The Phoenix Mercury is the team that gave Diana Taurasi to the WNBA league. A player who extended her limits beyond the potential of her age and is still giving her best in the league. However, it is not just Taurasi who defined the rich culture of the Phoenix Mercury. The team has made various playoff appearances and even won championships.
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Know All About Phoenix Mercury Roster, Profile, Owner, Key Player and More

The contributing factors to their success were the players who kept pushing for better and were there to stay for their franchise. Today we are going to explore such an organization that defied the concept of aged players in the league and nourished legends.
Phoenix Mercury Profile
Phoenix Mercury has a large fanbase with a rich history of championships, playoff appearances, and a pool of legendary players in the league. However, we get to know about such powerhouse players. Let’s explore the primary details about the Phoenix Mercury as an organization:
Information | Details |
---|---|
Founded | 1997 |
Owner(s) | Mat Ishbia |
Location | Phoenix, Arizona, United States |
Nickname | Mercury |
Head Coach | Nate Tibbetts |
Mascots | Scorch |
Arena/Stadium | Footprint Center, downtown Phoenix |
Social Media (Page) | Instagram, Facebook, X |
Net Worth | $105 million (Approx) |
Championship/MVP | 3(2007, 2009, 2014)/ 1 WNBA MVP(2009) |
Popular Players | Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper |
Phoenix Mercury History
The Phoenix Mercury is one of the original 8 teams from the inaugural W.N.B.A. season that began in 1997. The Mercury franchise, based in Phoenix, Arizona, has become one of the most recognized teams in the league. The Mercury have had a historic run of competing at a high level in the league and winning basketball games; they have won the W.N.B.A. championship three times in 2007, 2009, and 2014. The Mercury won the first championship in 2007 with legendary guard Diana Taurasi and legendary head coach Paul Westhead. Taurasi has become the face of the franchise for the past twenty years, having had some legendary players as teammates like Cappie Pondexter, Brittney Griner, and Penny Taylor. The Mercury were known for high-scoring output but also great playoff consistency. The franchise has had plenty of playoff appearances and a great fan base. The team plays home games at Footprint Center in Phoenix. As of 2025, the Mercury are currently in a rebuilding mode to ultimately pass the mantle down to new star players, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper, to begin the next chapter of Mercury basketball.
Phoenix Mercury Stats
A thorough deep-dive into the latest Phoenix Mercury stats, assessed with the context of their strengths, best performances, and their contributions overall, of the past few seasons. From points per game to rebounds, assists, and defensive statistics, you'll be able to see how key players on the Mercury are contributing to the game while they are on the court. Whether you are tracking the rise of new stars or the way the team is coming together, or both, these statistics provide a strong understanding of where Mercury fits and who they are as a competitor in the WNBA.
Year | Individual PPG | Individual RPG | Individual APG | Team PPG | Team RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | D. Taurasi 18.7 | B. Turner 9.0 | D. Taurasi & B. Hartley 4.5 | 86.1 | 34 |
2021 | B. Griner 20.5 | B. Griner 9.5 | S. Diggins 5.3 | 82.1 | 26.2 |
2022 | S. Diggins 19.7 | B. Turner 6.8 | S. Diggins 5.5 | 81.1 | 31.2 |
2023 | B. Griner 17.5 | B. Griner & B. Turner 6.3 | S. Sutton 4.8 | 76.6 | 30.9 |
2024 | K. Copper 21.1 | B. Griner 6.6 | N. Cloud 6.9 | 81.5 | 32.3 |
Phoenix Mercury Famous Players
The Mercury have given legends to the game of basketball and the WNBA. They played their heart out for the franchise and are still contributing to the team. Let’s take a look at these players who are generational players as individuals:
- Satou Sabally
- Alyssa Thomas
- Kahleah Copper
Satou Sabally

