In Brittney Griner’s first game back with the team after a three game absence due to health and safety protocols, the Mercury fell short to the Dallas Wings in a 77-74 loss at Footprint Center on Sunday.
With their loss on Sunday, the Mercury were officially eliminated from playoff contention with a record of 9-25 along with the Seattle Storm (10-25).
Moriah Jefferson led the Mercury with 20 points shooting 56% from the field and adding five assists and four rebounds. In her return, Griner finished with 19 points, two assists, two rebounds and two blocks for the Mercury, shooting 9 for 17 from the field.
The Mercury’s failure to reach the playoffs marks their first absence from the postseason in a decade – the last time being in 2012 when they held a record of 7-27. The team is also on the brink of rounding out their third least-winning season in program history.
With only six games left on the mercury’s schedule, the team will have to start thinking about postseason moves. Moves that will hopefully come in the form of a #1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft.
More must-reads: