Fielding miserable teams, the Mercury were never competitive. The team descended into turmoil after the season, as coach Miller left and the original core group of players broke up, via retirement or trades, and the team stopped being a playoff contender.įrom 2001 to 2004, the Mercury were at the bottom of the WNBA. In 2000, the Mercury finished 20–12, but got swept by the Los Angeles Sparks. In 1999, the Mercury missed the playoffs, posting a 15–17 record. In a hard-fought series, the Mercury fell 2 games to 1 to the defending champion Houston Comets. The Mercury defeated the Cleveland Rockers to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time. In 1998, the Mercury again qualified for the playoffs, posting a 19–11 record. The Mercury lost to the New York Liberty, though, in those playoffs. In the very first WNBA season, the Mercury posted a 16–12 record and reached the first WNBA playoffs. With a cast that included hall-of-famer Nancy Lieberman, and possible future hall-of-famers Michele Timms of Australia, and Jennifer Gillom, hyper-active star Bridget Pettis, and outspoken coach Cheryl Miller, the Mercury quickly established itself as a major franchise. Franchise history Mercury heating up (1997–1998) The team was among Robert Sarver's sports assets located in Arizona sold to the former college basketball player for the Michigan State Spartans during their championship in 2000. In February 2023, Mat Ishbia completed the acquisition of Phoenix Mercury. The franchise has been home to players such as former UConn Diana Taurasi, Rutgers grad Cappie Pondexter, former Temple power forward Candice Dupree, former Baylor center Brittney Griner, and Australian guard Penny Taylor. In 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2021 the Mercury went to the WNBA Finals they lost to Houston in 1998, but won the title in 2007, 2009, and 2014 over Detroit, Indiana, and Chicago respectively. The Mercury have qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in fifteen of its twenty-four years in Phoenix. One of eight original franchises, it was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began. Connecticut turned it over on the inbounds play and Jefferson sealed it with two free throws.The Phoenix Mercury are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). But Jefferson found an opening in the lane and scored with 19.3 seconds left for a four-point lead. After a Sun miss, Griner hit a baseline jumper to give Phoenix a five-point lead.įollowing a Phoenix miss, Rebecca Allen raced the other way for a fast-break layup to cut Connecticut’s deficit to 86-84 with 30.1 seconds left. Tiffany Hayes made a 3-pointer to get Connecticut within 82-81 but Jefferson answered with a jumper from the free-throw line. Rebecca Allen scored a season-high 24 points and Alyssa Thomas had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for Connecticut (21-8). Sophie Cunningham, who scored nine on three 3-pointers, reached 1,000 career points. Moriah Jefferson scored 17 points, and Diana Taurasi had 16 points and made four 3-pointers for Phoenix (9-20). DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut’s leading scorer, left with a back injury early in the first quarter and did not return.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |