![]() 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 addition provided Taurasi with a solid #2 player. The Mercury also drafted Cappie Pondexter with the #2 overall selection in the 2006 WNBA Draft. Westhead was the first WNBA coach to have won a previous NBA championship (1980 LA Lakers). The Mercury posted a 16–18 record in 2005, missing the playoffs again.īringing back "Paul Ball" (2006–2007) įormer NBA coach Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach prior to the 2006 season and brought his up-tempo style to Phoenix. ![]() 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. Diana Taurasi joins the WNBA (2004–2005) Īfter 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. Playboy Magazine offered her money to pose in their magazine. During the lean years, the franchise remained in the news as forward Lisa Harrison would become a sex symbol. ![]() The Mercury went through coach after coach, and nothing worked. ![]() Fielding miserable teams, the Mercury were never competitive. 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.įrom 2001 to 2004, the Mercury were at the bottom of the WNBA. In 2000, the Mercury finished 20–12, but got swept by the Los Angeles Sparks. In 1999, the Mercury missed the playoffs, posting a 15–17 record. In a hard-fought series, the Mercury fell 2 games to 1 to the defending champion Houston Comets. The Mercury defeated the Cleveland Rockers to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time. In 1998, the Mercury again qualified for the playoffs, posting a 19–11 record. The Mercury lost to the New York Liberty, though, in those playoffs. In the very first WNBA season, the Mercury posted a 16–12 record and reached the first WNBA playoffs. 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 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.įranchise history Mercury heating up (1997–1998) 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. The Mercury have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in fifteen of its twenty-four years in Phoenix. The team is owned by Mat Ishbia, who also owns the NBA team Phoenix Suns. The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began it is one of the eight original franchises. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.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). See links for offer details, offers not available in all states and areas. LVA Key Player: Kelsey Plum (23.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 5.0 APG).LAS Key Player: Nneka Ogwumike (17.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.0 APG).LVA Stats: 105.0 PPG (first in WNBA), 64.0 Opp.LAS Stats: 94.0 PPG (second in WNBA), 71.0 Opp.The Aces look to pull off an away win at the Sparks on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET. The Los Angeles Sparks play host to the Las Vegas Aces MIN Key Player: Napheesa Collier (18.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG).PHO Key Player: Brittney Griner (22.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.5 APG).MIN Stats: 71.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 80.0 Opp.Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply).The Lynx look to pull off an away win at the Mercury on Thursday at 10:00 PM ET. In one of the two exciting matchups on the WNBA schedule today, the Minnesota Lynx and the Phoenix Mercury take the court at Footprint Center.Ĭatch live WNBA games, plus tons of other sports and shows, with a free trial to Fubo! Today's WNBA Games The Phoenix Mercury play host to the Minnesota Lynx
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