The Phoenix Mercury have lost three games in a row, but are growing more battle-tested in the process.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Friday’s matchup at the Minnesota Lynx will be Phoenix’s sixth game in 11 days — and its third road game in four days. The frequent travel has been rigorous, but the Mercury have no other option than to play who’s in front of them.
“It’s a tough stretch for us, we have five games in eight days but we are pushing through,” Phoenix Mercury point guard Natasha Cloud said. “We are the ‘Great 8’ right now and we just got to hold down the fort until we get all of our players back. These are the games that will prepare us for the end of the season. The experiences that we have in these games, being able to be in these positions where we do need to execute, the pressure, the crowd is there. We are going to continue to get better.”
Cloud recognizes that these stretches are the ones that will help this team grow. Diamonds are forged under pressure, and Phoenix has shown potential early in the season, despite its current rough stretch. However, Cloud also spoke out on the WNBA’s scheduling — mentioning that so many games in such a short amount of time can prove to be a detriment to the team.
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“Five games in eight days, we’re barely sleeping, we’re getting sick,” said Cloud. “And that’s not an excuse. We’re going to continue to show up every night and give our best foot forward. But we need some help from our league with spacing these games out, it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
The WNBA’s scheduling is an entirely separate argument, but nonetheless, Phoenix has been plagued by a few minor injuries throughout this stretch. Brittney Griner has obviously been a missed commodity to start the season, missing every game thus far due to a left toe fracture. However, guards Sug Sutton and Rebecca Allen have been in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Sutton will be available for Friday’s matchup in Minnesota, but Allen remains in concussion protocol and will miss another game.
One of Phoenix’s major problems this season have been its turnovers. The Mercury average 15 turnovers per contest, while having a 18% TOV rate.
This doesn’t necessarily make the Mercury one of the more turnover prone teams in the league — they rank in the middle of the pack. But timely turnovers in an offense that heavily relies on moving the ball and making that next pass is surely a detriment.
© Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
“The last two games, we have been turning it [the ball] over at a pretty high rate and I think on the year, we are third or fourth in turnover rate,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said on lessening turnovers. “Obviously the last two games it was an issue. Our team knows how important it is and last night, we are just going to throw out the window and move on. This is right around the goal where we want to be at.”
The last three games have been a rollercoaster of emotions to say the least. A 15-point loss to Dallas, a 23-point loss to Connecticut, and a 3-point loss to New York. Through the ups and the downs, it’s important for Phoenix to stay level-headed and not falter in high-pressure situations.
“We don’t want to get ourselves in the hole, we just have competitors and fighters,” Copper said. “We never got rattled when we got down. I am proud of how we fought back and I just wish the outcome was different.”
Minnesota, 4-2, is currently ranked second in the Western conference. Phoenix, 3-4, will look to get a win against a high-level opponent. A win for Phoenix could pay dividends towards the latter half of this season.
Phee stuffed the stat sheet in the W. ???? pic.twitter.com/Au09KNf9UR
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 27, 2024
Minnesota will be without the services of Diamond Miller, but will be fully healthy outside of that. The Lynx are home to the most efficient offense in the entire league, led by Napheesa Collier who is averaging 22.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals and two blocks. Collier has been a force on both ends this season, and is making an early case for both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
The Lynx have a high-level cast around Collier, with three extra double-digit scorers alongside her.
Phoenix may struggle with Minnesota’s firepower if it gets off to a hot start. However, represented by its newfound culture, Phoenix has a fighting chance if it combines grit with efficient beyond-the-arc shooting.
Phoenix and Minnesota will play at 6:30 p.m. PT.
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
