Navigating through a challenging season can be tough for any sports team, and the Phoenix Mercury faced significant hurdles in 2023. This marked a somber milestone as it was their first absence from the playoffs since 2012. That year, the team concluded the season with a disappointing record of 7 wins and 27 losses, which ultimately led to them securing the first overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.
Fast forward to 2023, the Mercury finished with a record of 9 wins and 31 losses, prompting the franchise to take decisive action. They brought in additional talent during the offseason and welcomed Nate Tibbetts as their new head coach. But here's where it gets controversial: despite these changes, can the Mercury truly rebound and reclaim their former glory?
While the season proved to be a struggle overall, there were notable highlights worth celebrating. A major positive was the return of Brittney Griner, who had missed the entire 2022 season due to a situation overseas. Her comeback was marked by significant contributions, as she scored a total of 544 points throughout the season, averaging 17.5 points per game. One of her standout performances came against the Indiana Fever, where she notched an impressive 29 points. Griner's return undoubtedly shone a light on what could have been a bleak season for the Mercury.
In addition to Griner’s success, veteran star Diana Taurasi also made waves on the court. She accumulated 415 points, with her most remarkable outing being a jaw-dropping 42-point game against the Atlanta Dream. This performance was particularly historic, as it marked her achievement of reaching the coveted milestone of 10,000 career points. Taurasi's continued excellence at this stage of her career helped secure some crucial victories for her team.
Right behind her was Moriah Jefferson, who contributed 409 points, highlighted by a personal best of 32 points in a game against the Minnesota Lynx. Michaela Onyenwere also had a solid season, finishing fourth in scoring with 355 points and achieving a high of 24 points against the Lynx. Sophie Cunningham rounded out the top scorers for the Mercury with 350 points, including a noteworthy 27-point game against the New York Liberty.
Over the course of the season, the Mercury managed to score a total of 3,064 points. While this figure might seem respectable at first glance, it placed them at the bottom of the league standings in terms of scoring. In contrast, the Las Vegas Aces dominated this category, racking up an impressive 3,713 points, followed closely by the New York Liberty with 3,569 points. The Seattle Storm, just ahead of the Mercury, scored 3,153 points and ended their season with a record of 11 wins and 29 losses.
Despite the struggles faced throughout the year, the performances of players like Griner and Taurasi offered a glimmer of hope and excitement for fans of the Mercury. As we look forward to what lies ahead, can the Mercury build upon these bright spots and turn things around in future seasons? We invite you to share your thoughts! What do you think about the Mercury's chances for recovery? Join the conversation in the comments below!
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