The Phoenix Mercury entered the 2025 WNBA season with uncertainty. Brittney Griner left in free agency and Diana Taurasi retired during the offseason. Sure, Phoenix had traded for Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, but it remained to be seen how the stars would play alongside one another. Through the Mercury's first 17 games of the 2025 WNBA season, however, Phoenix has started stronger than most expected.
The Mercury currently hold a 12-5 record, a mark that is good for second place in the Western Conference standings. They trail the 14-2 Minnesota Lynx by 2.5 games in the conference. The Mercury have also kept pace with the top team in the Eastern Conference, the 11-5 New York Liberty.
So how is this Mercury team performing so well despite losing two future Hall of Famers to free agency/retirement during the offseason?
How the Mercury are taking care of business
The Mercury are implementing a complete team effort. The Sabally-Thomas duo has played well, but the stars have received help from their teammates.
Beginning with Sabally, though, the forward is leading Phoenix with 19.1 points per game. She is also recording per game averages of 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per outing. Thomas, meanwhile, is averaging 14.8 points, 9.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
The offense and defense just seem to work with Sabally and Thomas on the roster. Phoenix features quality size and an ability to protect the paint and crash the glass. Thomas' quality play-making has added another element of the equation for opposing defenses to consider.
Kahleah Copper has been limited to five games played, but she is averaging 13.4 points per outing during that span. Sami Whitcomb, Kitija Laksa, Lexi Hield and Kathryn Westbeld have all made impacts as well.
From an overall team standpoint, Phoenix ranks fifth in points per game (83.6), third in three-point shooting percentage (34.8) and fifth in assists per game (20.7). From a defensive perspective, the Mercury are fourth in defensive rating (98.5), fifth in limiting opposing points off turnovers (14.8), first in limiting opposing second chance points (8.4) and second in limiting opposing points in the paint (31.3).
Phoenix features a balanced overall roster that gets the job done on both ends of the floor. The Mercury may not be the favorite to win the 2025 WNBA championship, but they are a serious contender that should not be overlooked.