66 – and they did it without Cloud, who had to sit out after picking up her seventh technical foul of the season in her previous game.

“Just going into the game, we were down one of our players, we just really wanted to go get this win for us,” Griner said Tuesday. “Just making sure we get that identity before we go into playoffs, getting a win for her (Natasha Cloud) as well.

“I think that was really all that was on our mind going into it. Then, once we clinched, then yeah, it is like, ‘Okay, we got this.’ We got into the playoffs, so we were happy in the end.”

It has been a season filled with ups and downs for the Mercury, who are ranked seventh in the WNBA standings at 17-17 and face the Washington Mystics at Footprint Center Thursday night.

After facing three playoff-bound teams in the first matchups of a five-game homestand, the Mercury got back on track against the Dream as they look to build towards their preparation for another deep playoff run.

“I was just proud of our group for responding after the last three games that we haven’t played up to the level that we’re capable of,” Tibbetts said following the win over Atlanta. “I didn’t think we were perfect tonight, but we were disciplined besides the turnovers, and we were together and connected. The belief was there, the fight was there, and that was encouraging.”

Mercury rookie Celeste Taylor made her first start of her WNBA career and filled in for the suspended Cloud. Taylor played nearly 33 minutes and impacted the defensive end with two steals and a blocked shot.

“She is super solid, not your average rookie,” Copper said. “You wouldn’t think that she bounced around a little bit. She communicates really well, (is a) really good defender, and just makes all the right plays and decisions. I am happy she is with us.”

Mercury center Griner contributed 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists to the win and dedicated the victory to Cloud. Griner made a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter to extend the Mercury’s lead to seven, helping seal a playoff berth.

“My teammates just believing in me and telling me to shoot the ball and shoot the three when I am open up there,” Griner said, referring to the evolution of her perimeter game. “Credit to them, because I don’t really think about it that much. Them hyping me and believing in me is why you see them going in more. It feels good.”

Copper, ranked among the league’s top three players in points per game with 22.2, led the Mercury with 28 points and four assists after scoring 18 in the first half. She has been a game-changer for the Mercury since being acquired from the Chicago Sky this past offseason.

Taurasi, who had 13 points and five assists, will play in the postseason for the 14th time. She and Griner have been in situations where the Mercury came into the playoffs as a lower seed and advanced to the semifinals six times, with the last time happening in the 2021 WNBA Finals.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity,” Tibbetts said. “I’m thankful to be with a great organization, great ownership, and I would be disappointed if we weren’t in the playoffs. We got a really good roster, our front office has done a heck of a job.”

The regular season concludes in two weeks, and the Mercury are looking to climb the standings with six games remaining before the postseason begins on Sept. 22. Phoenix is optimistic about having Allen return to the team before the playoffs after she missed the past few weeks due to a right hamstring injury.

“I’m just hoping for some continuity just as far as getting some people back and just for us to get into a rhythm,” Tibbetts said. “Our goal for us the whole year is, let’s be healthy and playing our best basketball when we get into the playoffs.

“So, we got some more time, but it’s awesome, first year, new team. We want to be at the top of the league for a long time.”

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