What to make of the Phoenix Mercury?
Through seven games, the team sits at 3-4, owners of an inspiring win, a 98-88 triumph over the Aces in Las Vegas, and some disappointing displays, highlighted by a 70-47 loss to the Sun in Connecticut. That Brittney Griner has yet to play in the 2024 season due to a toe injury makes the Mercury even harder to judge.
Entering the season, there was some skepticism about the Mercury from around these parts, a belief that the organization’s offseason moves, from hiring a new head coach to signing free agents Natasha Cloud and Rebecca Allen to executing a blockbuster trade for Kahleah Copper, represented much sound and fury that, ultimately, would signify little in terms of elevating Phoenix into a title contender, or even a playoff team.
However, despite a below .500 record, the Mercury have shown enough encouraging signs, suggesting that the offseason revitalization has the team on the right track. Here are three early-season observations about Phoenix.
The new additions are excelling
Phoenix gave up a lot to bring Kahleah Copper to the Valley, sending the No. 3 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, which became Kamilla Cardoso, a 2026 first-round pick and rotational players Brianna Turner and Michaela Onyenwere to the Chicago Sky.
So far,…