In the 2025 WNBA season, Satou Sabally is a key addition to the Phoenix Mercury after being traded from the Dallas Wings, and within a couple of days, she became a "core" part of their new identity alongside Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. She has already made a huge impact on the court, averaging around 20 points, 8 rebounds, and a handful of assists each night on both ends of the court, ultimately leading the team in scoring. Sabally has range and versatility and can play the forward spot or either position, providing the Mercury with many options.
In her first game with Phoenix, she scored a new franchise record 27 points as the most points any Mercury player has scored in their debut. Sabally's notoriety, too, is from being a large part of Germany's success in qualifying for their first women's Olympic basketball appearance as a player and assistant coach. There is no question that her size and dimensions, leadership abilities, consistency, two-way play, and potential make her a significant contributor to Phoenix's playoff push, and the mere fact that the identity of and players on this Mercury team are changing as legends like Diana Taurasi get closer to retirement. Given her age and the aforementioned factors, Sabally's impact will be both immediate and long-lasting.
Alyssa Thomas

Alyssa Thomas has been one of the breakout stars of the 2025 season for the Phoenix Mercury. Following a season-defining trade to the Mercury from the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA's off-season, Thomas has made an immediate impact and has already become an emerging leader and playmaker. Recognized as one of the strongest, most versatile, and smartest players in the league, Thomas has registered almost 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists per game. As not only an offensive powerhouse as a "point-forward," and guarding the best offensive player defensively, Thomas has shown she can score, rebound, and assist. Thomas is always a threat for a triple-double against any opponent a team might face. Thomas brings toughness and stability to the Mercury, especially where star Brittney Griner has been out with an injury. The way Thomas has played has allowed her teammates to play to their strengths early in the season, especially Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper.
Kahleah Copper

Kahleah Copper is a star and offensive force for the Phoenix Mercury in the 2025 WNBA season. After a strong 2024 season where she averaged over 21 points per game, she continues to be important to the Phoenix discourse on the court. Copper is hard to defend as a guard-forward because of her speed, athleticism, and relentlessness as an offensive threat. Copper has injected this group with her tempo and ability as a creator and scorer since returning fully healthy from her knee injury. She can create her own shot as well as being a clutch performer late in games. Copper, with starters Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, creates an offensive trinity for the Mercury. Beyond her skill on the floor, Copper brings a ton of experience and veteran savvy, with championship-winning experience and leadership, to a locker room that lifts the entire group. The Mercury relies on Copper to help foster an improved team identity and towards the WNBA playoffs.
Phoenix Mercury Roster
Phoenix Mercury roster has some legendary players. Surprisingly, the 2025-26 season Roster includes many rookies. As experienced players in the league, fans are expecting Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Cooper, and Satou Sabally for a stable journey in the playoffs. Meanwhile, rookies are also gaining attention for their talent and the young athleticism they bring to the team. The upcoming roster of the Mercury for the upcoming season can be given as follows, according to the official page of the Phoenix Mercury:
Pos. | No. | Nat. | Name | Height | Weight | DOB | From | Yrs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guard/Forward | 2 | USA | Kahleah Copper | 6′ 1″ | 165 lb (75kg) | 1994-08-28 | Rutgers | 9 |
Forward | 4 | USA | Natasha Mack | 6′ 3″ | 182 lb (83kg) | 1997-11-03 | Oklahoma State | 2 |
Forward | 0 | Germany | Satou Sabally | 6' 4" | 175 lb (79 kg) | 1998-04-25 | Oregon | 5 |
Guard | 1 | USA | Lexi Held | 5'10" | - | 1999-12-28 | DePaul | R |
Guard | 8 | Cameroon | Monique Akoa Makani | 5'10" | - | 2001-02-04 | - | R |
Guard | 9 | Latvia | Kitija Laksa | 6'1" | 155 lb (70 kg) | 1996-05-21 | South Florida | R |
Guard | 16 | - | Megan McConnell | 5'7" | - | 2001-11-12 | Duquesne | R |
Forward | 20 | Nigeria | Murjanatu Musa | 6'0" | - | 2000-05-05 | - | R |
Center | 21 | USA | Kalani Brown | 6'7" | 245 lb (111 kg) | 1997-03-21 | Baylor | 5 |
Forward | 24 | USA | Kathryn Westbeld | 6'3" | - | 1996-01-29 | Notre Dame | R |
Forward | 25 | USA | Alyssa Thomas | 6'2" | 203 lb (92 kg) | 1992-04-12 | Maryland | 11 |
Guard | 33 | Australia | Sami Whitcomb | 5'10" | 149 lb (68 kg) | 1988-07-20 | Washington | 8 |
Phoenix Mercury Head Coach

