Mercury can't be ignored as WNBA title contenders

It's time to acknowledge the Phoenix Mercury as legitimate contenders for the WNBA championship.

Following a second win over the New York Liberty in two weeks, the Mercury have the second-best record in the league.

Phoenix has 12 wins. Only the Minnesota Lynx (13-2), who beat Atlanta, another double-digit win team, in overtime on Friday night, have more. 

It's fair to say the Lynx are the WNBA's best team. The New York Liberty aren't out of the conversation, but they have dropped four of their last six games, with three of those defeats coming by double digits.

All of those losses have come against teams with winning records. Sabrina Ionescu has also been hampered by a neck injury. Jonquel Jones has been out, too. In short, New York just isn't right. 

That doesn't take away from what Phoenix has done, though. 

After scoring 89 points against the WNBA's second-best scoring defense, allowing 77.3 points before Friday's game, the Mercury blew past the century mark in the game and made at least 17 3-pointers for the second time this week in a 106-91 win. 

Satou Sabally made seven treys as the team set a franchise record with 18 3-pointers. She finished with 25 points. Alyssa Thomas tied a franchise record with 15 assists on top of 17 points and nine rebounds.

Sami Whitcomb made five triples. She's been as hot as the Mercury, who have won six in a row, as well as seven of their past eight.

Phoenix won the game nearly wire-to-wire. It trailed the Liberty 2-0, then blitzed the defending WNBA champions.

It wasn't just a statement win. It was a sign that the Mercury are a legitimate WNBA title contender.

Winning two games is different than winning a five or seven-game series. Phoenix will have to prove it can do that against New York in the postseason, but after another convincing win, there's no doubt that the Mercury should be considered a title contender.