WNBA team season
The 2023 Phoenix Mercury season was the 26th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association , and the second season under head coach Vanessa Nygaard .
In October 2022, Skylar Diggins-Smith announced on Instagram that she was pregnant with her second child.[ 1]
On December 8, 2022, Brittney Griner was successfully returned to the United States of America after the Brittney Griner–Viktor Bout prisoner exchange went through without issues. By extension, Griner returned to action with the Mercury and the WNBA after missing the entire 2022 WNBA season due to her being arrested and imprisoned in Russia (a place she had previously played in for years during the WNBA's offseasons by playing with the UMMC Ekaterinburg without prior issue) for medical cannabis , which is considered an illegal substance there. The Mercury later re-signed Griner to a new deal on February 17, 2023.
On December 20, 2022, Mercury team owner Robert Sarver agreed to a deal made by a new ownership group led by United Wholesale Mortgage 's CEO Mat Ishbia and his older brother Justin Ishbia where Sarver would sell his majority shares of both the Mercury and Phoenix Suns to them under a joint deal worth a record-high $4 billion.[ 2] National Basketball Association revealed some ugly, disgusting behaviors he had throughout his ownership periods with both the Suns and Mercury, though primarily with the Suns.[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] 2023 WNBA season until September 13, 2023; he had since disputed that suspension claim during that season because of his lack of team ownership.
The Mercury began the season with two losses, but won their third game to finish 1–2 in May. The team continued with its sluggish start losing their first three games in June. After a single win, the team went on a six game losing streak and finishing the month with a 2–9 record Their only two wins in the month came against Indiana . In July the team fared slightly better, losing three straight games before winning three of four. However, the team lost its final three games of the month to finish 3–7. The Mercury showed improvement in August winning three of their first five games. However, that improvement didn't last, as they lost seven straight games to end the month. During their seven game losing streak, a 77–74 loss to the Dallas Wings eliminated the Mercury from playoff contention for the first time since 2012 , and ended the longest active playoff streak in the WNBA at 10 straight years. Their losing streak continued as the Mercury lost all four games in September to finish 9–31 and ended the season on an eleven game losing streak. This was only the third season in Mercury history where they finished with single-digit wins, and their .225 winning percentage was the second lowest in franchise history. Their 31 losses were the most in a season in franchise history, though it was the first season the WNBA used a forty game schedule. During this season, it was announced that long-time general manager Jim Pitman (who held his position with the Mercury since October 2013 following Jason Rowley 's brief stint there) would resign from his position following the end of this season, being replaced by former Golden State Warriors special assistant and executive Nick U'Ren entering the next season.
Date
Transaction
January 6, 2023
Hired Monica Wright-Rogers as Assistant General Manager[ 9]
January 12, 2023
Extended Qualifying Offers to Sophie Cunningham , Megan Gustafson , Shey Peddy , and Sam Thomas [ 10]
February 2, 2023
