2023 Phoenix Mercury season

Last updated

2023 Phoenix Mercury season
Coach Vanessa Nygaard (until June 25th)
Nikki Blue (after June 25th)
Arena Footprint Center
Attendance9,197 per game
Results
Record9–31 (.225)
Place6th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Team Leaders
Points Brittney Griner – 17.5 ppg
Rebounds Brittney Griner/Brianna Turner – 6.3 rpg
Assists Sug Sutton – 4.8 apg

The 2023 Phoenix Mercury season was the 26th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the second season under head coach Vanessa Nygaard.

Contents

In October 2022, Skylar Diggins-Smith announced on Instagram that she was pregnant with her second child. [1]

On December 8, 2022, Brittney Griner was successfully returned to the United States of America after the Brittney Griner–Viktor Bout prisoner exchange went through without issues. By extension, Griner returned to action with the Mercury and the WNBA after missing the entire 2022 WNBA season due to her being arrested and imprisoned in Russia (a place she had previously played in for years during the WNBA's offseasons by playing with the UMMC Ekaterinburg without prior issue) for medical cannabis, which is considered an illegal substance there. The Mercury later re-signed Griner to a new deal on February 17, 2023.

On December 20, 2022, Mercury team owner Robert Sarver agreed to a deal made by a new ownership group led by United Wholesale Mortgage's CEO Mat Ishbia and his older brother Justin Ishbia where Sarver would sell his majority shares of both the Mercury and Phoenix Suns to them under a joint deal worth a record-high $4 billion. [2] This transition into new ownership was made during the month of September 2022 after an independent investigation led by the National Basketball Association revealed some ugly, disgusting behaviors he had throughout his ownership periods with both the Suns and Mercury, though primarily with the Suns. [3] [4] The NBA approved of the sale to the Ishbia brothers on February 6, 2023, [5] with Sarver's transition out of ownership of both franchises being made official on February 7, 2023. [6] [7] [8] Despite his removal from ownership, Sarver still had to serve his suspension for the 2023 WNBA season until September 13, 2023; he had since disputed that suspension claim during that season because of his lack of team ownership.

The Mercury began the season with two losses, but won their third game to finish 1–2 in May. The team continued with its sluggish start losing their first three games in June. After a single win, the team went on a six game losing streak and finishing the month with a 2–9 record Their only two wins in the month came against Indiana. In July the team fared slightly better, losing three straight games before winning three of four. However, the team lost its final three games of the month to finish 3–7. The Mercury showed improvement in August winning three of their first five games. However, that improvement didn't last, as they lost seven straight games to end the month. During their seven game losing streak, a 77–74 loss to the Dallas Wings eliminated the Mercury from playoff contention for the first time since 2012, and ended the longest active playoff streak in the WNBA at 10 straight years. Their losing streak continued as the Mercury lost all four games in September to finish 9–31 and ended the season on an eleven game losing streak. This was only the third season in Mercury history where they finished with single-digit wins, and their .225 winning percentage was the second lowest in franchise history. Their 31 losses were the most in a season in franchise history, though it was the first season the WNBA used a forty game schedule. During this season, it was announced that long-time general manager Jim Pitman (who held his position with the Mercury since October 2013 following Jason Rowley's brief stint there) would resign from his position following the end of this season, being replaced by former Golden State Warriors special assistant and executive Nick U'Ren entering the next season.

Transactions

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
327Destiny HardenFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States Miami
329 Kadi Sissoko Flag of France.svg  France USC

