Fans question Mercury’s rotation choices involving Brown in WNBA Finals loss

Brown’s lack of playing time hasn’t gone unnoticed, as her minutes dwindled in the second half of the season and into the playoffs while the team opted for an eight-player rotation in preparation. Known for her size and interior presence, the 6-foot-7 center saw more action in Game 4 against the Aces as head coach Nate Tibbetts was forced to go deeper into his bench with Satou Sabally ruled out due to a concussion.

In 18 minutes against Las Vegas on Friday, Brown recorded 10 points, four rebounds and made four of her five free-throw attempts. With the team needing a collective effort in the absence of one of its leading scorers in Sabally, Brown helped answer the call.

However, despite her performance, Tibbetts stood by his lineup decisions.

“I don’t think I live with regrets,” Tibbetts said on Saturday after the series, according to Desert Wave Media. “I think as a coach you’re always making difficult decisions.”

Whether or not Brown would have made a huge impact in the playoffs is open for debate, as she averaged 5.1 points and 4.0 rebounds in the regular season. One could argue her defense would have been needed in the series against Las Vegas.

During the Finals, the Mercury allowed an average of 31.8 points in the paint over four games. Tibbetts opted for speed over size, and while that approach kept some games close, Brown’s size and defensive presence could have been a difference-maker.

For fans, there’s frustration over Phoenix not utilizing Brown to her full potential. On X (formerly Twitter), many expressed that her rim protection could have changed the series, especially as the Mercury fell into a 3-0 hole against a tough Aces team.

With the offseason underway, Phoenix is now left with decisions to make as the league awaits its next move. Being just four wins away from a championship has already placed the Mercury on a high pedestal in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Power Rankings, where they sit at No. 2 behind the top-ranked Aces.

Championship hopes remain within reach for the Mercury next season, but this season’s heartbreak in the Finals will leave fans wondering why certain pieces weren’t used to their full potential.