Signed Sam Thomas to a Qualifying Offer - Training Camp Contract
February 3, 2023
Signed Sophie Cunningham to a 2-Year Deal[ 11]
Signed Megan Gustafson to a Training Camp Contract[ 12]
February 6, 2023
Signed Sydney Wiese and Jennie Simms to Training Camp Contracts[ 13] [ 14]
February 11, 2023
Acquired Michaela Onyenwere , a 2024 Third-Round Pick (from Chicago ), and a 2025 Second-Round Pick (from Chicago ) in a 4-Team Trade involving the Chicago Sky , Dallas Wings , and the New York Liberty [ 15]
February 13, 2023
Signed Moriah Jefferson [ 16]
February 17, 2023
Signed Diana Taurasi to a 2-Year Deal[ 17]
Signed Brittney Griner [ 18]
Signed Shey Peddy to a Training Camp Contract[ 19]
February 28, 2023
Signed Sug Sutton to a Training Camp Contract
March 2, 2023
Signed Destiny Slocum to a Training Camp Contract[ 20]
March 3, 2023
Hired Tully Bevilaqua as Assistant Coach[ 21]
March 27, 2023
Signed Kylee Shook to a Training Camp Contract
April 11, 2023
Signed Essence Booker to a Training Camp Contract[ 22]
April 12, 2023
Signed Destiny Harden, Kadi Sissoko , and Liz Dixon to Training Camp Contracts
April 21, 2023
Hired Taja Edwards as Assistant Coach[ 23]
April 27, 2023
Waived Sydney Wiese
May 5, 2023
Waived Destiny Harden
May 8, 2023
Waived Kylee Shook
May 10, 2023
Waived Essence Booker
May 13, 2023
Waived Liz Dixon and Destiny Slocum
May 15, 2023
Exercised 4th-Year Team Option on Michaela Onyenwere
May 16, 2023
Waived Jennie Simms and Sam Thomas
May 18, 2023
Placed Skylar Diggins-Smith on the Inactive List due to Pregnancy/Child-Birth
May 19, 2023
Signed Liz Dixon to a Hardship Contract[ 24]
May 21, 2023
Released Liz Dixon from her Hardship Contract
June 21, 2023
Signed Sam Thomas to a Hardship Contract[ 25]
June 22, 2023
Waived Evina Westbrook [ 26]
Signed Jennie Simms to a Hardship Contract[ 26]
June 24, 2023
Released Sam Thomas from the Hardship Contract
June 25, 2023
Fired Head Coach Vanessa Nygaard and named Nikki Blue as Interim Head Coach[ 27]
June 27, 2023
Signed Alaina Coates to a Hardship Contract[ 28]
June 29, 2023
Released Alaina Coates from the Hardship Contract
June 30, 2023
Hired Charli Turner Thorne as an Assistant Coach[ 29]
July 10, 2023
Hired Nick U'Ren as General Manager[ 30]
July 20, 2023
Waived Jennie Simms [ 31]
Signed Liz Dixon to a 7-Day Contract[ 31]
July 29, 2023
Signed Liz Dixon to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
August 7, 2023
Signed Destanni Henderson to a 7-Day Contract
August 14, 2023
Signed Destanni Henderson to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
August 17, 2023
Signed Liz Dixon to a 3rd 7-Day Contract
August 18, 2023
Signed Ashley Joens to a 7-Day Contract
August 20, 2023
Released Ashley Joens
August 21, 2023
Signed Ashley Joens to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
August 22, 2023
Signed Madi Williams to a 7-Day Contract[ 32]
August 29, 2023
Signed Ashley Joens tot a 3rd 7-Day Contract
Signed Madi Williams to a 2nd 7-Day Contract
September 5, 2023
Signed Ashley Joens to a Hardship Contract
September 7, 2023
Signed Christyn Williams to a Hardship Contract[ 33]
2023 Phoenix Mercury roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
#
Nat.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB From
Yrs
G 9
Cunningham, Sophie
6' 1" (1.85m)
170 lb (77kg)
1996-08-16
Missouri
4
G 4
Diggins-Smith, Skylar (Maternity Leave)
5' 9" (1.75m)
145 lb (66kg)
1990-08-02
Notre Dame
9
C 42
Griner, Brittney
6' 9" (2.06m)
205 lb (93kg)
1990-10-18
Baylor
9
C 10
Gustafson, Megan
6' 3" (1.91m)
195 lb (88kg)
12-13-1996
Iowa
4
G 8
