Phoenix Mercury's New Additions Shine With Playmaking

Newcomers Leilani Mitchell, Danielle Robinson, and Stephanie Talbot lead the way in assists for the WNBA team.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 12:03pm

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The Phoenix Mercury had a successful 2017 season, making the playoffs with an 18-16 record. While the team was known for its scoring, its playmaking also stood out, led by new additions Leilani Mitchell, Danielle Robinson, and Stephanie Talbot. Mitchell finished the season with a team-high 121 assists, while Robinson had 110 assists in her first year with the team. Even rookie Talbot made an impact, dishing out 55 assists. The Mercury's veteran star Diana Taurasi was third on the team in assists with 83.

Why it matters

The Mercury's ability to share the ball and get their new players involved was a key factor in the team's playoff run. It shows the team's depth and willingness to incorporate fresh talent, which will be important as they look to build on this success in future seasons.

The details

Leilani Mitchell led the Mercury in assists with 121, including a season-high 8 in a close loss to the Connecticut Sun. Danielle Robinson, in her first year with the team, was second with 110 assists and had 9 assists in the season opener against the Dallas Wings. Rookie Stephanie Talbot made an impact with 55 assists, including a 4-assist game against the Washington Mystics. Even the veteran Diana Taurasi contributed 83 assists, including 7 in a close win over the Wings.

  • The Mercury finished the 2017 season with an 18-16 record.
  • Leilani Mitchell had a season-high 8 assists in a loss to the Connecticut Sun.
  • Danielle Robinson had 9 assists in the Mercury's season-opening loss to the Dallas Wings.
  • Stephanie Talbot dished out 4 assists in a game against the Washington Mystics.
  • Diana Taurasi recorded 7 assists in the Mercury's one-point win over the Dallas Wings.

The players

Leilani Mitchell

A veteran guard who was drafted by the Mercury in the past, played for the New York Liberty and Washington Mystics before returning to Phoenix, where she led the team with 121 assists.

Danielle Robinson

A new addition to the Mercury in 2017, she averaged 6.9 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals, and was second on the team with 110 assists.

Stephanie Talbot

A rookie draft pick of the Mercury in 2017, she made an impact with 55 assists, including a 4-assist game against the Washington Mystics.

Diana Taurasi

The veteran star of the Mercury, she contributed 83 assists, including 7 in a close win over the Dallas Wings.

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What they’re saying

“Leilani Mitchell was the leader, and she finished the season with a total of 121 assists. She had her season high in a game against the Sun. She dished out eight assists, and the Mercury lost that game by a point.”

— Davion Moore, Author

“Danielle Robinson had 110 assists that season. She joined the Mercury that year, and she averaged 6.9 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Robinson got off to a hot start, as she had nine assists in the Mercury's first game of the season.”

— Davion Moore, Author

“Stephanie Talbot was the Mercury's draft pick that year, and her season high in assists was four. She had it against the Mystics.”

— Davion Moore, Author

The takeaway

The Mercury's ability to share the ball and get their new players involved was a key factor in the team's playoff run. It shows the team's depth and willingness to incorporate fresh talent, which will be important as they look to build on this success in future seasons.