Why Phoenix's Preseason Was The Start Of Something Special

The Phoenix Mercury won a championship in 2009, and they did it after missing the playoffs in 2008. They finished the 2008 season with a record of 16-18. The following year, they finished the season with a record of 23-11, and they fought their way through the playoffs to win it all. It was a phenomenal year for the Mercury, and before things kicked off, they played a few preseason games. Phoenix took on two Western Conference rivals. The first game was against the Sacramento Monarchs, and the second was against the Seattle Storm. Sacramento hosted Phoenix in the first one, but the Mercury came out victorious. They beat the Monarchs 74-70, and Allie Quigley was the leading scorer. She had 15 points, and she also had four assists, three rebounds and a steal. DeWanna Bonner was the team's second-leading scorer, and she had 10 points, six rebounds and two steals. Bonner was Phoenix's first draft pick that year, as they selected her with the fifth pick. The Mercury had two other picks that year, and they picked