Sug Sutton recalls making history with first franchise triple-double

In her first season with the Phoenix Mercury, Sug Sutton recorded the teams first triple-double in franchise history. With a breakout season from the 24-year-old after bouncing around the WNBA for a few years, she had a lot of positives to a reflect upon in a rather challenging season for the Valley team.

“It’s crazy, still unbelievable,” Sutton said about her triple double. “I didn’t even know it was the first one, I didn’t even know I was getting a triple-double that game so everything just happened so fast and it’s just crazy to be in that moment and to have that record being broke as a Phoenix Mercury.”

In their matchup against the No.1 ranked Las Vegas Aces, Sutton secured the first triple-double with 18 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in 39 minutes, leading her team in all statistical areas of the box score.

Out of Texas, Sutton was the last pick of the 2020 WNBA draft to the Washington Mystics. She averaged seven points, 3.9 assists and 2.1 rebounds during her time with the Longhorns but was released prior to the start of the season before signing with the team once more mid-season. Prior to her second season with the Mystics, she was waived once again.

At the beginning of the 2023 Mercury season, Sutton secured a training camp contract and subsequently earned a spot on the squad’s opening night roster for the season.

After getting a taste of her first season in the WNBA in its entirety, Sutton wants to hold on to her spot with the Mercury and plans on working twice as hard to do so.

“(As) soon as the season was over yesterday, I’m already thinking about what was next, already thinking about getting into the gym (and) trying to improve my game and see what I need to do better,” Sutton said. “I’m really excited for what the future holds, hopefully I’m back.”

Sutton started in 12 games for the Mercury and played in all 40 games of the 2023 season. She averaged 8.2 points per game and shot 81% from the free-throw line, adding 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds.

Despite the Mercury’s win-loss record (9-31) placing them on the unfavorable side of franchise history, the team could take pride in several record-breaking performances that stood out.

“We still had great moments within the season,” Sutton said. “I think one of the most special was DT getting her 10k… I think that those moments kind of brought us closer and it gave us that excitement during the season as well.”