Friday’s matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx will always be remembered for Kahleah Copper’s late-game heroics. She put on a show for a sold-out crowd at the Footprint Center, and sent the fans home happy with a closing masterclass. However, the returns of Brittney Griner and Bec Allen back into Phoenix’s lineup gave the Mercury an extra spark they so desperately craved.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Coming into this game, the Mercury were losers in five of their last six games, including a 24-point loss in Minnesota. Now, eight days later, Phoenix gets its revenge on Minnesota in The Valley, backed by the contributions of Griner and Allen. Griner was out for all of Phoenix’s ten games leading up to Friday, while Allen was out for five games due to concussion protocol.
LISTEN TO THE X-FACTOR! pic.twitter.com/OIGvq3zfHM
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 8, 2024
“I think our best basketball is ahead of us,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “What Bec Allen and Brittney Griner give us defensively is just that length and size. Bec in the first quarter probably had four to six deflections. And then Griner at the rim, they finished with 18-points in the paint. I don’t know how many they had last game against us, but it felt like 50.”
Both Allen and Griner are crucial defensive pieces in Phoenix’s unit. Allen’s defensive awareness and point-of-attack defense is a needed commodity in Phoenix’s starting five, while Griner’s size and rim protection gives the Mercury a game-changing defensive anchor.
Natasha Mack started at the five in Griner’s absence, and she exceeded expectations in a newfound role. However, standing at 6-foot-3, Phoenix was forced to play small for the majority of its games. Griner’s addition back into the lineup brings much needed size that could help propel Phoenix to new heights.
© Nicole Mullen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
“Even on the jump ball when she walked out there, I was like ‘Wow, we’re big again,'” Tibbetts said. “I haven’t seen her out there a lot, this is again new to me. But I looked at [Kristi Toliver] and was like ‘Alright, we’ve got our size back’, which was awesome.”
Tibbetts, a first-year head coach, has continuously mentioned how much Phoenix needs Griner healthy. Not just because of her all-world rim protection, but because of how she gives Phoenix more options offensively.
The Mercury are a team that likes to move the ball, and they live or die by the three in Tibbetts’ intricate offensive system. Without Griner, they had to play faster to maximize upon their smaller lineups. But with Griner back, Tibbetts can now change up looks and slow the game down with Griner’s post presence. In the process, this will open up the floodgates for the Mercury’s shooters to find openings and catch fire.
we've missed this two-man game! pic.twitter.com/NrLroA9kFM
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 8, 2024
“It’s huge, literally,” Copper said when talking about Griner’s impact. “Nobody’s going down there in the paint, that’s just not happening. And then offensively, it just opens up things for us. Nobody can guard her one-on-one on the block, and then you send the double and now we’ve got shooters spaced around her. We get it out, maybe we get a re-post. It does a lot for us.”
Despite being one of the only players on the team that isn’t a threat from long-range, Griner might be the most crucial part towards unlocking Tibbetts’ philosophy and maximizing its success.
Being out for the first 10 games of the Mercury’s season, Griner was itching to get back to the hardwood.
“It feels great,” Griner said following her return on Friday. “Just sitting back and watching my team hold it down and play, compete, I was just jumping at the bit to get out there. So it just feels good being back with my team, being able to contribute and be a part of it.”
© Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Griner is back and healthy for the Mercury, and with that, Allen’s return has completely flown under the radar. Allen scored nine points and collected four rebounds in 27 minutes of play on Friday, while recording two steals and one block. Allen is a lengthy, switchable defender who fills in all the gaps when on the floor. She’s got a quick trigger on her jumper, a quick first-step and can create from the mid-range off of a few dribbles.
Allen is one of the more important players for the Phoenix Mercury. Her and Sophie Cunningham share similar roles as do-it-all wings that can play multiple positions on the floor. Phoenix is a team that is stacked to the brim with star-power, but the presence of a wing like Allen is needed.
“Defensively she’s long, she can shoot, she can score,” Copper said regarding what Allen brings to the floor. “Having us at full strength tonight was great.”
Both Griner and Allen are set to suit up for the Phoenix Mercury once again as they get set to visit the Dallas Wings on Sunday.
Kahleah Copper makes history once again in Mercury’s win over Lynx
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