The present Phoenix Mercury coach is Nate Tibbetts, who joined the franchise as head coach in October 2023. He has been in basketball for a long time and has 12 years of NBA experience as an assistant coach in the Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as head coaching experience in the G League. He has a lot of experience to take to the WNBA. At the Phoenix Mercury, he has implemented a modern-style "five-out" offense, focusing on spacing, three-point shooting, and pace; he has put the building blocks in place for the team's recent renaissance. He helped to guide the Phoenix Mercury to a 19-21 record and a playoff appearance in his first season, making them a respectable game under 0.500 after previously finishing at the bottom of the standings in 2023. Tibbetts has received positive feedback from owner Mat Ishbia and GM Nick Uren on building a winning culture and a shared vision for the organization. Under Tobberts and the front office's plan, Phoenix is on its way to becoming a well-rounded, competitive team again and wants championship-caliber success again, and the Phoenix Mercury coach is driving it all.
Phoenix Mercury Owner

Phoenix Mercury's owner is Mat Ishbia. In February 2023, Ishbia signed a deal valued at about 4 billion dollars to purchase the Phoenix Mercury along with the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. While definitely a steep cost, Ishbia appears all in on investing in women's basketball and making the WNBA more visible. Since Ishbia took ownership, he has increased his financial commitment to the team, improved existing and constructed new facilities at Footprint Center, and enhanced each marketing payload.
The Phoenix Mercury's owner has also been vocal about the idea of equality in sports with the aim of providing Mercury players with the same resources as NBA players. While there is established history and previous ownership groups shall garner credit for having built successful foundations, Ishbia's ownership should usher in a new chapter for the franchise, having hoped for extreme sustained success on and off the court.
Phoenix Mercury Worth
The Phoenix Mercury has one of the most valuable franchises in the WNBA. It is estimated that the franchise value is around $105 million. They are one of the top five valued franchises in the league. The Mercury earns a revenue of approximately $15 to $25 million annually from strong ticket sales, merchandise sales, and major sponsorship deals with brands like Fry's, Verizon, and PayPal. The value on its own is enhanced as the Phoenix Mercury has an affinity with the NBA Phoenix Suns, who sold together as part of a sale in 2022, which was for $4 billion, that gives the franchise access to shared facilities, and a stronger marketing platform to connect with fans due to the partnership with the NBA Suns. The Mercury has had success on the floor, winning three championships, and combined with a fairly strong local fanbase, makes the Mercury a franchise that is a significant player in the growth of women's basketball. With the popularity of the WNBA growing more and more, the franchise value will not decrease anytime soon.
Phoenix Mercury Stadium

