2020 Phoenix Mercury season

{{Short description|23rd season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{WNBA season

| team = Phoenix Mercury

| year = 2020

| attendance = 0

| wins = 13

| losses = 9

| conf = Western

| conf_place = 5

| coach = Sandy Brondello

| arena = Originally: Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Rescheduled to: IMG Academy gymnasiums, Bradenton, Florida

| points = Diana Taurasi – 18.7 ppg

| rebounds = Brianna Turner – 9.0 rpg

| assists = Bria Hartley & Diana Taurasi – 4.5 apg

| playoffs = 5th Seed, Lost in Second Round to Minnesota Lynx

| television =

}}

The 2020 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season tipped off on July 25, 2020, versus the Los Angeles Sparks.{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/schedule/#?season=2020&seasontype=01|title=2020 Phoenix Mercury Schedule|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|accessdate=February 14, 2020}}

During the off-season, it was announced that Talking Stick Resort Arena would be undergoing renovations and the Mercury would be forced to play their home games at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the 2020 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.allaboutarizonanews.com/phoenix-mercury-change-in-home-court-for-2020-season/|title=Phoenix Mercury Change In Home Court For 2020 Season|publisher=All About Arizona News|date=July 25, 2019|accessdate=February 14, 2020}}

This WNBA season will feature an all-time high 36 regular-season games.{{cite web|url=https://dream.wnba.com/news/atlanta-dream-announce-2020-schedule/|title=Atlanta Dream Announce 2020 Schedule - Atlanta Dream|website=dream.wnba.com|accessdate=February 1, 2020}} However, the plan for expanded games was put on hold on April 3, when the WNBA postponed its season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news|date=2020-04-03|title=WNBA Statement Regarding the Start of the 2020 Regular Season|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-statement-regarding-the-start-of-the-2020-regular-season/|access-date=2020-04-03}} Under a plan approved on June 15, the league is scheduled to hold a shortened 22-game regular season at IMG Academy, without fans present, starting on July 24.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-15|title=WNBA Announces Plan To Tip Off 2020 Season|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-announces-plan-to-tip-off-2020-season/|access-date=2020-06-17|website=WNBA|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-06-15|title=WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/mystics/wnba-announces-plans-2020-season-start-late-july-florida|access-date=2020-06-15|website=NBC Sports Washington}}

The Mercury's season got off to a slow start, with the team losing its first two games. However, a four-game win streak followed and the Mercury were 4–2. The Mercury only won two of the next seven games and were just under .500. The team then won its next six games to secure a playoff spot. After losing two of their last three games, they qualified for the playoffs as the fifth overall seed.

As the fifth seed, the Mercury played the Washington Mystics in the First Round of the playoffs. The Mercury won that a nail-biter of a game 85–84, and advanced to the Second Round. They faced off against the fourth seeded Minnesota Lynx and were defeated in another close match, 79–80 to end their season.

Transactions

=WNBA draft=

{{see also|2020 WNBA draft}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

! style="{{WNBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="2%"| Round

! style="{{WNBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}};" width="5%"| Pick

! style="{{WNBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}};" width="10%"| Player

! style="{{WNBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}};" width="10%"| Nationality

! style="{{WNBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}};" width="10%"| School/Team/Country

1

| 10

| Jocelyn Willoughby

| {{USA}}

| Virginia

2

| 18

| Te'a Cooper

| {{USA}}

| Baylor

3

| 29

| Stella Johnson

| {{USA}}

| Rider

=Trades/Roster Changes=

class="wikitable" style="width:80%; text-align: center;"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width=125" |Date

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" colspan="2" |Details

February 11, 2020

| Traded F DeWanna Bonner to Connecticut in exchange for the 7th and 10th pick in the 2020 WNBA draft in addition to a first-round pick in the 2021 WNBA draft.{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/mercury-acquires-three-first-round-draft-picks-from-connecticut/|title=MERCURY ACQUIRES THREE FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS FROM CONNECTICUT|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=February 11, 2020|accessdate=February 14, 2020}}

