2021 Phoenix Mercury season

Last updated

2021 Phoenix Mercury season
Coach Sandy Brondello
Arena Phoenix Suns Arena
Attendance5,849 per game
Results
Record19–13 (.594)
Place4th (Western)
Playoff finish5th seed, Lost in WNBA Finals to Chicago Sky 1–3
Team Leaders
Points Brittney Griner – 20.5 ppg
Rebounds Brittney Griner – 9.5 rpg
Assists Skylar Diggins-Smith – 5.3 apg

The 2021 WNBA season was the 24th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season tipped off on May 14, 2021, at the Minnesota Lynx. [1]

Contents

The team returned to the newly renovated Phoenix Suns Arena this season. Originally the team had planned to be elsewhere for the 2021 season, but renovations were finished ahead of schedule. [2]

The start to the season was a mixed bag for the Mercury. They went 3–3 during the first month of the season. June was a streaky month for the team as they won the first two games, but then went on a four game losing streak. The streak was broken by two wins, but followed by a loss to finish the month 4–5. The Mercury lost the first game of July, won the middle two, and lost the last game before the Olympic break. They went into the Olympic break with a 9–10 overall record. The Mercury had a spectacular return from the Olympic break, winning all seven of their games in August. Of the seven games only three were against playoff teams, and two of those three were against the eventual eight seed, New York Liberty. The Mercury extended their winning streak into September, and won their first three games of the month. However, their last three games of the season were against the eventual first, second, and fourth seeded playoff teams, and the Mercury lost all three games to finish the month 3–3. They finished with an overall record of 19–13 and secured the fifth overall seed in the playoffs.

As the fifth seed in the playoffs, the Mercury did not receive a bye played in the First Round. They defeated eight seed New York 83–82 in a close game. As the higher remaining seed in the second round, they traveled to Seattle to face off against the fourth seeded Storm. The Mercury advanced in a thrilling overtime game, 85–80. As the highest seed to advance from the second round, the Mercury played the second seeded Las Vegas Aces in the Semifinals. In a back and forth series the Mercury won games two, three, and five to win the series 3–2 and advance to the Finals. In the Finals, the team faced the Chicago Sky. The Mercury had home court advantage, meaning the first two games were played in Phoenix. The Mercury split those games 1–1 and the series advanced to Chicago. The Sky won both the games at home, and the series 3–1.

Transactions

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
332Ciera JohnsonFlag of the United States.svg  United States Texas A&M

Trades/Roster Changes

DateDetails
January 6, 2021Extended Qualifying Offers to G Marta Xargay, G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, G Sonja Petrovic, G Shey Peddy, F Nia Coffey, and C Angel Robinson [3]
January 12, 2021Re-Signed G Shey Peddy to a Training Camp Contract [4]
January 23, 2021Re-Signed F Nia Coffey to a Training Camp Contract [5]
February 1, 2021Re-Signed G Diana Taurasi [6]
February 5, 2021Signed C Kia Vaughn [7]
Rescinded Qualifying Offer to G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough [8]
February 10, 2021Traded the 6th Overall Pick in the 2021 WNBA draft and a 1st Round Pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft to New York in exchange for G Kia Nurse and F Megan Walker [9]
Waived F Nia Coffey [10]
February 13, 2021Traded G Yvonne Turner to Atlanta for a 3rd Round Pick in 2022 [11]
March 22, 2021Signed F Sara Blicavs and G Marta Xargay [12]
April 16, 2021Signed G Tiana Mangakahia, C Avery Warley-Talbert, and C Akela Maize to Training Camp Contracts [13]
April 16, 2021Signed F Cierra Burdick to a Training Camp Contract [14]
April 25, 2021Signed C Ciera Johnson to a Rookie Scale Contract [15]
May 8, 2021Waived G Marta Xargay, C Akela Maize, and C Avery Warley-Talbert [16]
May 10, 2021Waived F Cierra Burdick [17]
May 12, 2021Waived G Tiana Mangakahia, F Sara Blicavs, and C Ciera Johnson [18]
May 13, 2021Temporarily Suspend C Kia Vaughn due to Overseas Commitments [19]
May 14, 2021Sign F Cierra Burdick to a Hardship Contract [20]
May 26, 2021Activate C Kia Vaughn from Temporary Suspension List [21]
Release F Cierra Burdick from Hardship Contract
May 27, 2021Signed G Haley Gorecki to a Hardship Contract [22]
May 27, 2021Released G Haley Gorecki from the Hardship Contract [23]