Transactions

DateTransaction
January 6, 2023Hired Monica Wright-Rogers as Assistant General Manager [9]
January 12, 2023Extended Qualifying Offers to Sophie Cunningham, Megan Gustafson, Shey Peddy, and Sam Thomas [10]
February 2, 2023Signed Sam Thomas to a Qualifying Offer - Training Camp Contract
February 3, 2023Signed Sophie Cunningham to a 2-Year Deal [11]
Signed Megan Gustafson to a Training Camp Contract [12]
February 6, 2023Signed Sydney Wiese and Jennie Simms to Training Camp Contracts [13] [14]
February 11, 2023Acquired Michaela Onyenwere, a 2024 Third-Round Pick (from Chicago), and a 2025 Second-Round Pick (from Chicago) in a 4-Team Trade involving the Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings, and the New York Liberty [15]
February 13, 2023Signed Moriah Jefferson [16]
February 17, 2023Signed Diana Taurasi to a 2-Year Deal [17]
Signed Brittney Griner [18]
Signed Shey Peddy to a Training Camp Contract [19]
February 28, 2023Signed Sug Sutton to a Training Camp Contract
March 2, 2023Signed Destiny Slocum to a Training Camp Contract [20]
March 3, 2023Hired Tully Bevilaqua as Assistant Coach [21]
March 27, 2023Signed Kylee Shook to a Training Camp Contract
April 11, 2023Signed Essence Booker to a Training Camp Contract [22]
April 12, 2023Signed Destiny Harden, Kadi Sissoko, and Liz Dixon to Training Camp Contracts
April 21, 2023Hired Taja Edwards as Assistant Coach [23]
April 27, 2023Waived Sydney Wiese
May 5, 2023Waived Destiny Harden
May 8, 2023Waived Kylee Shook
May 10, 2023Waived Essence Booker
May 13, 2023Waived Liz Dixon and Destiny Slocum
May 15, 2023Exercised 4th-Year Team Option on Michaela Onyenwere
May 16, 2023Waived Jennie Simms and Sam Thomas
May 18, 2023Placed Skylar Diggins-Smith on the Inactive List due to Pregnancy/Child-Birth
May 19, 2023Signed Liz Dixon to a Hardship Contract [24]
May 21, 2023Released Liz Dixon from her Hardship Contract
June 21, 2023Signed Sam Thomas to a Hardship Contract [25]
June 22, 2023Waived Evina Westbrook [26]
Signed Jennie Simms to a Hardship Contract [26]
June 24, 2023Released Sam Thomas from the Hardship Contract
June 25, 2023Fired Head Coach Vanessa Nygaard and named Nikki Blue as Interim Head Coach [27]
June 27, 2023Signed Alaina Coates to a Hardship Contract [28]
June 29, 2023Released Alaina Coates from the Hardship Contract
June 30, 2023Hired Charli Turner Thorne as an Assistant Coach [29]
July 10, 2023Hired Nick U'Ren as General Manager [30]
July 20, 2023Waived Jennie Simms [31]
Signed Liz Dixon to a 7-Day Contract [31]
July 29, 2023Signed Liz Dixon to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
August 7, 2023Signed Destanni Henderson to a 7-Day Contract
August 14, 2023Signed Destanni Henderson to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
August 17, 2023Signed Liz Dixon to a 3rd 7-Day Contract
August 18, 2023Signed Ashley Joens to a 7-Day Contract
August 20, 2023Released Ashley Joens
August 21, 2023Signed Ashley Joens to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
August 22, 2023Signed Madi Williams to a 7-Day Contract [32]
August 29, 2023Signed Ashley Joens tot a 3rd 7-Day Contract
Signed Madi Williams to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
September 5, 2023Signed Ashley Joens to a Hardship Contract
September 7, 2023Signed Christyn Williams to a Hardship Contract [33]