February 12, 2020

| Traded the 5th and 7th pick in the 2020 WNBA draft in addition to a first-round pick in the 2021 WNBA draft to Dallas in exchange for Skylar Diggins-Smith.{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/mercury-welcomes-skylar-diggins-smith-to-the-valley/|title=Mercury Welcomes Skylar Diggins-Smith to The Valley|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=February 12, 2020|accessdate=February 14, 2020}}

rowspan=2 | February 13, 2020

| Re-signed C Brittney Griner{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/brittney-griner-continues-to-call-phoenix-home/|title=Brittney Griner Will Continue to Call The Valley home|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=February 13, 2020|accessdate=February 14, 2020}}

Signed G Bria Hartley{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2020/02/13/phoenix-mercury-sign-guard-bria-hartley-continue-roster-remake/4745165002/|title=Phoenix Mercury continue roster remake, signing guard Bria Hartley|publisher=USA Today|first=Jeff|last=Metcalfe|date=February 13, 2020|accessdate=February 19, 2020}}
February 19, 2020

| Acquired F Jessica Breland and F Nia Coffey in exchange for G Briann January, the 17th pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, and the team's second round pick in the 2021 WNBA draft{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/mercury-add-jessica-breland-and-nia-coffey-to-phoenix-family/|title=Breland, Coffey acquired from Atlanta in exchange for Briann January|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=February 19, 2020|accessdate=February 19, 2020}}

February 24, 2020

| Signed C Kia Vaughn{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/kia-vaughn-chooses-phoenix-in-free-agency/|title=Kia Vaughn Chooses Phoenix in Free Agency|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=February 24, 2020|accessdate=February 24, 2020}}

April 17, 2020

| Acquired G Shatori Walker-Kimbrough from New York in exchange for the draft rights to G/F Jocelyn Willoughby.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2020/04/17/mercury-pick-virginia-wing-jocelyn-willoughby-wnba-draft-first-round/5150594002/|title=Phoenix Mercury trade WNBA first-round draft pick for veteran Walker-Kimbrough|first=Jeff|last=Metcalfe|publisher=USA Today|date=April 17, 2020|accessdate=April 19, 2020}}

July 12, 2020

| F Jessica Breland medically excused for 2020 season.{{cite web|url=https://mercury.wnba.com/news/mercurys-breland-medically-excused-from-2020-season/|title=MERCURY'S BRELAND MEDICALLY EXCUSED FROM 2020 SEASON|website=mercury.wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=July 12, 2020|accessdate=July 13, 2020}}

Roster

{{sports roster

| team=Phoenix Mercury

| season = 2020

| style = WNBA

| players =

{{sports roster/entry | num = 51 | first = Jessica | last = Breland | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 2 | lbs = 166 | DOB = 1988-02-23 | yrs = 8 | college = North Carolina | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 10 | first = Nia | last = Coffey | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 182 | DOB = 1995-06-11 | yrs = 3 | college = Northwestern | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 9 | first = Sophie | last = Cunningham | dab = basketball | pos = G | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = 170 | DOB = 1996-08-16 | yrs = 1 | college = Missouri | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 4 | first = Skylar | last = Diggins-Smith | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 9 | lbs = 145 | DOB = 1990-08-02 | yrs = 6 | college = Notre Dame | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 42 | first = Brittney | last = Griner | pos = C | ft = 6 | in = 9 | lbs = 205 | DOB = 1990-10-18 | yrs = 7 | college = Baylor | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 14 | first = Bria | last = Hartley | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 8 | lbs = 148 | DOB = 1992-09-30 | yrs = 6 | college = Connecticut | nat = FRA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 12 | first = Alisia | last = Jenkins | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 1 | lbs = | DOB = 1994-02-21 | yrs = R | college = South Florida | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 5 | first = Shey | last = Peddy | pos = G | ft = 5 | in = 7 | lbs = 147 | DOB = 1988-10-28 | yrs = 1 | college = Temple | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 11 | first = Alanna | last = Smith | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 4 | lbs = 180 | DOB = 1996-09-10 | yrs = 1 | college = Stanford | nat = AUS}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 3 | first = Diana | last = Taurasi | pos = G-F | ft = 6 | in = 0 | lbs = 163 | DOB = 1982-06-11 | yrs = 15 | college = Connecticut | nat = USA }}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 21 | first = Brianna | last = Turner | pos = F | ft = 6 | in = 3 | lbs = 170 | DOB = 1996-07-05 | yrs = 1 | college = Notre Dame | nat = USA}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 1 | first = Kia| last = Vaughn | pos = C | ft =6 | in = 4 | lbs = 205 | DOB = 1987-01-24 | yrs = 10| college = Rutgers | nat = CZE}}