Jefferson, Moriah
5' 6" (1.68m)
123 lb (56kg)
1994-03-08
Connecticut
6
G 23
Joens, Ashley
6' 0" (1.83m)
160 lb (73kg)
03-16-2000
Iowa State
R
F 12
Onyenwere, Michaela
6' 0" (1.83m)
178 lb (81kg)
1999-08-10
UCLA
2
G 11
Peddy, Shey
5' 7" (1.7m)
145 lb (66kg)
10-28-1988
Temple
4
F 30
Sissoko, Kadi
6' 2" (1.88m)
165 lb (75kg)
01-25-1999
USC
R
G 1
Sutton, Sug
5' 8" (1.73m)
140 lb (64kg)
12-17-1998
Texas
1
G/F 3
Taurasi, Diana
6' 0" (1.83m)
163 lb (74kg)
1982-06-11
Connecticut
18
F 21
Turner, Brianna
6' 3" (1.91m)
170 lb (77kg)
1996-07-05
Notre Dame
4
G/F 25
Williams, Madi
5' 11" (1.8m)
164 lb (74kg)
1999-10-29
Oklahoma
R
Head coach
Nikki Blue (UCLA )Assistant coaches
Tully Bevilaqua Fresno State )Charli Turner Thorne (Stanford )Athletic trainer
Boston University )Strength and conditioning coach
Iowa Wesleyan )Legend (C) Team captain(FA) Free agent(IN) Inactive(S) Suspended
2023 game log
May: 1–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 0–1)
June
: 2–9 (Home: 1–4; Road: 1–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
4
June 2
Los Angeles
L 93–99 (OT)
Brittney Griner (24)
Brittney Griner (11)
Sug Sutton (6)
Footprint Center 1–3
5
June 7
@ Dallas
L 79–84
Brittney Griner (24)
Diana Taurasi (6)
Diana Taurasi (7)
College Park Center 1–4
6
June 9
@ Dallas
L 77–90
Brittney Griner (18)
Brianna Turner (8)
Sug Sutton (9)
College Park Center 1–5
7
June 11
@ Indiana
W 85–82
Brittney Griner (29)
Michaela Onyenwere (12)
Sutton Taurasi (7)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse 2–5
8
June 13
Seattle
L 69–83
Sophie Cunningham (21)
Brianna Turner (10)
Shey Peddy (7)
Footprint Center 2–6
9
June 16
@ Washington
L 69–88
Michaela Onyenwere (20)
Michaela Onyenwere (9)
Sug Sutton (8)
Entertainment and Sports Arena 2–7
10
June 18
@ New York
L 71–89
Sophie Cunningham (27)
Megan Gustafson (7)
Sug Sutton (9)
Barclays Center 2–8
11
June 21
Las Vegas
L 79–99
Sug Sutton (21)
Megan Gustafson (10)
Sophie Cunningham (6)
Footprint Center 2–9
12
June 24
@ Seattle
L 74–97
Moriah Jefferson (18)
Brittney Griner (6)
Sug Sutton (7)
Climate Pledge Arena 2–10
13
June 27
Dallas
L 62–77
Brittney Griner (20)
Brianna Turner (7)
Jefferson Sutton (4)
Footprint Center 2–11
14
June 29
Indiana
W 85–63
Brittney Griner (22)
Michaela Onyenwere (7)
Diana Taurasi (6)
Footprint Center 3–11
July
: 3–7 (Home: 3–1; Road: 0–6)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
15
July 1
Minnesota
L 76–86
Brittney Griner (23)
Brianna Turner (13)
Moriah Jefferson (7)
Footprint Center 3–12
16
July 5
@ New York
L 95–99
Diana Taurasi (23)
Brittney Griner (8)
Diana Taurasi (7)
Barclays Center 3–13
17
July 7
@ Minnesota
L 64–75
Michaela Onyenwere (24)
Griner Turner (8)
Sug Sutton (10)
Target Center 3–14
18
July 9
Los Angeles
W 78–72
Brittney Griner (29)
Brittney Griner (11)
Moriah Jefferson (8)
Footprint Center 4–14
19
July 11
@ Las Vegas
L 72–98
Michaela Onyenwere (18)
Brianna Turner (9)
Diana Taurasi (6)
Michelob Ultra Arena 4–15
20
July 18
Connecticut
W 72–66
Sophie Cunningham (17)
Brianna Turner (8)
Brittney Griner (5)
Footprint Center 5–15
21
July 20
Chicago
W 80–62
Shey Peddy (20)
Brittney Griner (11)
Sophie Cunningham (7)
Footprint Center 6–15
22
July 23
@ Washington
L 69–84
Sophie Cunningham (17)
Cunningham Turner (6)
Sug Sutton (6)
Entertainment and Sports Arena 6–16
23
July 25
@ Atlanta
L 65–78
Megan Gustafson (19)
Megan Gustafson (8)
Jefferson Sutton (3)
Gateway Center Arena 6–17
24
July 30
@ Chicago
L 85–104
Diana Taurasi (24)
Megan Gustafson (8)
Moriah Jefferson (7)
Wintrust Arena 6–18
August
