Phoenix Mercury Season Primer: The Mercury may finally have the right mix for a deep WNBA playoff run

The Phoenix Mercury enter the 2025 season with a new identity and no room for excuses.

I will be your Phoenix Mercury reporter for the 2025 season.

First, I want to thank Bright Side of the Sun legend Dave King, who mentored me in my first season with the Suns. Dave, I hope to make you right by going through a fifth year as a writer for Bright Side to deliver the news.

Also, John Voita is a friend, and I thank him for another chance at writing. John believed in me and gave me a chance to be a full-time writer on the website. This is something I will not take for granted.

Let’s get to the preview for the 2025 Mercury.

Nate Tibbetts back for second season

In case you’re curious about his background, Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts was formerly an assistant with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he coached with Nate McMillan, and the Orlando Magic with Jamahl Mosley. Tibbetts, 47, is the highest-paid coach in the WNBA and is looking to make strides in his second season.

Tibbetts’ vision with the Mercury is to run-and-gun. Last season, he told us reporters the Mercury would shoot at least 35 3s per night, and that didn’t hold up. Phoenix shot 26.1 and left plenty to be desired on that end, in large part due to their injuries.

I wouldn’t expect the Mercury to follow a 3-point heavy offense in 2025. Even though they return the third-leading scorer in the WNBA, Kahleah Copper, this is a team that will rely on transition scoring. Copper, who is expected to take on more of a defensive-minded role, is likely to be the leader on offense.

Mercury Big 3 at the Forefront of Vision

You might not like it, but like the Suns with Book, KD, and Bradley Beal, the Mercury have their own ‘Big 3’ this basketball season.

Phoenix’s core is composed of Copper, Alyssa Thomas, and Satou Sabally. The three-headed monster will look to devour defenses and shred their opponents with their collective talents.

I’m not sure how this trio will perform together. Copper is an incredible scorer, but so is Sabally, who is one of the more difficult matchups in this league.

Media were allowed to observe the final 20 minutes of Sunday’s practice. In drill work, Sabally, Copper, and Thomas were on the floor without a true point guard. Sounds kinda like what didn’t work for the Suns.

However, Thomas, who was traded to the Mercury in February, is arguably the league’s best facilitator and will be playing more than one spot in Phoenix.

“[Thomas and Sabally] can move around in so many different spots,” Tibbetts said. “AT has been, probably, traditionally a four, but she’s going to be a point guard here. She’s going to be a forward, she’s going to be a five. We talked about positionless last year, but it’s going to probably look a lot more like that this year.”

Thomas is going to be used a lot for Phoenix if it does not rely on a point guard. She is a reigning two-time All-WNBA first-team selection, and also wants to make an impact defensively.

“I think her first thing when she spoke with the coaches was, ‘Are we going to guard?”’ Copper said.

No Taurasi, Griner in Phoenix

This is going to be a difficult transition for the “X-Factor” fanbase to watch. No longer is Diana Taurasi, arguably the greatest women’s player ever, on the team, nor Brittney Griner, who signed a one-year deal with Atlanta.

Together, Griner and Taurasi led the Mercury to consistent playoff berths and even a WNBA championship. They were a top-notch duo and will be challenging to move on from, considering their success and long-time play for the Mercury.

Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

“I think you’re going to see, now that they’ve moved on, I think you’ll see [Copper] step up,” Tibbetts said.

I asked Tibbetts about Copper, because she is now the face of the team.

“Kah had an awesome year. When you ask her where she wants to get better, I think she’ll [answer], No. 1, at the defensive end,” he said.

“She was fantastic in every drill. We’re going to really challenge her to lead, not just by her play, but her actions.”

You won’t like to hear this, but this is going to be a tough test for Copper. She is an excellent basketball player, having won the 2021 WNBA championship with the Chicago Sky. She was the Finals MVP and is a reigning Olympian, where she dominated with a 10-point fourth quarter in the women’s basketball Olympic final.

I’d like to help fans get to know more about Kahleah Copper, who is a brilliant player. She is going to be a fun watch if you haven’t gone to Mercury basketball games before.

Important Dates and Season Schedule

The Mercury will have their media day on Wednesday. Here is a look at important dates for the 2025 season:

Prediction for this Season

Expect this Mercury team to cause chaos offensively. Sabally is arguably one of the best wings in the WNBA, and Copper will be looking to do more in her second season in Phoenix.

That being said, this team will have to overcome some challenges we, as Suns writers and fans, are all too familiar with.

Prediction: 22-18

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