Phoenix's Facilitating Helps Them Get Wins In 2002

The Phoenix Mercury missed the playoffs in 2001, and that was the start of a drought. The Mercury did not make the playoffs again until 2007, and that run resulted in a championship. Until then, Phoenix struggled and tried to compete with teams in its conference. The Mercury finished the 2002 season with a record of 11-21. They started the season with a loss to the Houston Comets, but they went on a winning streak before losing to the Seattle Storm. It was a difficult year for Phoenix, but the team's facilitating helped ease the pain. Phoenix had a total of 427 assists that year, and Gordana Grubin was the leader. She had 104, and her season high was against the Comets. Grubin finished the game with 15 points, eight assists and three rebounds. The Mercury had two other players who scored in double figures, as Jennifer Gillom had 12 points and Lisa Harrison had 10. Grubin's eight assists were also her career high, and before that, her best was six. Grubin was the only player who had at least 100 assists, but