Roster Changes

Roster

2023 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 4
G 4 Flag of the United States.svg Diggins-Smith, Skylar  (Maternity Leave)5' 9" (1.75m)145 lb (66kg)1990-08-02 Notre Dame 9
C 42 Flag of the United States.svg Griner, Brittney   Cruz Roja.svg 6' 9" (2.06m)205 lb (93kg)1990-10-18 Baylor 9
C 10 Flag of the United States.svg Gustafson, Megan 6' 3" (1.91m)195 lb (88kg)12-13-1996 Iowa 4
G 8 Flag of the United States.svg Jefferson, Moriah 5' 6" (1.68m)123 lb (56kg)1994-03-08 Connecticut 6
G 23 Flag of the United States.svg Joens, Ashley 6' 0" (1.83m)160 lb (73kg)03-16-2000 Iowa State R
F 12 Flag of the United States.svg Onyenwere, Michaela 6' 0" (1.83m)178 lb (81kg)1999-08-10 UCLA 2
G 11 Flag of the United States.svg Peddy, Shey   Cruz Roja.svg 5' 7" (1.7m)145 lb (66kg)10-28-1988 Temple 4
F 30 Flag of France.svg Sissoko, Kadi 6' 2" (1.88m)165 lb (75kg)01-25-1999 USC R
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Sutton, Sug 5' 8" (1.73m)140 lb (64kg)12-17-1998 Texas 1
G/F 3 Flag of the United States.svg Taurasi, Diana   Cruz Roja.svg 6' 0" (1.83m)163 lb (74kg)1982-06-11 Connecticut 18
F 21 Flag of the United States.svg Turner, Brianna 6' 3" (1.91m)170 lb (77kg)1996-07-05 Notre Dame 4
G/F 25 Flag of the United States.svg Williams, Madi 5' 11" (1.8m)164 lb (74kg)1999-10-29 Oklahoma R
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Nikki Blue (UCLA)
Assistant coaches
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Tully Bevilaqua
Flag of the United States.svg Taja Edwards (Fresno State)
Flag of the United States.svg Charli Turner Thorne (Stanford)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Hanna Breck (Boston University)
Strength and conditioning coach
Flag of the United States.svg Derrick Nillisesen (Iowa Wesleyan)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Depth

Pos.StarterBench
PG Moriah Jefferson Shey Peddy Cruz Roja.svg
Skylar Diggins-Smith (inactive)
SG Diana Taurasi Sug Sutton
SF Sophie Cunningham Ashley Joens
Madi Williams
PF Brianna Turner Michaela Onyenwere
Kadi Sissoko
C Brittney Griner Megan Gustafson

Schedule

Preseason

2023 pre-season game log
Total: 1–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 1–0)
May: 1–1 (Home: 0–1; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1May 8@ Seattle W 77–71 Sug Sutton (11) Megan Gustafson (7) Kadi Sissoko (4) Climate Pledge Arena
5,119		1–0
2May 12 Los Angeles L 71–91 Taurasi
Cunningham (13)		 Megan Gustafson (6) Diana Taurasi (5) Footprint Center
N/A		1–1
2023 pre-season schedule

