| 2024Phoenix Mercury season | |
|---|---|
| Coach | Nate Tibbetts |
| Arena | Footprint Center |
| Attendance | 10,715 per game |
| Results | |
| Record | 19–21 (.475) |
| Place | 4th(Western) |
| Playoff finish | 7th seed; Lost in First Round 0–2 toMinnesota Lynx |
| Team Leaders | |
| Points | Kahleah Copper – 21.1 ppg |
| Rebounds | Brittney Griner – 6.6 rpg |
| Assists | Natasha Cloud – 6.9 apg |
The2024 Phoenix Mercury season was the 27th season for thePhoenix Mercury of theWomen's National Basketball Association, and their first season under new general managerNick U'Ren and head coachNate Tibbetts. Prior to the season, interim coachNikki Blue's contract was not renewed, and Tibbets was hired on October 18, 2023.[1]
The season tipped off on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, against theLas Vegas Aces in Las Vegas.[2] The Mercury would go on to lose that game 80–89. However, they would win the next three games, including a ten-point win at Las Vegas, and three-point wins overAtlanta andWashington. However, they lost their final four games of the month, including a game againstConnecticut where they scored only 47 points. They ended May 3–5. They began June by defeatingLos Angeles at home. They lost inSeattle before winning their next two games. They would lose to Las Vegas before winning their next two games. The Mercury lost two of their last three games in June to finish to month 6–4. They opened July with a loss before winning their next three matches, including two againstDallas. THe would lose two games, before winning the final game before the Olympic break against Washington. They finished July 4–3. Their up and down season continued after the Olympic break as they alternated wins and losses for the first five games of the month. They finished the month by losing two games to finish 3–4. They entered September in the hunt for a playoff spot and lost four of their first five games in the month. However, they defeatedChicago and Los Angeles before losing the final game of the season to Seattle. The Mercury finished the month 3–5 and the season 19–21.
Their record saw them finish seventh in the WNBA, which qualified them for the playoffs. They faced off against the second seededMinnesota Lynx in the First Round of the playoffs. They lost both games in Minnesota to lose the series two games to zero. The first game was closer as it finished 95–102, while the second was 88–101. Their nineteen wins more than doubled their win total from a season ago. It was the second time they qualified for the playoffs and were swept in the First Round in the past three years.
| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | School/Team/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 25 | Charisma Osborne |  United States | UCLA |
| 3 | 29 | Jaz Shelley |  Australia | Nebraska |
| Date | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|
| October 28, 2023 | HiredNate Tibbetts as Head Coach[1] | |
| January 17, 2024 | Extended a Qualifying Offer toSug Sutton[3] | |
| January 27, 2024 | SignedSug Sutton to a Training Camp Contract[3] | |
| February 1, 2024 | SignedNatasha Cloud[4] | |
| February 3, 2024 | AcquiredRebecca Allen in exchange forMoriah Jefferson[5] | |
| SignedChristyn Williams to a Training Camp Contract[3] | ||
| February 6, 2024 | AcquiredKahleah Copper and the rights toMorgan Bertsch in exchange forMichaela Onyenwere,Brianna Turner, the third pick in the 2024 draft, Chicago's second round pick in the 2025 draft, Phoenix's 2026 first round pick, and the right to swap 2026 second round picks.[6] | |
| February 8, 2024 | SignedMikiah Herbert Harrigan to a Training Camp Contract[3] | |
| February 9, 2024 | SignedNatasha Mack to a Training Camp Contract[3] | |
| February 13, 2024 | SignedAmy Atwell to a Training Camp Contract[3] | |
| March 7, 2024 | SignedMya Hollingshed to a Training Camp Contract[3] | |
| March 15, 2024 | WaivedKadi Sissoko[3] | |
| March 30, 2024 | Re-SignedBrittney Griner[7] | |
| April 16, 2024 | SignedCharisma Osborne andJaz Shelley to Rookie Contracts[3] | |
| April 24, 2024 | Signed Air Hearn,Bella Murekatete, andDesi-Rae Young to a Training Camp Contracts[8] | |
| April 28, 2024 | WaivedDesi-Rae Young[3] | |
