Mercury Redefine Core, Reach Finals After Taurasi, Griner Departures

Phoenix's new trio-led approach proves a resilient path forward after losing two franchise icons.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:35am

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A fragmented, multi-perspective painting in a cubist style, with the players' bodies and the basketball court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of purple, orange, red, and blue, conveying the dynamic energy of a WNBA game.A cubist interpretation of the intense on-court battle between the Phoenix Mercury and Atlanta Dream, with the players' forms fractured and abstracted to capture the dynamic energy of the game.Phoenix Today

The 2025 season was a case study in resilience, adaptation, and what happens when the Phoenix Mercury dynasty adjusts to life after icons Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Rather than chasing direct replacements, the Mercury leaned into developing a fresh backbone of Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper, who could share the load, complement each other's strengths, and grow through the grind of a demanding schedule. The result was a team that could punch above its weight and adapt mid-series, reaching the WNBA Finals despite the emotional tug-of-war of facing former star Griner and the Atlanta Dream.

Why it matters

The Mercury's journey shows how a franchise can honor its history while writing a new chapter, leaning into youth, empowering multi-faceted veterans, and embracing a narrative where success is measured by depth, cohesion, and the ability to evolve after a defining era ends. This blueprint offers a model for sustainable competitiveness that other teams should study.

The details

After Taurasi's retirement and Griner's move to Atlanta, the Mercury redefined their core identity, developing a fresh backbone of Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper who could share the load, complement each other's strengths, and grow through the grind. This trio-led approach proved more resilient and less predictable than relying on a single star, as the Mercury demonstrated the NBA-WNBA truth that investing in young leaders who can shift roles can create a more versatile, adaptable opponent.

  • The Mercury finished the 2025 season 27-17 and reached the WNBA Finals.
  • Brittney Griner returned to Phoenix as a member of the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 season.

The players

Satou Sabally

A key part of the Mercury's new trio-led approach, providing scoring punch and versatility.

Alyssa Thomas

A veteran leader who contributes floor-wide impact and helps the Mercury adapt mid-series.

Kahleah Copper

A versatile young player who complements Sabally and Thomas, allowing the Mercury to develop a more resilient, less predictable identity.

Brittney Griner

The former Mercury star who departed for the Atlanta Dream, creating an emotional tug-of-war when facing her former team.

Diana Taurasi

The Mercury icon whose retirement closed a chapter that had defined an era for the franchise.

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What’s next

The big question is how the Mercury will sustain momentum with their revamped core. Will Sabally, Copper, and Thomas continue to ascend into leadership roles, or will they require additional reinforcement to bridge gaps in sterner playoff environments?

The takeaway

The Mercury's journey shows how a franchise can honor its history while writing a new chapter, leaning into youth, empowering multi-faceted veterans, and embracing a narrative where success is measured by depth, cohesion, and the ability to evolve after a defining era ends. This blueprint offers a model for sustainable competitiveness that other teams should study.