How The Mercury's Preseason Helped Them Turn Things Around

The Phoenix Mercury had a nice 2013 season, as they finished the year with a record of 19-15. They made the playoffs that season, and they faced the Los Angeles Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx during that time. The Mercury defeated the Sparks in the first round, as they beat them 86-75 in the first game and 78-77 in the third. Then, the Lynx beat them as they won both games. Phoenix had a good year, and by the end of the regular season, the Mercury were third in the Western Conference. The only teams that were ahead of them were the Lynx and the Sparks. Minnesota had a record of 26-8 and Los Angeles finished 24-10. In the first game of the season, the Mercury lost to the Chicago Sky. The Sky beat them 102-80, and Diana Taurasi led the team with 18 points. Phoenix started the season with a loss, but before that, they picked up a win in the preseason. The Mercury faced a special opponent that year, as they faced Japan. They beat them 87-64, and Brittney Griner was the team's leading scorer. She had 18 points, an