Phoenix's playoff journey in 2022 was a testament to their resilience, even amidst considerable adversity. The Phoenix Mercury, despite finishing with a regular season record of 15-21, managed to secure a playoff spot, outperforming teams like the Minnesota Lynx and Los Angeles Sparks. But how did they pull it off? Let's dive in.
Their playoff run, however, was cut short by the Las Vegas Aces, who swept them. The Aces went on to claim their first championship, highlighting the level of competition in the WNBA.
The 2022 season was a challenging one for the Mercury. They faced significant hurdles, including the absence of Brittney Griner. Adding to the drama, they acquired All-Star center Tina Charles, who, after playing 16 games, sought a change. Charles and the Mercury agreed to a buyout, leading her to sign with the Seattle Storm.
Charles joined the team with championship aspirations, especially since the Mercury had reached the WNBA Finals the previous year, only to lose to the Chicago Sky. A fully healthy Mercury squad could have been a contender, but setbacks unfortunately occurred.
Despite these obstacles, the Mercury showcased impressive performances throughout the season. Their offensive prowess was particularly notable, with their highest-scoring game against the Lynx.
In that game against Minnesota, the Mercury fell short with a score of 118-107. However, two players had standout performances: Sophie Cunningham with 36 points and Skylar Diggins with 32. Cunningham also contributed with 7 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 assists, and a block. Diggins added 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Diana Taurasi also had a strong showing, scoring 17 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and recording 2 blocks and a steal.
The Mercury had two games where they scored 99 points. The first was a victory over the Washington Mystics. In that game, 5 Mercury players scored in double figures, with Diggins leading the charge with 27 points.
Later, the Mercury secured a 99-78 win against the Indiana Fever. This game showcased a balanced attack, with 7 players scoring at least 10 points.
Diggins once again led the way, with 17 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block. The Mercury had some memorable games that season, and while their performance declined the following year, their efforts in 2022 were commendable.
What do you think? Did the Mercury's scoring prowess overshadow other weaknesses? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