Regular Season

2023 game log
Total: 9–31 (Home: 8–12; Road: 1–19)
May: 1–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
1May 19@ Los Angeles L 71–94 Brittney Griner (18) Taurasi
Turner (7)		 Diana Taurasi (5) Crypto.com Arena
10,396		0–1
2May 21 Chicago L 69–75 Brittney Griner (27) Griner
Turner (10)		 Diana Taurasi (6) Footprint Center
14,040		0–2
3May 25 Minnesota W 90–81 Diana Taurasi (23) Brianna Turner (11) Diana Taurasi (10) Footprint Center
6,057		1-2
June : 2–9 (Home: 1–4; Road: 1–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
4June 2 Los Angeles L 93–99 (OT) Brittney Griner (24) Brittney Griner (11) Sug Sutton (6) Footprint Center
8,815		1–3
5June 7@ Dallas L 79–84 Brittney Griner (24) Diana Taurasi (6) Diana Taurasi (7) College Park Center
4,242		1–4
6June 9@ Dallas L 77–90 Brittney Griner (18) Brianna Turner (8) Sug Sutton (9) College Park Center
6,251		1–5
7June 11@ Indiana W 85–82 Brittney Griner (29) Michaela Onyenwere (12) Sutton
Taurasi (7)		 Gainbridge Fieldhouse
5,013		2–5
8June 13 Seattle L 69–83 Sophie Cunningham (21) Brianna Turner (10) Shey Peddy (7) Footprint Center
7,044		2–6
9June 16@ Washington L 69–88 Michaela Onyenwere (20) Michaela Onyenwere (9) Sug Sutton (8) Entertainment and Sports Arena
N/A		2–7
10June 18@ New York L 71–89 Sophie Cunningham (27) Megan Gustafson (7) Sug Sutton (9) Barclays Center
9,278		2–8
11June 21 Las Vegas L 79–99 Sug Sutton (21) Megan Gustafson (10) Sophie Cunningham (6) Footprint Center
11,580		2–9
12June 24@ Seattle L 74–97 Moriah Jefferson (18) Brittney Griner (6) Sug Sutton (7) Climate Pledge Arena
9,122		2–10
13June 27 Dallas L 62–77 Brittney Griner (20) Brianna Turner (7) Jefferson
Sutton (4)		 Footprint Center
5,652		2–11
14June 29 Indiana W 85–63 Brittney Griner (22) Michaela Onyenwere (7) Diana Taurasi (6) Footprint Center
9,047		3–11
July : 3–7 (Home: 3–1; Road: 0–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
15July 1 Minnesota L 76–86 Brittney Griner (23) Brianna Turner (13) Moriah Jefferson (7) Footprint Center
8,777		3–12
16July 5@ New York L 95–99 Diana Taurasi (23) Brittney Griner (8) Diana Taurasi (7) Barclays Center
7,151		3–13
17July 7@ Minnesota L 64–75 Michaela Onyenwere (24) Griner
Turner (8)		 Sug Sutton (10) Target Center
7,714		3–14
18July 9 Los Angeles W 78–72 Brittney Griner (29) Brittney Griner (11) Moriah Jefferson (8) Footprint Center
9,206		4–14
19July 11@ Las Vegas L 72–98 Michaela Onyenwere (18) Brianna Turner (9) Diana Taurasi (6) Michelob Ultra Arena
10,281		4–15
20July 18 Connecticut W 72–66 Sophie Cunningham (17) Brianna Turner (8) Brittney Griner (5) Footprint Center
7,788		5–15
21July 20 Chicago W 80–62 Shey Peddy (20) Brittney Griner (11) Sophie Cunningham (7) Footprint Center
11,292		6–15
22July 23@ Washington L 69–84 Sophie Cunningham (17) Cunningham
Turner (6)		 Sug Sutton (6) Entertainment and Sports Arena
4,200		6–16
23July 25@ Atlanta L 65–78 Megan Gustafson (19) Megan Gustafson (8) Jefferson
Sutton (3)		 Gateway Center Arena
3,209		6–17
24July 30@ Chicago L 85–104 Diana Taurasi (24) Megan Gustafson (8) Moriah Jefferson (7) Wintrust Arena
8,914		6–18
August : 3–9 (Home: 3–4; Road: 0–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
25August 1@ Indiana L 71–72 Diana Taurasi (29) Brianna Turner (8) Moriah Jefferson (4) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
3,018		6–19
26August 3 Atlanta W 91–71 Diana Taurasi (42) Gustafson
Turner (8)		 Moriah Jefferson (4) Footprint Center
7,564		7–19
27August 5 Seattle L 91–97 Diana Taurasi (28) Brittney Griner (6) Sug Sutton (8) Footprint Center
9,411		7–20
28August 8 Washington W 91–72 Jefferson
Taurasi (15)		 Brianna Turner (8) Cunningham
Jefferson
Sutton
Taurasi (4)		 Footprint Center
6,610		8–20
29August 10 Connecticut W 90–84 Brittney Griner (21) Brittney Griner (10) Jefferson
Taurasi (5)		 Footprint Center
7,186		9–20
30August 13@ Seattle L 71–81 Sophie Cunningham (25) Brittney Griner (10) Diana Taurasi (7) Climate Pledge Arena
10,107		9–21
31August 18 New York L 63–85 Cunningham
Taurasi (14)		 Brianna Turner (8) Moriah Jefferson (7) Footprint Center
9,652		9–22
32August 20 Indiana L 73–83 Sophie Cunningham (18) Brianna Turner (9) Jefferson
Taurasi (3)		 Footprint Center
11,807		9–23
33August 22@ Los Angeles L 62–91 Sophie Cunningham (16) Megan Gustafson (8) Sophie Cunningham (6) Crypto.com Arena
3,469		9–24
34August 27 Dallas L 74–77 Moriah Jefferson (20) Brianna Turner (10) Moriah Jefferson (5) Footprint Center
12,163		9–25
35August 29@ Atlanta L 76–94 Sug Sutton (20) Brittney Griner (6) Moriah Jefferson (9) Gateway Center Arena
2,785		9–26
36August 31@ Connecticut L 74–84 Brittney Griner (15) Turner
Sutton (6)		 Sug Sutton (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
7,794		9–27
September : 0–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance		Record
37September 3@ Minnesota L 73–86 Moriah Jefferson (32) Brittney Griner (10) Sug Sutton (5) Target Center
7,314		9–28
38September 5 Washington L 77–100 Michaela Onyenwere (19) Gustafson
Turner (7)		 Sug Sutton (7) Footprint Center
7,038		9–29
39September 8 Las Vegas L 73–94 Sug Sutton (18) Sug Sutton (11) Sug Sutton (11) Footprint Center
13,206		9–30
40September 10@ Las Vegas L 85–100 Moriah Jefferson (22) Gustafson
Turner (7)		 Jefferson
Sutton (6)		 T-Mobile Arena
17,406		9–31
2023 season schedule