The Phoenix Mercury's stadium is the Footprint Center, is located in Phoenix, AZ. Originally opened in 1992, the arena had a prior life called America West Arena and Talking Stick Resort Arena. The seating capacity for basketball events is approximately 17,000. The Phoenix Mercury have called the arena home since their arrival to Phoenix in 1997 and although in 2020-2021 they had a vast renovation done to include new wider seats, wider concourses for more foot traffic, and new high-definition video boards, surface mounted and suspended and a brand new up-to-date lighting/sound which helped push the Footprint Center to one of the best fan centered venues in the WNBA. The renovation of sponsorship renaming rights included some sustainability programs aimed at energy savings with the installation of LED lights and other plastic consumption reduction programs to have a point of operation. The Footprint Center is home to other concerts and events, as well as the Phoenix Suns' NBA games. What is great about the Footprint Center is that it has a central location and an opening, a modern yet rustic and intimate atmosphere that will generate excitement for Phoenix Mercury fans to experience through entertainment in a first-class sporting venue.
Phoenix Mercury Championship
The Phoenix Mercury are three-time WNBA champions 2007, 2009, and 2014, and are one of the most successful franchises in the history of the league. The Mercury's first championship came in 2007 under the leadership of Coach Paul Westhead, who brought a new style of fast-paced play, which changed how teams had been playing successfully in the WNBA. The Mercury, led by two-time league MVP Diana Taurasi, teamed with Cappie Pondexter and Penny Taylor, defeated the Detroit Shock in five games for the championship. The scoring of Taurasi and Pondexter, along with the overall performance of Taylor, were instrumental in obtaining the championship.
The second championship of the Mercury occurred in 2009 when they defeated the Indiana Fever in five games. Taurasi was recognized with numerous honors, including the league MVP and Finals MVP, and immortalized as one of the greatest players in WNBA history. The offense of the Mercury was first in the league again while using their speed, shooting, and experience on the basketball floor to defeat other teams.
The third championship of the Mercury was under head coach Sandy Brondello in 2014. By then, Taurasi not only had her league MVP and Finals MVP with the league title, but was joined permanently by Brittney Griner and Candice Dupree to form one of the league's best trios during their historic year capped off with a Finals sweep.
Phoenix Mercury Records
In all of these years in the league, the Phoenix Mercury has made it to the postseason with the help of legend Diana Taurasi and other contributing players in the league like Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner. On analysis, it turns out that the Minnesota Lynx are the ones whom the team has faced the most in the postseason. Here is the record of the Mercury franchise in the league as per the Basketball Reference data:
Year | Team | W | L | W/L% | Finish | Rivals | Coaches | Playoffs Result | Top WS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Phoenix Mercury | 19 | 21 | .475 | 4 | Minnesota Lynx | Nate Tibbetts (19-21) | Lost 1st Round | B. Griner (4.0) |
2022 | Phoenix Mercury | 15 | 21 | .417 | 4 | Las Vegas Aces | Vanessa Nygaard (15-21) | Lost 1st Round | S. Diggins-Smith (3.1) |
2021 | Phoenix Mercury | 19 | 13 | .594 | 4 | Chicago Sky | Sandy Brondello (19-13) | Lost Finals | B. Griner (6.3) |
2020 | Phoenix Mercury | 13 | 9 | .591 | 5 | Minnesota Lynx | Sandy Brondello (13-9) | Lost 2nd Round | D. Taurasi (3.0) |
2019 | Phoenix Mercury | 15 | 19 | .441 | 5 | Chicago Sky | Sandy Brondello (15-19) | Lost 1st Round | B. Griner (5.0) |
2018 | Phoenix Mercury | 20 | 14 | .588 | 2 | Seattle Storm | Sandy Brondello (20-14) | Lost Semis | D. Taurasi (5.6) |
2017 | Phoenix Mercury | 18 | 16 | .529 | 3 | Los Angeles Sparks | Sandy Brondello (18-16) | Lost Semis | B. Griner (5.4) |
2016 | Phoenix Mercury | 16 | 18 | .471 | 3 | Minnesota Lynx | Sandy Brondello (16-18) | Lost Semis | B. Griner (4.3) |
2015 | Phoenix Mercury | 20 | 14 | .588 | 2 | Minnesota Lynx | Sandy Brondello (20-14) | Lost W. Conf. Finals | D. Bonner (5.0) |
2014 | Phoenix Mercury | 29 | 5 | .853 | 1 | Chicago Sky | Sandy Brondello (29-5) | Won Finals | B. Griner (6.8) |
2013 | Phoenix Mercury | 19 | 15 | .559 | 3 | Minnesota Lynx | Corey Gaines (10-11), Russ Pennell (9-4) | Lost W. Conf. Finals | D. Taurasi (5.6) |
2011 | Phoenix Mercury | 19 | 15 | .559 | 3 | Minnesota Lynx | Corey Gaines (19-15) | Lost W. Conf. Finals | P. Taylor (5.4) |
2010 | Phoenix Mercury | 15 | 19 | .441 | 2 | Seattle Storm | Corey Gaines (15-19) | Lost W. Conf. Finals | C. Dupree (4.8) |
2009 | Phoenix Mercury | 23 | 11 | .676 | 1 | Indiana Fever | Corey Gaines (23-11) | Won Finals | D. Taurasi (5.4) |
2007 | Phoenix Mercury | 23 | 11 | .676 | 1 | Detroit Shock | Paul Westhead (23-11) | Won Finals | P. Taylor (6.4) |
2000 | Phoenix Mercury | 20 | 12 | .625 | 4 | Los Angeles Sparks | Cheryl Miller (20-12) | Lost W. Conf. Semis | B. Reed (7.3) |
1998 | Phoenix Mercury | 19 | 11 | .633 | 2 | Houston Comets | Cheryl Miller (19-11) | Lost Finals | J. Gillom (6.0) |
1997 | Phoenix Mercury | 16 | 12 | .571 | 1 | New York Liberty | Cheryl Miller (16-12) | Lost Semis | J. Gillom (4.5) |
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