{{sports roster/entry | num = 2 | first = Shatori| last = Walker-Kimbrough | pos = G | ft =5 | in = 9 | lbs = 140 | DOB = 1995-05-18 | yrs = 3| college = Maryland | nat = USA}}

| head_coach =

{{sports roster/entry|nat=AUS| first = Sandy | last = Brondello| college = Western Sydney}}

| asst_coach =

{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Julie | last = Hairgrove | nolink = 1| college = Arizona}}

{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Chasity | last = Melvin| college = North Carolina State}}

| ath_train =

{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Hannah | last = Breck | nolink = 1| college = Boston University}}

| str_cond =

{{sports roster/entry|nat=USA| first = Derrick | last = Nillissen | nolink = 1| college = Iowa Wesleyan}}

}}

Game log

=Regular season=

{{WNBA game log start|Phoenix Mercury|end_year=2020|note=
Total: 13–9}}

{{WNBA game log section|Phoenix Mercury|July|first=yes

}}

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 1

| July 25

| Los Angeles Sparks

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200725/LASPHO/ L 76–99]

| Taurasi (16)

| Griner (9)

| Diggins-Smith (6)

| IMG Academy
0

| 0–1

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 2

| July 29

| Indiana Fever

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200729/PHOIND/ L 100–106]

| Hartley (26)

| Tied (7)

| Tied (5)

| IMG Academy
0

| 0–2

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 3

| July 31

| Las Vegas Aces

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200731/LVAPHO/ W 102–95]

| Tied (22)

| Turner (9)

| Taurasi (10)

| IMG Academy
0

| 1–2

{{WNBA game log section|Phoenix Mercury|August}}

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 4

| August 2

| New York Liberty

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200802/PHONYL/ W 96–67]

| Hartley (27)

| Turner (11)

| Taurasi (9)

| IMG Academy
0

| 2–2

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 5

| August 4

| Atlanta Dream

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200804/PHOATL/ W 81–74]

| Taurasi (20)

| Turner (7)

| Taurasi (6)

| IMG Academy
0

| 3–2

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 6

| August 6

| Chicago Sky

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200806/CHIPHO/ W 96–86]

| Tied (22)

| Griner (8)

| Taurasi (6)

| IMG Academy
0

| 4–2

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 7

| August 8

| Seattle Storm

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200808/PHOSEA/ L 68–74]

| Griner (20)

| Griner (8)

| Taurasi (5)

| IMG Academy
0

| 4–3

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 8

| August 10

| Dallas Wings

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200810/PHODAL/ W 91–79]

| Diggins-Smith (26)

| Griner (13)

| Diggins-Smith (7)

| IMG Academy
0

| 5–3

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 9

| August 12

| Chicago Sky

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200812/PHOCHI/ L 71–89]

| Tied (15)

| Griner (6)

| Diggins-Smith (4)

| IMG Academy
0

| 5–4

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 10

| August 14

| Atlanta Dream

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200814/ATLPHO/ W 96–80]

