Phoenix Mercury Defeat Seattle Storm in 2017 Season Series

The Mercury won the season series 2-1 against their Western Conference rival

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Seattle Storm 2-1 in their 2017 season series, winning the first and third games. In the first matchup, Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi led the Mercury to an 85-82 road victory. The Storm evened the series with a 98-89 win at home, but the Mercury clinched the series with a 75-71 road win in the final game, led by Griner's 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks.

Why it matters

The Mercury’s wins over the Storm, a fellow Western Conference team, were important for their playoff positioning and conference standings throughout the 2017 WNBA season.

The details

In the first game, Griner and Taurasi each scored 25 points to lead the Mercury to an 85-82 road win over the Storm. Griner also contributed 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block. The Storm responded with a 98-89 home win in the second game, led by 20 points each from Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird. But the Mercury clinched the series with a 75-71 road win in the final matchup, behind Griner’s dominant 29-point, 8-rebound, 5-block performance.

  • The Mercury won the first game 85-82 on the road.
  • The Storm evened the series with a 98-89 home win.
  • The Mercury won the final game 75-71 on the road to clinch the 2-1 season series.

The players

Brittney Griner

A star center for the Phoenix Mercury who had dominant performances in the season series against the Storm, including a 29-point, 8-rebound, 5-block game in the final matchup.

Diana Taurasi

A veteran guard for the Phoenix Mercury who was a key contributor in the team’s wins over the Storm, scoring 25 points in the first game and 18 in the final matchup.

Breanna Stewart

A star forward for the Seattle Storm who scored 20 points in the team’s win over the Mercury.

Sue Bird

A veteran guard for the Seattle Storm who also scored 20 points in the team’s win over the Mercury.

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What they’re saying

“We knew this was going to be a tough series against a great team like the Storm, but our players stepped up when it mattered most.”

— Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury Center (Mercury On SI)

What’s next

The Mercury will look to build on their success against the Storm as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference.

The takeaway

The Mercury’s ability to win the season series against a fellow Western Conference contender like the Storm demonstrates their depth and resilience, and positions them well for a potential postseason run.