Roster

2021 Phoenix Mercury roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 9 Flag of the United States.svg Cunningham, Sophie 6' 1" (1.85m)170 lb (77kg)1996-08-16 Missouri 2
G 4 Flag of the United States.svg Diggins-Smith, Skylar 5' 9" (1.75m)145 lb (66kg)1996-08-16 Notre Dame 7
C 42 Flag of the United States.svg Griner, Brittney 6' 9" (2.06m)205 lb (93kg)1990-10-18 Baylor 8
G 14 Flag of France.svg Hartley, Bria 5' 8" (1.73m)148 lb (67kg)1992-09-30 Connecticut 7
G 0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Nurse, Kia   Cruz Roja.svg 6' 0" (1.83m)168 lb (76kg)1996-02-22 Connecticut 3
G 5 Flag of the United States.svg Peddy, Shey 5' 7" (1.7m)147 lb (67kg)1988-10-28 Temple 2
F 11 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Smith, Alanna 6' 4" (1.93m)180 lb (82kg)1996-09-10 Stanford 2
G/F 3 Flag of the United States.svg Taurasi, Diana 6' 0" (1.83m)163 lb (74kg)1982-06-11 Connecticut 16
F 21 Flag of the United States.svg Turner, Brianna 6' 3" (1.91m)170 lb (77kg)1996-07-05 Notre Dame 2
C 1 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Vaughn, Kia 6' 4" (1.93m)205 lb (93kg)1987-01-24 Rutgers 11
F 2 Flag of the United States.svg Walker, Megan 6' 1" (1.85m)175 lb (79kg)1998-11-23 Connecticut 1
Head coach
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Sandy Brondello (Western Sydney)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Julie Hairgrove (Arizona)
Flag of the United States.svg Chasity Melvin (NC State)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Hannah Breck (Boston University)
Strength and conditioning coach
Flag of the United States.svg Derrick Nillissen (Iowa Wesleyan)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Game log