| Hartley (24)

| Griner (8)

| Hartley (5)

| IMG Academy
0

| 6–4

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 11

| August 16

| Dallas Wings

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200816/DALPHO/ L 89–95]

| Griner (29)

| Taurasi (9)

| Hartley (6)

| IMG Academy
0

| 6–5

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 12

| August 19

| Los Angeles Sparks

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200819/PHOLAS/ L 74–83]

| Taurasi (19)

| Turner (7)

| Hartley (9)

| IMG Academy
0

| 6–6

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 13

| August 21

| Minnesota Lynx

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200821/MINPHO/ L 80–90]

| Hartley (24)

| Turner (9)

| Hartley (5)

| IMG Academy
0

| 6–7

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 14

| August 23

| Washington Mystics

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200823/PHOWAS/ W 88–87]

| Taurasi (34)

| Turner (17)

| Hartley (5)

| IMG Academy
0

| 7–7

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 15

| August 28

| Washington Mystics

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200828/WASPHO/ W 94–72]

| Diggins-Smith (24)

| Smith (8)

| Taurasi (7)

| IMG Academy
0

| 8–7

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 16

| August 30

| Minnesota Lynx

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200830/PHOMIN/ W 83–79]

| Diggins-Smith (25)

| Turner (15)

| Peddy (5)

| IMG Academy
0

| 9–7

{{WNBA game log section|Phoenix Mercury|September}}

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 17

| September 1

| Las Vegas Aces

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200901/PHOLVA/ W 92–85]

| Taurasi (32)

| Turner (13)

| Tied (7)

| IMG Academy
0

| 10–7

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 18

| September 3

| Indiana Fever

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200903/INDPHO/ W 105–81]

| Diggins-Smith (28)

| Turner (12)

| Diggins-Smith (8)

| IMG Academy
0

| 11–7

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 19

| September 5

| New York Liberty

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200905/NYLPHO/ W 83–67]

| Diggins-Smith (30)

| Turner (13)

| Turner (4)

| IMG Academy
0

| 12–7

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 20

| September 7

| Connecticut Sun

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200907/CONPHO/ L 70–85]

| Taurasi (19)

| Turner (8)

| Diggins-Smith (6)

| IMG Academy
0

| 12–8

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 21

| September 9

| Connecticut Sun

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200909/PHOCON/ W 100–95]

| Diggins-Smith (33)

| Turner (21)

| Taurasi (7)

| IMG Academy
0

| 13–8

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 22

| September 11

| Seattle Storm

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200911/SEAPHO/#/box-score L 60–83]

| Walker-Kimbrough (24)

| Turner (11)

| Peddy (6)

| IMG Academy
0

| 13–9

{{WNBA game log end|phx|end_year=2020}}

= Playoffs =

{{WNBA game log start|Phoenix Mercury|playoffs=yes|end_year=2020|record=Total: 1–1}}

{{WNBA game log section|Phoenix Mercury|First Round|first=yes|playoffs=yes}}

|- style="background:#bbffbb;"

| 1

| September 15

| Washington Mystics

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200915/WASPHO/ W 85–84]

| Diggins-Smith (24)

| Turner (11)

| Taurasi (6)

| IMG Academy

| 1–0

{{WNBA game log section|Phoenix Mercury|Second Round|playoffs=yes}}

|- style="background:#fcc;"

| 1

| September 17

| Minnesota Lynx

| [https://www.wnba.com/game/20200917/PHOMIN/ 79–80]

| Taurasi (28)

| Turner (14)

| Taurasi (9)

| IMG Academy

| 0–1

{{WNBA game log end|PHX|playoffs=yes|end_year=2020}}

Standings

{{2020 WNBA standings|team=PHX}}

Playoffs

{{main|2020 WNBA Playoffs}}

{{trim|{{#section-h:2020 WNBA Playoffs|Bracket}}}}

Statistics

{{WNBA roster statistics legend}}

=Regular season=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="16%" | Player

