What Suns Can Learn From WNBA Counterpart

As the calendar turns to October, basketball fever reaches its pinnacle in Arizona. Yes, the Phoenix Suns play their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers on October 3rd. But on that day, most Valley basketball fans will be watching the Phoenix Mercury, who play Game 1 of the 2025 WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces.

Both teams, owned by Mat Ishbia, stand at polar opposites in their respective leagues. Despite having Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the Suns finished 11th in the Western Conference with a 36-46 record last season, which culminated with Mike Budenholzer being fired. Meanwhile, the Mercury fielded their first winning season since 2021, coincidentally their last Finals appearance.

With the Mercury four games away from their fourth championship, here are ways that the Suns can continue the contagious excitement.

What Suns Can Learn From WNBA Counterpart

1. Creating a complimentary big three

Despite having championship aspirations, the Suns fell short. Granted, Devin Booker and Durant averaged over 25 points per game. However, injuries haunted the side last season. While Booker set a personal record for 75 games started, Durant only started 62. A wounded Beal averaged 17.0 points per game in his 53 games played, 38 of which were starts.

Injuries aside, the Mercury’s star signings centered around complimentary veterans, like Alyssa Thomas. One of six players to average double figures on the 2024 Connecticut Sun, the Mercury increased her production and tapped into her potential. Improving her scoring production by 4.8 points per game, Thomas has also averaged a career-high 9.2 points, along with 8.8 rebounds, per game this season.

But Thomas also has help in the paint, something that the Suns could not say last season with Durant. Satou Sabally continues her stellar offensive point production, with 16.3 points per game. While her assist and rebound averages have decreased since her Dallas Wings days, she lets Thomas have more control of the offense. The trio also takes pressure off of Kahleah Copper, who averaged over 20 points per game last season.

2. Trusting the head coaching process

Since the 2021 NBA Finals, the Suns’ head coaching carousel has been chaotic and unpredictable. A Monty Williams firing in 2023 led to one-season stints for both Frank Vogel and Budenholzer. It is not a recipe for success.

The Mercury found themselves in a similar position two years ago. Vanessa Nygaard, hired to succeed 2014 WNBA championship winner Sandy Brondello, was fired 12 games into the 2023 campaign.

So, along came Nate Tibbetts. Not only is the Mercury job his first in the WNBA, it is also his first head coaching gig since working for the Tulsa 66ers (Now Oklahoma City Blue) during their 2011-12 season. Risky on the surface, but he also spent 12 years as an NBA assistant.

With a 19-21 record and a first round playoff exit, Tibbett’s first year fell short of expectations. Through the team’s newcomers and returners, his side went 27-17, its best since the 2014 WNBA championship run.

Similarly, Jordan Ott spent three years as the Atlanta Hawks’ video coordinator and nine years as an assistant coach before joining the Suns. He has the experience to lead an NBA side. It will just depend on whether or not he can make it past this season.

3. Showing grit

The Mercury have shown some fortitude throughout the playoffs. After defeating the reigning champs New York Liberty in a rubber match, they beat the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in four games. Both series featured Phoenix winning on the road.

More importantly, the Mercury pulled off some massive comebacks against the Lynx. First in Game 2, where they overcame a 20-point deficit to win 89-83 in overtime. Then in Game 4, where they trailed by 13 entering the fourth quarter.

The Suns also adapted to pressure last season. They pulled off two comebacks against the LA Clippers. One on October 31st, 2024, where they trailed by 18 points at halftime, and another on March 4th, 2025, where 10 fourth-quarter points by Collin Gillespie helped them erase a 23-point Clipper lead.

That grittiness has followed Jordan Ott’s team into the 2025-26 campaign. Dillon Brooks has pushed his teammates to adopt a villain mindset during training camp, saying there is a “villain junior” amongst the squad.

In an 82-game regular season, which is already a bit awry with Jalen Green out with a low-grade hamstring strain, the Suns will need their depth to shine in dark moments—something that can build toughness, and possibly continue the Valley’s excitement.