| May 11, 2024 | WaivedAmy Atwell, Air Hearn,Mya Hollingshed,Bella Murekatete,Charisma Osborne,Jaz Shelley, andChristyn Williams[9] | |
| SignedLiz Dixon to a Training Camp Contract from waivers | ||
| June 10, 2024 | WaivedMorgan Bertsch[10] | |
| June 13, 2024 | SignedCharisma Osborne[11] | |
| July 2, 2024 | WaivedLiz Dixon | |
| July 5, 2024 | SignedLiz Dixon to 7-day contract[3] | |
| July 12, 2024 | ReleasedLiz Dixon(contract ended) | |
| SignedCeleste Taylor to 7-day contract[3] | ||
| August 16, 2024 | Released Celeste Taylor(contract ended)[3] | |
| August 18, 2024 | SignedMonique Billings to 7-day contract[12] | |
| August 20, 2024 | Acquired the rights toKlara Lundquist from theWashington Mystics in exchange forSug Sutton and a 2025 3rd round pick[13] | |
| August 23, 2024 | Signed Celeste Taylor to a second 7-day contract | |
| August 25, 2024 | Signed Monique Billings to a rest-of-season contract[14] | |
| August 30, 2024 | Signed Celeste Taylor to a third 7-day contract | |
| September 5, 2024 | SignedAmy Atwell to a 7-day contract[15] | |
| September 6, 2024 | Signed Celeste Taylor to a rest-of-season contract[16] | |
Additions[edit]
| Subtractions[edit]
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| 2024Phoenix Mercury roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Pos. | Starter | Bench |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Natasha Cloud | Charisma Osborne |
| SG | Diana Taurasi | |
| SF | Kahleah Copper | Rebecca Allen |
| PF | Sophie Cunningham | Monique Billings Mikiah Herbert Harrigan |
| C | Brittney Griner | Natasha Mack |
| 2024 pre-season game log Total: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May: 0–2 (Home: 0–1; Road: 0–1)
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| 2024 pre-season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 game log Total: 19–21 (Home: 10–10; Road: 9–11) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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May: 3–5 (Home: 2–1; Road: 1–4)
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June: 6–4 (Home: 5–2; Road: 1–2)
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July: 4–3 (Home: 1–1; Road: 3–2)
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August: 3–4 (Home: 1–2; Road: 2–2)
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September: 3–5 (Home: 1–4; Road: 2–1)
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| 2024 season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 playoff game log | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First round vs. Minnesota Lynx Lost Series: 0–2
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| 2024 playoff schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Conf. | Home | Road | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | yx –New York Liberty | 32 | 8 | .800 | — | 16–4 | 16–4 | 16–4 | 5–0 |
| 2 | cx –Minnesota Lynx | 30 | 10 | .750 | 2 | 14–6 | 16–4 | 14–6 | 4–1 |
| 3 | x –Connecticut Sun | 28 | 12 | .700 | 4 | 14–6 | 14–6 | 14–6 | 4–1 |
| 4 | x –Las Vegas Aces | 27 | 13 | .675 | 5 | 12–8 | 13–7 | 14–6 | 2–3 |
| 5 | x –Seattle Storm | 25 | 15 | .625 | 7 | 13–7 | 14–6 | 11–9 | 4–1 |
| 6 | x –Indiana Fever | 20 | 20 | .500 | 12 | 11–9 | 12–8 | 8–12 | 3–2 |
| 7 | x –Phoenix Mercury | 19 | 21 | .475 | 13 | 10–10 | 10–10 | 9–11 | 3–2 |
| 8 | x –Atlanta Dream | 15 | 25 | .375 | 17 | 7–13 | 8–12 | 7–13 | 1–4 |
| 9 | e –Washington Mystics | 14 | 26 | .350 | 18 | 7–13 | 5–15 | 9–11 | 1–4 |
| 10 | e –Chicago Sky | 13 | 27 | .325 | 19 | 5–15 | 6–14 | 7–13 | 1–4 |
| 11 | e –Dallas Wings | 9 | 31 | .225 | 23 | 6–14 | 7–13 | 2–18 | 0–5 |
| 12 | e –Los Angeles Sparks | 8 | 32 | .200 | 24 | 5–15 | 5–15 | 3–17 | 2–3 |
Notes
| First round Best-of-3 | Semifinals Best-of-5 | Finals Best-of-5 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | New York Liberty | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | Atlanta Dream | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | New York Liberty | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | Las Vegas Aces | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 5 | Seattle Storm | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | New York Liberty | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Phoenix Mercury | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Minnesota Lynx | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 6 | Indiana Fever | 0 | ||||||||||||
