The Phoenix Mercury's Journey to the WNBA Finals: Unlocking the Power of Their Bench
The Phoenix Mercury's remarkable journey to the 2025 WNBA Finals began with a series of impressive wins over the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx. But their story doesn't end there. In the Finals, they faced the formidable Las Vegas Aces, who ultimately swept them to claim their third championship. This puts the Aces in elite company alongside the Mercury, the Detroit Shock, and the Los Angeles Sparks, each having won three championships. Only the Lynx, Houston Comets, and Seattle Storm have achieved more, with four championships each, the most recent being the Storm's victory in 2020.
The Mercury's success in 2025 was largely driven by their stellar lineup, featuring a dynamic trio. In 2024, they added Kahleah Copper, and before the season began, they brought in two new stars: Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. These players were instrumental in the team's triumph. Additionally, starters like Monique Akoa Makani and Natasha Mack made significant contributions.
However, it was Phoenix's bench that truly stood out. During the regular season, the Mercury's reserves led the league in scoring, averaging an impressive 25.5 points. Players like Sami Whitcomb played a crucial role, seamlessly transitioning between starting and reserve roles. Whitcomb's versatility was evident as she started in 20 games, filling in when Copper was sidelined by injury. When Copper returned, Whitcomb's impact as a bench player remained consistent, a testament to her adaptability.
The Mercury further strengthened their bench by signing DeWanna Bonner, who had an outstanding second game with the team, achieving a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Both Bonner and Whitcomb are seasoned champions, having won titles in 2009 and 2014 for Bonner, and 2018 and 2020 for Whitcomb. Their experience, combined with the talent of young players like Lexi Held, contributed to the Mercury's near-championship run.
The Mercury's bench proved their mettle during both the regular season and the playoffs, and this strength may be the key to their continued success in the upcoming season. Stay tuned to learn more about the Mercury's reserves by following us on X at [insert link].
