Mercury’s Finals loss extends Arizona’s painful championship heartbreaks

© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts walked into the press room after his team’s WNBA Finals loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday night, sat down, folded his box score and looked toward the press.

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“I’m extremely proud of our group,” he said. “… This is a special year. It’s one of the funnest years I’ve ever had in basketball. For a new group to come together the way that we did and competed, just says a lot about who’s in our locker room. Everyone involved, everyone bought into the vision.”

Tibbetts’ postgame news conference mirrored the comments and emotions of Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and former Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams, whose teams also came close to winning championships but fell just short.

Over the last four years, Arizona sports fans have felt the heartbreak of multiple championship losses. The first with the Suns in the NBA Finals in 2021. Then, the D-Backs in the World Series in 2023. Now, and still fresh, with the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals this season.

While fans debate game strategies and key moments that led to the losses, the trend appears to be an unfortunate coincidence.

Neither team was expected to make a deep run, especially the Mercury, who were projected to miss the playoffs entirely at the start of a rebuild without Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. However, they finished the regular season 27-17, eliminating the defending champions and title favorites in the playoffs.

The Diamondbacks slipped into the postseason on the last day of the season, sweeping two division champions and defeating a powerhouse in the Philadelphia Phillies. The Suns took the regular season by storm, going 51-21, and defying all preseason predictions.

Yet, all three teams came short of their ultimate goal.

Still, the impact of these runs has stretched far beyond the state. Each postseason appearance put a national spotlight on Arizona teams, highlighting organizational resilience and support from the Valley. The Mercury’s run in particular was a milestone moment for the WNBA, showcasing a well-executed rebuild.

So why is it happening? Why does the Valley keep getting close but not able to finish it out?

There’s no clear answer, but with heartbreak comes consolation. The Arizona sports market is no longer being overlooked. These teams are no longer just a team to opponents. Instead, they’ve grown into legitimate contenders.

Homegrown stars in the making, such as Monique Akoa Makani, Corbin Carroll and Devin Booker, made their presence felt during their respective playoff runs as young stars. Booker has helped lead the Suns to several more playoff appearances since, and there’s no doubt Akoa Makani and Carroll will do the same.

Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts’ reacts to the team’s WNBA Finals loss to the Las Vegas Aces.#WNBA #WNBAFinals pic.twitter.com/TUoWfrbYf1

— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) October 11, 2025

If these teams continue to put in the necessary work, a championship will soon come to the Valley of the Sun.

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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde

Swept and stunned, Phoenix Mercury fans react to beatdown in 2025 WNBA Finals