Revisiting the Mercury’s Clash with the Sparks
The Phoenix Mercury endured one of the roughest campaigns in franchise history during 2023, finishing with a 9-31 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012. That stretch came a year after Phoenix drafted Brittney Griner, a season that ended 7-27 and left the team reeling. In the wake of that downturn, Phoenix regrouped, fought through adversity, and earned a return to the postseason — a testament to resilience after a rocky period.
Phoenix opened 2023 with back-to-back defeats. In their season debut, they were outmatched by the Los Angeles Sparks, 94-71, followed by a 75-69 setback to the Chicago Sky. A win over the Minnesota Lynx in the next game, 90-81, offered a glimmer of hope as the Mercury found their footing.
Diana Taurasi shone in that opener, delivering 23 points, 10 assists, three rebounds, and a steal. Beyond Taurasi, four additional Mercury players reached double figures, underscoring the team’s balanced scoring. Brittney Griner contributed 19 points, eight boards, three blocks, and an assist, while Sug Sutton gave a productive bench performance with 14 points. Moriah Jefferson and Sophie Cunningham added 13 points each. That victory proved to be Phoenix’s lone win before a rough stretch that would see them lose the next three games.
The first loss after that victory came at the hands of the Sparks, yet there was something memorable about this matchup: it would turn out to be Phoenix’s only overtime contest of the season. Griner led the way with 24 points and 11 rebounds, joined by 19-point efforts from Cunningham and Taurasi. Off the bench, Sutton added 12 and Michaela Onyenwere 10, showcasing the Mercury’s depth. Despite a valiant fight, Phoenix fell 99-93 to the Sparks.
The team slipped in two more games before snapping the skid with a narrow win over the Indiana Fever, 85-82, as Griner poured in 29 points. The 2023 season presented substantial hurdles, but Phoenix continued to string together moments of excellence that demonstrated what they were capable of at their best.
For deeper insights into Phoenix’s 2023 arc and the steps they took to rebound, follow our updates on X here: https://x.com/MercuryOnSI