Preseason

2021 pre-season game log
May: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1May 8 Seattle L 71–88 Kia Nurse (12) Alanna Smith (8) Nurse
Taurasi (3)		 Phoenix Suns Arena
1,985		0–1
2May 10@ Seattle L 93–103 Kia Nurse (26) Brittney Griner (6) Cierra Burdick (6) Angel of the Winds Arena 0–2
2021 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2020 game log
Total: 19–13 (Home: 7–9; Road: 12–4)
May: 3–3 (Home: 0–2; Road: 3–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1May 14@ Minnesota W 77–75 Skylar Diggins-Smith (18) Brittney Griner (12) Taurasi
Diggins-Smith (5)		 Target Center
2,021		1–0
2May 16@ Connecticut L 78–86 Diana Taurasi (19) Brianna Turner (8) Diana Taurasi (5) Mohegan Sun Arena
2,042		1–1
3May 18@ Washington W 91–70 Diana Taurasi (17) Brianna Turner (14) Shey Peddy (6) Entertainment and Sports Arena
1,050		2–1
4May 21 Connecticut L 67–84 Skylar Diggins-Smith (20) Griner
Turner (5)		 Diana Taurasi (4) Phoenix Suns Arena
4,101		2–2
5May 26 Las Vegas L 79–85 Brittney Griner (27) Brittney Griner (11) Skylar Diggins-Smith (11) Phoenix Suns Arena
4,082		2–3
6May 29@ Dallas W 89–85 Brittney Griner (27) Brittney Griner (16) Skylar Diggins-Smith (7) College Park Center
1,717		3–3
June : 4–5 (Home: 2–4; Road: 2–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
7June 1@ Chicago W 84–83 Skylar Diggins-Smith (24) Nurse
Turner (8)		 Shey Peddy (6) Wintrust Arena
1,217		4–3
8June 3 Chicago W 77–74 Skylar Diggins-Smith (28) Brittney Griner (12) Brianna Turner (6) Phoenix Suns Arena
3,819		5–3
9June 9 Dallas L 81–85 Brittney Griner (27) Brittney Griner (16) Skylar Diggins-Smith (5) Phoenix Suns Arena
3,618		5–4
10June 11 Dallas L 59–77 Brittney Griner (19) Brittney Griner (6) Skylar Diggins-Smith (5) Phoenix Suns Arena
4,261		5–5
11June 13 New York L 83–85 Brittney Griner (29) Brittney Griner (14) Skylar Diggins-Smith (5) Phoenix Suns Arena
4,476		5–6
12June 16@ Los Angeles L 80–85 Brittney Griner (30) Brianna Turner (12) Skylar Diggins-Smith (10) Los Angeles Convention Center
514		5–7
13June 18@ Los Angeles W 80–66 Skylar Diggins-Smith (21) Griner
Turner (8)		 Diggins-Smith
Nurse (4)		 Los Angeles Convention Center
520		6–7
14June 27 Los Angeles W 88–79 Diana Taurasi (25) Brianna Turner (15) Skylar Diggins-Smith (4) Phoenix Suns Arena
7,304		7–7
15June 30 Minnesota L 76–82 Brittney Griner (28) Brittney Griner (7) Diana Taurasi (7) Phoenix Suns Arena
4,122		7–8
July : 2–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
16July 3 Minnesota L 68–99 Skylar Diggins-Smith (12) Brianna Turner (6) Kia Vaughn (4) Phoenix Suns Arena
8,182		7–9
17July 7@ Las Vegas W 99–90 (OT) Brittney Griner (33) Brittney Griner (12) Skylar Diggins-Smith (8) Michelob Ultra Arena
3,013		8–9
18July 9 Seattle W 85–77 Brittney Griner (29) Brittney Griner (15) Skylar Diggins-Smith (6) Phoenix Suns Arena
7,554		9–9
19July 11@ Seattle L 75–82 Kia Nurse (28) Brittney Griner (9) Shey Peddy (7) Angel of the Winds Arena
5,110		9–10
August : 7–0 (Home: 4–0; Road: 3–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
20August 15 Atlanta W 92–81 Skylar Diggins-Smith (19) Brianna Turner (17) Skylar Diggins-Smith (7) Footprint Center
7,491		10–10
21August 17 Indiana W 84–80 Brittney Griner (25) Brianna Turner (11) Diana Taurasi (7) Footprint Center
4,089		11–10
22August 19 Washington W 77–64 Brittney Griner (30) Brianna Turner (14) Brittney Griner (5) Footprint Center
5,113		12–10
23August 21@ Atlanta W 84–69 Skylar Diggins-Smith (25) Brittney Griner (12) Skylar Diggins-Smith (7) Gateway Center Arena
2,073		13–10
24August 25@ New York W 106–79 Skylar Diggins-Smith (27) Brianna Turner (15) Diana Taurasi (7) Barclays Center
1,872		14–10
25August 27@ New York W 80–64 Skylar Diggins-Smith (27) Kia Vaughn (11) Skylar Diggins-Smith (7) Barclays Center
2,315		15–10
26August 31 Chicago W 103–83 Kia Nurse (21) Skylar Diggins-Smith (8) Skylar Diggins-Smith (10) Footprint Center
5,838		16–10
September : 3–3 (Home: 0–1; Road: 3–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
27September 4@ Indiana W 87–65 Brittney Griner (22) Brianna Turner (11) Diana Taurasi (7) Indiana Farmers Coliseum
N/A		17–10
28September 6@ Indiana W 86–81 Brittney Griner (21) Brittney Griner (10) Diana Taurasi (6) Indiana Farmers Coliseum
N/A		18–10
29September 8@ Atlanta W 76–75 Shey Peddy (18) Brianna Turner (15) Skylar Diggins-Smith (5) Gateway Center Arena
1,215		19–10
30September 11 Connecticut L 67–76 Brittney Griner (25) Brittney Griner (12) Skylar Diggins-Smith (5) Footprint Center
9,811		19–11
31September 17@ Seattle L 85–94 Brittney Griner (26) Brittney Griner (13) Brittney Griner (5) Angel of the Winds Arena
6,000		19–12
32September 19 Las Vegas L 83–84 Skylar Diggins-Smith (17) Brianna Turner (8) Skylar Diggins-Smith (7) Phoenix Suns Arena
9,724		19–13
2021 season schedule

