Why Phoenix's Free-Throw Shooting Was Key In 2023

Phoenix was sixth in free-throw percentage, as the team shot 80.3 percent. The Las Vegas Aces led in that category, as they shot 84 percent. The New York Liberty were second in this area, and they shot 82.9 percent.

The Washington Mystics were third on the list, and they shot 82.9 percent. Then, the Los Angeles Sparks were ahead of the Mercury, as they shot 81.9 percent.

Jones and others perfect from the line

Phoenix had some strong free-throw shooters, and some of the players who had brief stints with the team were perfect. Ashley Joens, Evina Westbrook and Destanni Henderson were perfect from the line, and they all played less than 10 games.

Henderson played five games, Joens played eight and Westbrook was there for nine.

Outside of those players, the player with the highest percentage was Sophie Cunningham. She shot 87.5 percent, and she made 70 free throws. So far, that is the most she has knocked down in a season.

Cunningham is a reliable free-throw shooter, and the Mercury had a few others. Liz Dixon shot 87.5 percent as well, and she played 10 games with the Mercury. She made seven of her eight attempts.

Diana Taurasi was a strong free-throw shooter, and she shot nearly 85 percent. She made 95 free throws, and she took 112.

Moriah Jefferson was behind Taurasi, and she shot 82 percent. She made 41 free throws, and she attempted 50.

Overall, the Mercury had 10 players who shot 80 percent or better from the charity stripe. That includes the players who were perfect in their attempts.

Cunningham is a strong free-throw shooter, and having others like Taurasi, Jefferson and Sug Sutton helped the Mercury get a few wins. It was not Phoenix's best season, but the team's free-throw shooting was one of the positives of that time.

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