Through 13 games in the 2024 WNBA season, the Phoenix Mercury are 6-7, and have shown their potential as a unit under first-year head coach Nate Tibbetts. However, a number of factors have led to a below .500 record — some that can’t be controlled.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Mercury were without the services of Brittney Griner for the first 10 games, and have missed Bec Allen for five games. Two vital pieces to the rotation, Griner and Allen have made their presence known in the time they’ve played.
This entire Mercury team is largely revamped from years past, but Tibbetts feels as if they’re on the cusp of their best basketball.
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“This is our fourth game together,” said Tibbetts following Phoenix’s loss to Las Vegas on Thursday. “This is the back-to-back champs, I don’t think we’re very far away. I love where we’re headed. We had good stretches and bad stretches, we gave ourselves a chance to win at the end. I don’t think we’re that far away. I like where we’re headed.”
Of course, the Mercury’s up-and-down season thus far can be attributed to more than just injuries. Frequent turnovers have plagued this team, along with the lack of an inside presence outside of Griner.
But something that makes this Mercury team different is the unity. The culture of this team has been on full display, and a second-half jump in the standings is totally doable.
“One thing we’re priding ourselves on this year is that every day is a new day.”
Nate Tibbetts discussed the Mercury’s day-by-day approach, and how good it was to have the X-Factor keep the vibes high at today’s practice.#ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/ZczseS49VS
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 14, 2024
Despite a tough loss to the Aces on Thursday that featured questionable officiating, Phoenix is taking things one day at a time to stay level-headed.
“One thing we’re priding ourselves on this year is that every day is a new day,” Tibbetts said. “Win or lose, you got to come in the next day and go to work. Today is about our fans, the X-Factor. They support us each and every night, it’s so important for us to give back to them.”
0 Phoenix Mercury players listed as inactive against Seattle Storm
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
