PHOENIX — The Phoenix Mercury know exactly what’s holding them back early in the season, and head coach Nate Tibbetts and forward Alyssa Thomas aren’t shying away from it.
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May 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Tempo guard Kiki Rice (1) celebrates a shot against Phoenix Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Defense, the foundation of the franchise’s identity, hasn’t been to the standard Phoenix has prided itself on, especially late in games. After another narrow loss Tuesday to the Toronto Tempo, both Tibbetts and Thomas delivered blunt truths about where the club stands.
The Mercury have already dropped three games, two by slim margins, that could have gone the other way had Phoenix executed defensively in the closing minutes. Instead, defensive breakdowns have allowed opponents to capitalize late and escape with wins.
“For a team that takes pride in defense, we didn’t do what we needed to do tonight,” Tibbetts said postgame Tuesday, according to team media. “I think it’s just want-to and attention to detail. We didn’t have it tonight. We didn’t get matched up right, lack of focus — we looked like a poor defensive team tonight.”
May 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Tempo guard Lexi Held (12) shoots the ball against Phoenix Mercury center Kyara Linskens (31) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Mercury have spent the last year building their culture around toughness and discipline, especially on the defensive side. Even as the roster has evolved and key players have departed, Phoenix has viewed defense as the standard that drives winning. But this version of the team is still trying to establish that identity.
With adjustments and chemistry still developing early in the season, that cohesion hasn’t matched the expectations inside the organization. Through five games, the identity has flashed, but consistency hasn’t followed.
Thomas made it clear that urgency, even this early in the season, is growing.
May 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) defends against Toronto Tempo guard Marina Mabrey (3) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
“I think we are nowhere near where we need to be defensively,” Thomas said, according to team media. “It is going to be a long season if we don’t get it together on the defensive end. It shows that if you want to play on this team, you have to defend. It’s game five. We have to continue to clean it up and we have to work together.”
The Mercury have shown enough offensively to stay competitive. Still, until they consistently defend with the intensity expected of them, close-game losses could continue to be a problem as the season progresses.
Nate Tibbetts on what he needs to see from his group and sticking to the team’s principles.
“Collectively, we just got to decide to commit to the group and play as a team. And the number one thing is like ‘what is going to take to help the Mercury win’ and I don’t think we… pic.twitter.com/av4LBoQQOr
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) May 20, 2026
Luckily for Phoenix, it won’t have to wait long for a chance to respond. The Mercury face the Los Angeles Sparks on Thursday, looking to reestablish the defensive identity the franchise has long relied on. Turning close losses into wins will require a collective effort from the entire roster — not just scoring, assists and rebounds, but preventing opponents from going on runs in the closing minutes.
The Mercury will face the Sparks on Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m.
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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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