PHOENIX — For a club that looked ready to carry its Finals magic into the 2026 season, the past two weeks have made it difficult for the Phoenix Mercury to find consistency.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!WNBA Power Rankings: There’s a new No. 1, plus significant jumps from Indiana, Los Angeles and Portland, and big falls from New York, Chicago and Phoenix. https://t.co/PVSee5govy
— ESPN Women’s Hoops (@ESPN_WomenHoop) May 26, 2026
After slipping from No. 4 to No. 8 in last week’s ESPN power rankings, Phoenix continued its fall this week — landing at No. 14 amid a 2-5 start and a three-game losing streak. The slide includes losses to the Toronto Tempo and Los Angeles Sparks before Sunday’s collapse in Atlanta, where the club squandered an eight-point fourth-quarter lead in an 82-80 loss.
Defense has been the main area of concern so far this season, with head coach Nate Tibbetts and star Alyssa Thomas both pointing to it as the reason the team has struggled to close out games. Tibbetts has even acknowledged that he’s not quite sure what Phoenix’s identity is just yet. That uncertainty has become just as troubling as the losses themselves.
Still, the drop in the rankings could ultimately serve as something valuable for Phoenix: perspective.
May 24, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) passes the ball against Phoenix Mercury guard-forward Kahleah Copper (2) and forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the first quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The Mercury entered the season with renewed optimism after an aggressive offseason that brought back many of last year’s players while adding international and undrafted talent. On paper, the pieces appeared to fit. The talent is there, but this latest stretch has reinforced that building chemistry and establishing consistency takes time — especially for a roster that still has not had all of its players available.
Reinforcements are also on the way, with Monique Akoa-Makani already back with the Mercury and appearing close to making her season debut during this three-game road trip. Sami Whitcimb, coming off an arthroscopic surgery, will soon be reevaluated in early June and could make a comeback in time for the second quarter of the season.
May 24, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) dribbles the ball down the court against the Atlanta Dream during the third quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Their athleticism and defensive energy could provide a needed spark for a team searching for stability.
The next two games come against the New York Liberty, one of the league’s most talented teams despite recent struggles of their own. Those matchups — and the weeks ahead — could reveal whether this was simply an early stumble or a sign of deeper issues still needing to be addressed.
May 24, 2026; College Park, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward-guard DeWanna Bonner (24) shoots the ball against Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) during the fourth quarter at Gateway Center Arena at College Park. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
The Mercury take on the Liberty on Wednesday, May 27, at 4 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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