Playoffs

2021 playoff game log
Total: 6–5
First round
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1September 23 New York W 83–82 Skylar Diggins-Smith (22) Brittney Griner (10) Brittney Griner (6) Grand Canyon University Arena
5,827		1–0
Second round
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1September 26@ Seattle W 85–80 (OT) Brittney Griner (23) Brittney Griner (16) Skylar Diggins-Smith (6) Angel of the Winds Arena
5,375		1–0
Semifinals
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1September 28@ Las Vegas L 90–96 Brittney Griner (24) Brianna Turner (8) Griner
Taurasi (6)		 Michelob Ultra Arena
7,009		0–1
2September 30@ Las Vegas W 117–91 Diana Taurasi (37) Brianna Turner (8) Diggins-Smith
Griner
Vaughn (5)		 Michelob Ultra Arena
6,432		1–1
3October 3 Las Vegas W 87–60 Brianna Turner (23) Brianna Turner (17) Skylar Diggins-Smith (9) Desert Financial Arena
7,090		2–1
4October 6 Las Vegas L 76–93 Diggins-Smith
Taurasi (14)		 Brittney Griner (8) Taurasi
Turner (4)		 Footprint Center
11,255		2–2
5October 8@ Las Vegas 87–84 Brittney Griner (28) Brianna Turner (11) Skylar Diggins-Smith (8) Michelob Ultra Arena
9,680		3–2
Finals
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Series
1October 10 Chicago L 77–91 Brittney Griner (20) Brianna Turner (9) Skylar Diggins-Smith (4) Footprint Center
10,191		0–1
2October 13 Chicago W 91–86 (OT) Brittney Griner (29) Griner
Turner (9)		 Skylar Diggins-Smith (12) Footprint Center
13,685		1–1
3October 15@ Chicago L 50–86 Brittney Griner (16) Brianna Turner (7) Skylar Diggins-Smith (3) Wintrust Arena
10,378		1–2
4October 17@ Chicago L 74–80 Brittney Griner (28) Brianna Turner (12) Skylar Diggins-Smith (8) Wintrust Arena
10,378		1–3
2021 playoff schedule

Standings

#Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1x – Connecticut Sun 266.813–12–315–111–59–1
2x – Las Vegas Aces 248.750211–413–311–56–4
3x – Minnesota Lynx 2210.688410–513–39–77–3
4x – Seattle Storm 2111.65659–611–510–68–2
5x – Phoenix Mercury 1913.59476–97–912–45–5
6x – Chicago Sky 1616.5001010–56–1010–66–4
7x – Dallas Wings 1418.438127–87–97–93–7
8x – New York Liberty 1220.375146–97–95–115–5
9e – Washington Mystics 1220.375147–88–84–124–6
10e – Los Angeles Sparks 1220.375142–138–84–121–9
11e – Atlanta Dream 824.250186–94–124–124–6
12e – Indiana Fever 626.188204–114–122–142–8

Notes

(#) – League Standing
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

Playoffs

First round
Sept. 23		Second round
Sept. 26		Semifinals
Sept. 28 – Oct. 8		 WNBA Finals
Oct. 10 – Oct. 17
2 Las Vegas Aces 9691609384
4 Seattle Storm 805 Phoenix Mercury 90117877687
5 Phoenix Mercury 835 Phoenix Mercury 85OT5 Phoenix Mercury 7791OT5074–
8 New York Liberty 826 Chicago Sky 91868680–
1 Connecticut Sun 95798369–
3 Minnesota Lynx 766 Chicago Sky 1012OT688679–
6 Chicago Sky 816 Chicago Sky 89
7 Dallas Wings 64

