October 20, 2025

Phoenix Mercury’s Bold Comeback to WNBA Finals

News Summary

The Phoenix Mercury surprised everyone by reaching the WNBA Finals after a significant roster overhaul. General manager Nick U’Ren’s strategic moves included acquiring All-Star Alyssa Thomas and star Satou Sabally, forming a new powerhouse trio. With a solid regular season performance and thrilling playoff victories, the Mercury have revitalized hopes for the franchise’s future. However, they face challenges ahead, including navigating free agency negotiations as key players become unrestricted free agents. The team’s leadership and culture have played a crucial role in their success this season.

Phoenix, Arizona – The Phoenix Mercury shocked the sports world this season by reaching the WNBA Finals, a feat made possible through a bold roster redesign that included moving on from iconic players Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner after three turbulent seasons.

Under the leadership of general manager Nick U’Ren, the Mercury undertook a comprehensive strategic overhaul aimed at reshaping the team’s future. U’Ren’s aggressive approach led to a historic trade, the largest in WNBA history, through which the Mercury acquired All-Star forward Alyssa Thomas and emerging star Satou Sabally. Together with veteran Kahleah Copper, they formed a new ‘Big Three’ aiming to breathe new life into the franchise.

U’Ren’s strategy was clear: to build a competitive team as quickly as possible while avoiding a full rebuild. This determination paid off, as the Mercury finished the regular season with a 27-17 record, significantly outperforming analysts’ preseason forecasts that ranked them seventh among 13 teams.

The team’s impressive performance set the stage for a thrilling playoff run, where the Mercury triumphed over the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx, propelling them to the finals. Alyssa Thomas led the charge with remarkable consistency, setting a WNBA record for the most triple-doubles in a season with eight, and earning spots on both the First Team All-WNBA and All-Defensive Teams.

Meanwhile, Satou Sabally emerged as a crucial player in the postseason, leading the team in scoring with an average of 16.3 points per game and gaining recognition as an All-Star starter in her debut season with the Mercury. Additionally, the mid-season return of DeWanna Bonner, another former cornerstone of the franchise, provided invaluable experience to the squad during their playoff quest.

Despite a formidable showing throughout the season and playoffs, the Mercury faced a tough challenge in the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces, ultimately getting swept in the championship series as the Aces clinched their third title.

A significant part of the Mercury’s success was attributed to the team culture established by U’Ren and head coach Nate Tibbetts. Their leadership emphasized values such as transparency, mutual respect, and a collective ambition to succeed, which helped the newly configured team coalesce effectively throughout the season.

As the Mercury contend with the aftermath of their surprising playoff success, they now face potential challenges ahead. Complications could arise in light of upcoming negotiations surrounding the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with nearly all players in the league expected to enter free agency. Key players such as Thomas, Sabally, Copper, and Bonner, along with a significant portion of the roster, are among those who will become unrestricted free agents, potentially threatening the continuity of the team.

Despite these uncertainties, U’Ren has indicated plans are in place to build upon the progress made this season. He is already exploring strategies to further improve the team moving forward. Furthermore, the contributions of rookies like Monique Akoa Makani were notable; she became the first Cameroonian player to feature on a WNBA Finals roster and made a significant impact in her inaugural season.

In summary, the Phoenix Mercury’s transformative offseason decisions and subsequent performance this year have not only revived the team but also ignited hopes for a bright future. As they navigate the complexities of free agency and team development, the Mercury’s journey remains one to watch in the upcoming season.

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