PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury will start their season without one of their key contributors, who could miss about 4 to 6 weeks.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb will undergo an arthroscopy on Thursday to remove a loose body in her left knee. She will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
(via Mercury press release)
— PHNX Mercury (@PHNX_Mercury) May 6, 2026
According to PHNX, Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb will undergo an arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body in her left knee. This will put her out of action for at least a month, leaving the Mercury with one less veteran to start the year. It’s a similar procedure that fellow teammate Kahleah Copper had to follow at the start of last season.
The veteran guard played in both of the club’s preseason games, averaging 7.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
Aug 26, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) is defended by Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Vanloo (35) as she drives down court in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Whitcomb’s absence will no doubt be felt, as she’s known for her perimeter shooting and steady presence. With no clear timetable for her return, it will leave a gap in both the scoring depth and experience when starting the season.
The impact goes just beyond her numbers, but also her role as a momentum shifter for the club. Her timely 3-point shooting and decision-making are crucial coming off the bench, and her ability to space the floor often opens opportunities for her teammates, making her role that much more important outside of the box score.
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) watches her 3-point shot during their WNBA semifinal playoff game against the Minnesota Lynx at PHX Arena on Sept. 28, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The early-season stretch is critical for any team looking to establish rhythm and standings, and with other key pieces still away from Phoenix and not returning in time for the start of the WNBA season, a slow start would hit them hard. Without Whitcomb, younger players may be asked to take on larger roles too early.
There is also the issue of continuity. Teams rely on chemistry developed over time, and Whitcomb was one of six current players who returned from last year’s team. Missing a key rotation player could disrupt that process and create a need for adjustments.
Jul 9, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) reacts against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Still, these procedures typically don’t take too long for players to bounce back from, and Whitcomb won’t miss a large part of the season because of it.
However, there will be a close eye on how the Mercury respond after losing Whitcomb and test their depth early on, in a similar spot where the club was just a year ago.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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