WASHINGTON D.C. – The first half of the 2024 WNBA season has been nothing short of a whirlwind of emotions for the Phoenix Mercury. Injuries on top of the congested schedule due to the upcoming Olympic break threw the Mercury out of their mojo, and consistency has been a major struggle for this veteran group.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Through the ups and downs, there was one goal in mind heading into Washington on Tuesday – finish out strong. Now that the goal has been met, it’s about staying grounded over this break and focusing on the development of the bench unit.
“[The message] is enjoy the break, get healthy,” said Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts. “The players that are in Phoenix, that’s an opportunity for us to work on our player development. This is my first Olympic break, and we’ve got four players [Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Kahleah Copper, Bec Allen] who aren’t going to be around. It’s going to be a big time for development.”
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MERC WIN, BABY! pic.twitter.com/0y5Wk5BtUU
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 16, 2024
Closing out this chapter of the season right was crucial if the Mercury wants to build more consistency this coming August. They defeated a struggling Mystics team by nine points on its home floor, and needed to take advantage of that favorable matchup.
Tibbetts and his team are notorious for their philosophy of living and dying by the 3 – but are at their best when Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper are putting pressure on the rim. Connecticut did a good job of closing off those driving lanes in the second half on Sunday, but the Mercury were able to get to the rim at a higher rate, and the entire unit reaped the benefits of that.
Copper has talked about defenses having to make decisions, and they surely put the opposition into situations where they have to make decisions.
Copper having some screens set higher up the floor when she's initiating play is *really* good in process
It's also very friendly to her drives — whether she's seeing drop like here, or if teams are more aggressive in scheme
Great Mack screen & Kah's out of a cannon downhill pic.twitter.com/hZ2USHOhPR
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️???? (@StayTrueSDot3) July 16, 2024
Tibbetts seemingly put Copper and Cloud into higher pick-and-roll sets than normal, creating enough space for either to attack Washington’s vulnerable rim defense. Washington’s defense was continuously forced into rotation as Phoenix would run sets up the floor, and the Mercury were simply just able to outclass the Mystics.
The Mercury’s best execution comes through creating different looks that forces the defense to react. Five players reached double-digit scoring, and a flow was ignited early that continued to grow all game.
Phoenix was at its best against Washington — and need to see that same consistency after the break.
ENERGY ON THIS TEAM GOES CRAZY. pic.twitter.com/dl1At6jQsv
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 16, 2024
“This league is tough, every game is tough,” said Diana Taurasi. “Every team battles ups and downs, injuries, people in and out of the lineup. Especially in an Olympic year where the games are consolidated in a short period. I feel like we’re in a good place, I feel like if we could find some consistency with what we’re trying to do on both ends, we’ll have a chance.”
Phoenix went on a 13-0 run to close out the third quarter, sparking a multi-possession lead that wouldn’t be broken for the remainder of the game. The Mercury went on a run, and kept their foot on the gas. Throughout the first half of this season, there were many times where they’d go on a run, and give it right back up. Today was much different in Washington.
It was also a much different day for number zero in the purple and orange.
The way she orchestrates the entire game from the point guard position is elite.
You’re watching an elite playmaker.
12 Points. 10 Assists. 9 Rebounds. pic.twitter.com/NTwHr6YN1s
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 16, 2024
Cloud, who has stepped up as a floor general and leader for the Mercury, spent eight seasons in Washington before making the move to The Valley. Cloud helped bring Washington its first WNBA championship in 2019 – but has now moved onto a new chapter in her WNBA career.
For the first time as a pro, she entered the Nation’s Capital on the opposite side. She led her new troops into battle, and posted a near triple double against her former team with 12 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.
“[It’s] a blessing,” Cloud said discussing her emotions when playing against her former team. “I spent eight years of my career here, everyone knows that D.C. means the world to me. So to come back and play here and win here, that’s a really big thing.”
“I am really happy with where I am in this next chapter of my career,” Cloud added.
This game kick starts a 30-day break for the Mercury, who will be aiming for a more consistent attack post Olympics. Phoenix sits at 13-12, good for sixth across the WNBA. But Tibbetts and his squad know that the best basketball is ahead — despite what the record shows.
Next Games
Mercury: Away at Chicago Sky (9-14) | Aug. 15 | 5 p.m. PT
Mystics: Away at Minnesota Lynx (6-19) | Aug. 15 | 5 p.m. PT
Sun shines too bright for Mercury on Sunday, stifling second-half defense secures Connecticut win
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
