With Brittney Griner sidelined indefinitely due to a toe fracture, Phoenix Mercury’s head coach Nate Tibbetts has been forced to rethink his game plan. The absence of the nine-time All-Star has left a significant gap in the team’s lineup.
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When looking at the roster, Griner’s presumably lengthy absence will give Natasha Mack and Liz Dixon more opportunities to play and go up against some of the best in the WNBA. Dixon signed with the Mercury last week after the team waived seven players.
Mack, a Texas native, has an impressive international career, having played in New Zealand, Turkey, and Poland. Now, she has a golden opportunity to establish herself in the WNBA and secure her spot in the Mercury’s starting lineup.
Now that she has the chance to show that she belongs in the WNBA, Mack can cement her place in the Mercury’s starting lineup until Griner comes back healthy.
“My teammates encouraged me like ‘Yeah Mack, let’s get it, you are doing good,’ [them] believing in me, even through the little mistakes,” Mack said at the Mercury’s practice on Thursday. “They are bringing life to me and I love it.”
In her first WNBA game in two years, Mack was tasked with defending superstar A’ja Wilson and the back-to-back champions, the Las Vegas Aces, on Tuesday. Mack played 20 minutes, finishing with two points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks. On the other hand, Wilson scored 30 points and tagged along 13 rebounds in the 89-80 Aces victory.
While they did fall in their first game of the season, Mack was encouraged by her performance and grateful to play against someone she has looked up to.
“That’s one of my favorite players, so like to play against her and learn her game was amazing,” Mack said. “Glad she didn’t take it easy, she gave me a taste of what the league is like and I appreciate that.”
"She is one of my favorite players. To play against her and learn her game was amazing. Glad she didn't take it easy."
Our @AlecCipollini asked Phoenix Mercury C/F Natasha Mack about what it was like defending Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson. @_ajawilson22 #ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/wdDmuFQjaq
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 17, 2024
Learning from a Legend
Even though Griner is injured, that doesn’t mean she will become any less invested in her team and help others improve.
The 11-year WNBA veteran has accomplished many accolades along the way and knows a thing or two about how to achieve success in the league. She is a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year and scoring champion, nine-time All-Star, received first-team All-WNBA honors three times and many more.
When asked about learning from one of the greats and gaining insight into certain areas in which she can improve, Mack is excited to be teammates with Griner and work alongside her.
“I am always in here like ‘What can I do better?’ Mack said. “Can I do this or that? She is like ‘Do this or that.’ I appreciate it. It’s amazing to have this opportunity to be coached by her with the helpful hints.”
"It's amazing to have this opportunity to be coached by her with the helpful hints… I appreciate it."
Our @AlecCipollini asked Phoenix Mercury C/F Natasha Mack about how it has been being mentored by #WNBA superstar Brittney Griner. #ValleyTogether @brittneygriner pic.twitter.com/qermr4qHOh
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) May 17, 2024
With extended minutes surely in her future, Mack can make her case that she deserves another contract with the Mercury. She signed a training camp deal on April 4 and made the opening night roster.
Time will tell when Griner does eventually return this season, but Mack will be relied upon until that day comes.
The Mercury are set to host the Atlanta Dream on Saturday at 7 p.m. PT inside Footprint Center.
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Alec Cipollini covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