| Legend | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games 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 game | Team leader | League leader | ||||
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PF | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahleah Copper | 37 | 37 | 32.4 | .435 | .314 | .807 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 3.0 | 3.3 | 21.1 |
| Brittney Griner | 30 | 30 | 28.7 | .579 | .500 | .777 | 6.6 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 17.8 |
| Diana Taurasi | 36 | 36 | 29.0 | .400 | .333 | .857 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 14.9 |
| Natasha Cloud | 38 | 38 | 33.3 | .397 | .308 | .826 | 4.1 | 6.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 11.5 |
| Sophie Cunningham | 40 | 21 | 27.8 | .429 | .378 | .870 | 3.9 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 8.4 |
| Rebecca Allen | 18 | 18 | 24.8 | .417 | .352 | .667 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 7.4 |
| Monique Billings≠ | 13 | 2 | 18.1 | .434 | .286 | .800 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 4.9 |
| Natasha Mack | 40 | 11 | 15.5 | .573 | .000 | .579 | 5.0 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 3.8 |
| Celeste Taylor≠ | 15 | 4 | 20.0 | .317 | .200 | .563 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 3.5 |
| Mikiah Herbert Harrigan | 31 | 3 | 10.8 | .412 | .327 | .550 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 3.2 |
| Sug Sutton† | 22 | 0 | 14.9 | .306 | .270 | .692 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 2.9 |
| Morgan Bertsch‡ | 8 | 0 | 9.8 | .222 | .143 | .875 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.6 |
| Amy Atwell≠ | 6 | 0 | 9.8 | .267 | .231 | .800 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| Liz Dixon‡ | 17 | 0 | 9.4 | .379 | — | .800 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 1.8 |
| Charisma Osborne≠ | 2 | 0 | 5.0 | .500 | — | — | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 |
‡Waived/Released during the season
†Traded during the season
≠Acquired during the season
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PF | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natasha Cloud | 2 | 2 | 36.5 | .543 | .462 | .833 | 5.5 | 10.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 24.5 |
| Brittney Griner | 2 | 2 | 29.5 | .520 | .500 | .700 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 17.0 |
| Diana Taurasi | 2 | 2 | 29.5 | .423 | .389 | 1.000 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 15.5 |
| Kahleah Copper | 2 | 2 | 29.5 | .407 | .364 | .600 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 5.0 | 14.5 |
| Natasha Mack | 2 | 0 | 13.0 | .636 | — | .000 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 7.0 |
| Sophie Cunningham | 2 | 2 | 31.5 | .500 | .429 | — | 4.5 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| Monique Billings | 2 | 0 | 14.0 | .800 | — | .000 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Celeste Taylor | 2 | 0 | 14.0 | .667 | .500 | — | 1.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 |
| Mikiah Herbert Harrigan | 2 | 0 | 1.5 | — | — | — | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Amy Atwell | 1 | 0 | 1.0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Recipient | Award/Milestone | Date awarded | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natasha Cloud | WNBA All-Defensive Second Team | September 29, 2024 | [17] |
| Kahleah Copper | Western Conference Player of the Week | May 28, 2024 | [18] |
| WNBA All-Star | July 2, 2024 | [19] | |
| 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist | August 11, 2024 | [20] | |
| AP All-WNBA Second Team | September 22, 2024 | [21] | |
| All-WNBA Second Team | October 16, 2024 | [22] | |
| Brittney Griner | Western Conference Player of the Week | June 18, 2024 | [23] |
| WNBA All-Star | July 2, 2024 | [19] | |
| 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist | August 11, 2024 | [20] | |
| Diana Taurasi | WNBA All-Star | July 2, 2024 | [19] |
| 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist | August 11, 2024 | [20] |
