Mercury put rebuild to the test against Aces

After the departures of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, Phoenix was forced to rebuild and find a way to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving league. With the return of Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack, the Mercury reloaded their roster through a mix of trades and free agency. They traded for major players like Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, and added free agents such as Monique Akoa Makani and Kathryn Westbeld.

The front office knows Copper is in her prime, and this season was the right moment to surround her with talent that could elevate her game. They brought in veterans who have already reached the top of the league, including WNBA champions Sami Whitcomb and DeWanna Bonner, who joined later in the season.

Mercury’s rebuild left the team out of playoff discussions during the preseason, and now, they’re four wins away from securing the franchise’s fourth championship. The team’s identity has been simple: ignore the noise and keep grinding. Even when they weren’t picked to win their first two playoff series, Phoenix used that doubt as fuel to keep pushing forward.

Put against the defending champions and title favorites, the Mercury have persevered. Phoenix has made a habit of disrupting the status quo, something the team can carry beyond 2025.

Winning a title against the Aces would be the result of a short rebuild. Mercury fans don’t need to wait years for the front office to move pieces around for a chance to compete; they already are. That outlook extends beyond 2025, as the next several seasons could be competitive ones in Phoenix if the core stays healthy.

Fans expect more from this team, and winning a championship in this series could be the catalyst for deeper playoff runs in the coming seasons.

Reporters and editors from Burn City Sports and Dice City Sports have made their own predictions for the Finals:

J Russell:

1) Pick: Mercury in 6
2) Finals MVP: Alyssa Thomas
3) Why: Vegas has the star power and the dynasty talk, but the Mercury have the more balanced halfcourt answers. Thomas’ pace control, switchable defense, and late-game decision making give Phoenix the edge in a seven-game grind shown by this latest playoff run. Kahleah Copper’s downhill pressure bends Vegas’ help and frees Thomas to win the margin possessions. Definitely believe Copper will make late defensive plays that will lead to another Mercury chip.

Ben Bliklen:

1) Pick: Mercury in 6
2) Finals MVP: Alyssa Thomas
3) Why: Thomas has just had an MVP-type of season. She has shown time and time again that she steps up when it matters. Her eight triple-doubles, which is the new single-season WNBA record, proves that she is amongst the greats, and will show that in the Finals. Mercury’s momentum is real, and the X-Factor can be the biggest game-changer.

Wendy Lopez:

1) Pick: Mercury in 7
2) Finals MVP: Satou Sabally
3) Why: The Mercury have proven they can hang with the league’s best, but the Aces remain the standard. Sabally has been key, with Phoenix going 5-0 when she scores 15 or more points. She’ll need to stay hot, while the Mercury must continue leaning on their defensive identity, especially in late-game moments like their closeouts against Minnesota and New York.

Win or lose, Phoenix’s Finals appearance has already reshaped the perception of this team. Playing against a dynasty for a championship is the culmination of a group that has believed in itself since day one.