Standings

#Team
W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1x – Las Vegas Aces 346.850–18–219–115–59–1
2x – New York Liberty 328.800216–415–517–37–3
3x – Connecticut Sun 2713.675714–613–714–67–3
4x – Dallas Wings 2218.5501211–911–911–96–4
5x – Atlanta Dream 1921.4751511–911–98–126–4
6x – Minnesota Lynx 1921.4751512–89–1110–105–5
7x – Washington Mystics 1921.475159–1112–87–135–5
8x – Chicago Sky 1822.450165–157–1311–93–7
9e – Los Angeles Sparks 1723.425179–1110–107–135–5
10e – Indiana Fever 1327.325215–156–147–132–8
11e – Seattle Storm 1129.275238–124–167–134–6
12e – Phoenix Mercury 931.225252–188–121–191–9

Notes

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

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

Regular Season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Brittney Griner 313127.6.562.111.7726.32.20.51.617.5
Diana Taurasi 262627.3.403.342.8483.64.60.50.516.0
Sophie Cunningham 313129.0.413.337.8752.82.10.60.411.3
Moriah Jefferson 393624.9.434.355.8202.03.61.10.210.5
Michaela Onyenwere 402723.8.404.315.7593.71.30.80.58.9
Sug Sutton 401226.3.384.333.8072.64.80.70.18.2
Megan Gustafson 34415.1.526.349.8063.94.80.70.18.2
Shey Peddy 18015.8.369.348.8001.81.80.90.05.2
Ashley Joens ≠8013.4.387.5001.0001.10.10.30.04.5
Brianna Turner 403326.3.650.000.5006.31.31.01.13.5
Liz Dixon ‡1005.6.571.000.8751.30.10.00.22.3
Jennie Simms ‡6011.7.286.000.7142.20.50.30.02.2
Madi Williams ≠509.2.333.000.0001.00.20.40.22.0
Kadi Sissoko 4008.4.371.167.6251.60.20.10.11.5
Destanni Henderson ‡506.2.200.2001.0000.80.40.00.01.4
Evina Westbrook ‡908.0.100.0001.0001.00.40.10.11.1
Alaina Coates ‡202.51.000.000.0000.00.00.50.01.0
Sam Thomas ‡1011.0.000.000.0001.00.00.00.00.0


‡Waived/Released during the season
†Traded during the season
≠Acquired during the season

Awards and honors

RecipientAward/MilestoneDate awardedRef.
Brittney Griner WNBA All-Star Starter June 25 [34]
Diana Taurasi Western Conference Player of the Week August 8 [35]