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Source: [24]

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Brittney Griner 303032.857.544.484.69.52.70.41.920.5
Skylar Diggins-Smith 323232.545.237.081.83.25.31.10.817.5
Diana Taurasi 161628.436.533.986.14.44.90.20.615.2
Kia Nurse 323226.135.935.379.03.51.80.50.19.5
Brianna Turner 323231.155.40.071.79.41.80.81.37.8
Sophie Cunningham 30417.543.741.070.42.01.10.50.25.6
Shey Peddy 32517.541.233.392.02.32.50.90.15.4
Kia Vaughn 28215.844.40.060.02.71.30.20.24.6
Megan Walker 29714.731.162.763.31.30.90.20.34.5
Bria Hartley 608.556.357.10.00.70.80.20.03.7
Alanna Smith 1806.523.519.025.01.30.60.40.31.2

Awards and Milestones

RecipientAward/MilestoneDate awardedRef.
Brittney Griner Western Conference Player of the Week June 1 [25]
Diana Taurasi First WNBA player to reach 9,000 career points June 27 vs. Los Angeles Sparks [26]
Skylar Diggins-Smith WNBA All-Star Selection June 30 [27]
Brittney Griner
Diana Taurasi
Brittney Griner Western Conference Player of the Week July 12 [28]
August 23 [29]
Skylar Diggins-SmithAugust 30 [30]
Brittney GrinerSeptember 6 [31]
September 13 [32]
Brianna Turner WNBA All-Defensive First Team September 26 [33]
Brittney Griner WNBA All-Defensive Second Team
Skylar Diggins-Smith All-WNBA First Team October 15 [34]
Brittney Griner

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References

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  2. ↑ "Mercury To Return To Newly-Renovated Phoenix Suns Arena". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. February 9, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  3. ↑ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. January 6, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
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  7. ↑ "PHOENIX MERCURY RE-SIGN FREE AGENT CENTER KIA VAUGHN". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. February 5, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
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  10. ↑ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. February 10, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
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  12. ↑ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. March 22, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
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  15. ↑ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. April 25, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Mercury Waive Xargay, Maize and Warley-Talbert". oursportscentral.com. Our Sports Central. May 8, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Mercury Waive Cierra Burdick". oursportscentral.com. Our Sports Central. May 10, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Tiana Mangakahia waived by WNBA's Phoenix Mercury". syracuse.com. Syracuse. May 12, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  19. ↑ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Phoenix Mercury Announce Final Roster Ahead of 2021 Season". signalsaz.com. Signals. May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  21. ↑ "WNBA Transactions". wnba.com. WNBA. May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Rachel Galligan Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Transactions – Player Movement". acrossthetimeline.com. Across The Timeline. June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Stats - Phoenix Mercury". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Betnijah Laney And Brittney Griner Named Week 2 Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  26. ↑ "Taurasi Tops 9,000 Career Points, Helps Mercury Beat Sparks". wnba.com. WNBA. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Rosters Set for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 on July 14". wnba.com. WNBA. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  28. ↑ "WNBA Players of the Week: Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  29. ↑ "WNBA Players of the Week: Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  30. ↑ "WNBA Players of the Week: Skylar Diggins-Smith and Brionna Jones". wnba.com. WNBA. August 30, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Week 11 Players of the Week: Jonquel Jones (Eastern) and Brittney Griner (Western)". wnba.com. WNBA. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  32. ↑ "WNBA Player of the Week: Tina Charles & Brittney Griner". wnba.com. WNBA. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  33. ↑ Voepel, Mechelle (September 26, 2021). "Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles named WNBA Defensive Player of Year for 4th time in career". ESPN. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  34. ↑ "The 2021 All-WNBA First & Second Team Announced". wnba.com. WNBA. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
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