: 3–9 (Home: 3–4; Road: 0–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location
Record
25
August 1
@ Indiana
L 71–72
Diana Taurasi (29)
Brianna Turner (8)
Moriah Jefferson (4)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse 6–19
26
August 3
Atlanta
W 91–71
Diana Taurasi (42)
Gustafson Turner (8)
Moriah Jefferson (4)
Footprint Center 7–19
27
August 5
Seattle
L 91–97
Diana Taurasi (28)
Brittney Griner (6)
Sug Sutton (8)
Footprint Center 7–20
28
August 8
Washington
W 91–72
Jefferson Taurasi (15)
Brianna Turner (8)
Cunningham Jefferson Sutton Taurasi (4)
Footprint Center 8–20
29
August 10
Connecticut
W 90–84
Brittney Griner (21)
Brittney Griner (10)
Jefferson Taurasi (5)
Footprint Center 9–20
30
August 13
@ Seattle
L 71–81
Sophie Cunningham (25)
Brittney Griner (10)
Diana Taurasi (7)
Climate Pledge Arena 9–21
31
August 18
New York
L 63–85
Cunningham Taurasi (14)
Brianna Turner (8)
Moriah Jefferson (7)
Footprint Center 9–22
32
August 20
Indiana
L 73–83
Sophie Cunningham (18)
Brianna Turner (9)
Jefferson Taurasi (3)
Footprint Center 9–23
33
August 22
@ Los Angeles
L 62–91
Sophie Cunningham (16)
Megan Gustafson (8)
Sophie Cunningham (6)
Crypto.com Arena 9–24
34
August 27
Dallas
L 74–77
Moriah Jefferson (20)
Brianna Turner (10)
Moriah Jefferson (5)
Footprint Center 9–25
35
August 29
@ Atlanta
L 76–94
Sug Sutton (20)
Brittney Griner (6)
Moriah Jefferson (9)
Gateway Center Arena 9–26
36
August 31
@ Connecticut
L 74–84
Brittney Griner (15)
Turner Sutton (6)
Sug Sutton (6)
Mohegan Sun Arena 9–27
September
: 0–4 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–2)
2023 season schedule
Notes
(#) x – Clinched playoff berthe – Eliminated from postseason contentionSource: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings ‡ Waived/Released during the season
† Traded during the season
≠ Acquired during the season
^ Gonzalez, Isabel (October 17, 2022). "Phoenix Mercury star Skylar Diggins-Smith announces pregnancy" . CBS Sports . Retrieved November 20, 2022 . ^ "Ishbia agrees to Suns purchase for record $4B" . ESPN.com . December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 27, 2022 .^ "NBA statement about independent investigation regarding Robert Sarver and the Phoenix Suns organization" . NBA.com: NBA Communications . September 13, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022 .^ "Suns' owner Sarver suspended from NBA/WNBA for one year, fined $10 million" . sports.yahoo.com . Retrieved September 19, 2022 .^ "NBA approves sale of Suns, Mercury to Ishbia" . ESPN.com . February 7, 2023.^ "Sources: Mat Ishbia's purchase of Suns, Mercury to be official soon" . espn.com . January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023 .^ Sports, Arizona (February 7, 2023). "Mat Ishbia's purchase of Phoenix Suns approved by NBA vote" . Arizona Sports . ^ "MAT ISHBIA ASSUMES CONTROLLING OWNERSHIP INTEREST OF PHOENIX SUNS AND PHOENIX MERCURY" . www.nba.com .^ "PHOENIX MERCURY NAME MONICA WRIGHT ROGERS AS ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved January 7, 2023 .^ @RachGall (January 12, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury extended Qualifying Offers to Sam Thomas, Shey Peddy, Megan Gustafson and Sophie Cunningham. @Winsidr" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "SPICY SOPHIE RETURNS! MERCURY RE-SIGNS SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023 .^ "Mercury Signs Madi Williams to Hardship Contract" . oursportscentral.com . Our Sports Central. Retrieved August 24, 2023 .^ "MERCURY RE-SIGNS GUSTAFSON, SIMMS, THOMAS" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023 .