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References

  1. ↑ Gonzalez, Isabel (October 17, 2022). "Phoenix Mercury star Skylar Diggins-Smith announces pregnancy". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Ishbia agrees to Suns purchase for record $4B". ESPN.com. December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  3. ↑ "NBA statement about independent investigation regarding Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization". NBA.com: NBA Communications. September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Suns' owner Sarver suspended from NBA/WNBA for one year, fined $10 million". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  5. ↑ "NBA approves sale of Suns, Mercury to Ishbia". ESPN.com. February 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Sources: Mat Ishbia's purchase of Suns, Mercury to be official soon". espn.com. January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  7. ↑ Sports, Arizona (February 7, 2023). "Mat Ishbia's purchase of Phoenix Suns approved by NBA vote". Arizona Sports.
  8. ↑ "MAT ISHBIA ASSUMES CONTROLLING OWNERSHIP INTEREST OF PHOENIX SUNS AND PHOENIX MERCURY". www.nba.com.
  9. ↑ "PHOENIX MERCURY NAME MONICA WRIGHT ROGERS AS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  10. ↑ @RachGall (January 13, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury extended Qualifying Offers to Sam Thomas, Shey Peddy, Megan Gustafson and Sophie Cunningham. @Winsidr" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ↑ "SPICY SOPHIE RETURNS! MERCURY RE-SIGNS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Mercury Signs Madi Williams to Hardship Contract". oursportscentral.com. Our Sports Central. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ "MERCURY RE-SIGNS GUSTAFSON, SIMMS, THOMAS". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  14. ↑ "MERCURY SIGNS SYDNEY WIESE". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Chicago Sky Acquires Marina Mabrey in Four-Team Trade". sky.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  16. ↑ "MERCURY SIGNS MORIAH JEFFERSON". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  17. ↑ "RETURN OF THE GOAT! TAURASI RE-SIGNS WITH MERCURY". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  18. ↑ "MERCURY RE-SIGN BRITTNEY GRINER". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  19. ↑ "PHOENIX MERCURY RE-SIGN GUARD SHEY PEDDY". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  20. ↑ "MERCURY ADDS SLOCUM, SUTTON TO TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  21. ↑ "MERCURY ADDS 14-YEAR WNBA VETERAN TULLY BEVILAQUA TO STAFF". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  22. ↑ "WNBA's Mercury Sign Booker To Training Camp Contract". unlvrebels.com. UNLV Rebels. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Phoenix Mercury adds Taja Edwards to coaching staff". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  24. ↑ @eliavgabay (May 19, 2023). "UPDATE: Forward Liz Dixon has been added to the opening night roster on a player replacement contract. @Sports360AZ" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  25. ↑ @phoenixmercury (June 21, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury have signed forward Sam Thomas to an injury replacement contract ahead of today's matchup against the Las Vegas Aces" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  26. 1 2 @phoenixmercury (June 22, 2023). "Roster Update: The Phoenix Mercury has signed guard Jennie Simms and waived guard Evina Westbrook, the team announced today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  27. ↑ Merchant, Sabreena. "Phoenix Mercury fire coach Vanessa Nygaard after 2-10 start to season: What went wrong?". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  28. ↑ @phoenixmercury (June 27, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury announced today the signing of center Alaina Coates to a hardship contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ↑ @phoenixmercury (June 30, 2023). "An Arizona Women's Basketball icon is taking a seat on our bench. Legendary @SunDevilWBB Coach Charli Turner Thorne joins the Phoenix Mercury as an Assistant Coach on Nikki Blue's staff!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ↑ "MERCURY NAMES NICK U'REN GENERAL MANAGER; JIM PITMAN TO RETIRE FROM ROLE AT CONCLUSION OF 2023 SEASON". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  31. 1 2 @phoenixmercury (July 20, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury has signed forward Liz Dixon to a seven-day contract and waived guard Jennie Simms, the team announced today" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  32. ↑ Yapkowitz, David. "Mercury add former Oklahoma star amid Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi absences". clutchpoints.com. Clutch Points. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  33. ↑ Yapkowitz, David. "Mercury add former UConn star amid elimination from playoff contention". clutchpoints.com. Clutch Points. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  34. ↑ M.A. Voepel (June 25, 2023). "Brittney Griner, Aliyah Boston named WNBA All-Star starters". ESPN . Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  35. ↑ "DIANA TAURASI NAMED WESTERN CONFERENECE PLAYER OF THE WEEK". mercury.wnba.com. WNBA. August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
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