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | GP

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | GS

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | MPG

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | FG%

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | 3P%

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | FT%

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | RPG

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="5%" | APG

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | SPG

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | BPG

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="6%" | PPG

Diana Taurasi

| 19

| 19

| 28.1

| 40.9

| 36.5

| 91.2

| 4.2

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 4.5

| 1.0

| 0.4

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 18.7

Brittney Griner

| 12

| 12

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 31.8

| 49.7

| 0

| 80.9

| 7.5

| 3.0

| 0.3

| 1.8

| 17.7

Skylar Diggins-Smith

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 22

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 22

| 30.7

| 47.4

| 39.7

| 90.0

| 3.3

| 4.2

| 0.9

| 0.5

| 17.7

Bria Hartley

| 13

| 3

| 24.8

| 42.0

| 38.5

| 80.5

| 2.9

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 4.5

| 1.2

| 0

| 14.6

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough

| 21

| 10

| 19.0

| 42.9

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 43.1

| 92.0

| 1.6

| 1.5

| 1.1

| 0.4

| 7.3

Brianna Turner

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 22

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 22

| 27.9

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 57.9

| 0

| 64.3

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 9.0

| 1.8

| 1.1

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 2.0

| 7.2

Kia Vaughn

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 22

| 10

| 18.9

| 48.8

| 0

| 57.9

| 3.6

| 1.5

| 0.5

| 0.3

| 6.1

Alanna Smith

| 19

| 0

| 15.6

| 42.2

| 23.3

| 69.0

| 3.6

| 1.2

| 0.3

| 0.8

| 6.1

Sophie Cunningham

| 21

| 11

| 18.9

| 38.5

| 23.5

| 88.0

| 1.0

| 0.8

| 0.5

| 0.1

| 5.0

Shey Peddy

| 8

| 0

| 17.6

| 29.4

| 10.5

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 100

| 3.0

| 2.4

| style="background:#D3D3D3;" | 1.5

| 0.1

| 4.0

Alisia Jenkins

| 2

| 0

| 11.5

| 25.0

| 0

| 66.7

| 1.5

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 4.0

Nia Coffey

| 15

| 1

| 15.3

| 42.1

| 33.3

| 16.7

| 2.5

| 0.8

| 0.3

| 0.3

| 2.7

Awards and honors

class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="text-align: center"

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="5%" | Recipient

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="9%" | Award

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="5%" | Date awarded

! style="{{NBA color cell|Phoenix Mercury}}" width="1%" class="unsortable" | Ref.

Skylar Diggins-Smith

| WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week

| September 8, 2020

| {{Cite web|last=|first=|date=September 8, 2020|title=Diggins-Smith, Bonner Earn Player Of The Week Honors For Week 6|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/diggins-smith-bonner-earn-player-of-the-week-honors-for-week-6/|website=wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|accessdate=September 9, 2020}}

Brianna Turner

| 1st Team All-Defense

| September 29, 2020

| {{cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/two-atlanta-dream-players-and-seattle-storms-alysha-clark-headline-2020-wnba-all-defensive-team/|title=Two Atlanta Dream Players And Seattle Storm's Alysha Clark Headline 2020 WNBA All-Defensive Team|website=wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2020}}

Diana Taurasi

| rowspan=2 | All-WNBA Second Team

| rowspan=2 | October 4, 2020

| rowspan=2 | {{cite web|url=https://www.wnba.com/news/aja-wilson-and-candace-parker-unanimously-selected-to-2020-all-wnba-first-team/|title=A'ja Wilson And Candace Parker Unanimously Selected To 2020 All-WNBA First Team|website=wnba.com|publisher=WNBA|date=October 4, 2020|accessdate=October 5, 2020}}

Skylar Diggins-Smith

References

{{reflist}}