^ "MERCURY SIGNS SYDNEY WIESE" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023 .^ "Chicago Sky Acquires Marina Mabrey in Four-Team Trade" . sky.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 12, 2023 .^ "MERCURY SIGNS MORIAH JEFFERSON" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .^ "RETURN OF THE GOAT! TAURASI RE-SIGNS WITH MERCURY" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023 .^ "MERCURY RE-SIGN BRITTNEY GRINER" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved February 22, 2023 .^ "PHOENIX MERCURY RE-SIGN GUARD SHEY PEDDY" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved March 9, 2023 .^ "MERCURY ADDS SLOCUM, SUTTON TO TRAINING CAMP ROSTER" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved March 9, 2023 .^ "MERCURY ADDS 14-YEAR WNBA VETERAN TULLY BEVILAQUA TO STAFF" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved March 28, 2023 .^ "WNBA's Mercury Sign Booker To Training Camp Contract" . unlvrebels.com . UNLV Rebels. April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023 .^ "Phoenix Mercury adds Taja Edwards to coaching staff" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved April 22, 2023 .^ @eliavgabay (May 19, 2023). "UPDATE: Forward Liz Dixon has been added to the opening night roster on a player replacement contract. @Sports360AZ" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @phoenixmercury (June 21, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury have signed forward Sam Thomas to an injury replacement contract ahead of today's matchup against the Las Vegas Aces" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ a b @phoenixmercury (June 22, 2023). "Roster Update: The Phoenix Mercury has signed guard Jennie Simms and waived guard Evina Westbrook, the team announced today" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ Merchant, Sabreena. "Phoenix Mercury fire coach Vanessa Nygaard after 2-10 start to season: What went wrong?" . theathletic.com . The Athletic. Retrieved June 26, 2023 . ^ @phoenixmercury (June 27, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury announced today the signing of center Alaina Coates to a hardship contract" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ @phoenixmercury (June 30, 2023). "An Arizona Women's Basketball icon is taking a seat on our bench. Legendary @SunDevilWBB Coach Charli Turner Thorne joins the Phoenix Mercury as an Assistant Coach on Nikki Blue's staff!" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ "MERCURY NAMES NICK U'REN GENERAL MANAGER; JIM PITMAN TO RETIRE FROM ROLE AT CONCLUSION OF 2023 SEASON" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA. Retrieved July 13, 2023 .^ a b @phoenixmercury (July 20, 2023). "The Phoenix Mercury has signed forward Liz Dixon to a seven-day contract and waived guard Jennie Simms, the team announced today" (Tweet ) – via Twitter . ^ Yapkowitz, David. "Mercury add former Oklahoma star amid Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi absences" . clutchpoints.com . Clutch Points. Retrieved August 25, 2023 . ^ Yapkowitz, David. "Mercury add former UConn star amid elimination from playoff contention" . clutchpoints.com . Clutch Points. Retrieved September 24, 2023 . ^ M.A. Voepel (June 25, 2023). "Brittney Griner, Aliyah Boston named WNBA All-Star starters" . ESPN . Retrieved June 23, 2023 .^ "DIANA TAURASI NAMED WESTERN CONFERENECE PLAYER OF THE WEEK" . mercury.wnba.com . WNBA . August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023 .
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