Nate Tibbetts: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Kristi Toliver is the associate head coach of the Phoenix Mercury, and she received that role back in 2023. She has been with the team since then, and during the 2025 WNBA Finals, she coached the team during a crucial moment.

Phoenix Mercury News / Phoenix Mercury On SI / January 12

Looking At The Journey Of Mercury Head Coach Nate Tibbetts

After missing the playoffs in 2023, the Phoenix Mercury needed to shake things up. They hired a new coach, and they brought in a coach with NBA experience.

WNBA News / Phoenix Mercury On SI / December 17

Mercury's Tibbetts Has Place In Coach Of The Year Race

The 2025 Coach of the Year race featured some worthy candidates, and in the end, Natalie Nakase won. Nakase was an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces before she was named the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries.

Phoenix Mercury News / Burn City Sports / November 24

Mercury’s Copper and Tibbetts to participate in USA Basketball training camp

PHOENIX — Two members of the Phoenix Mercury have been selected to participate in the upcoming USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp in December.

Phoenix Mercury News / Phoenix Mercury On SI / November 21

How The Mercury Won A Season Series In Rough Year

The Phoenix Mercury struggled in the 2023 season , as they finished the year with a record of 9-31. It was one of the franchise's worst seasons, and after that, the Mercury made some changes.

Phoenix Mercury News / Phoenix Mercury On SI / November 12

How The Mercury's Legends Have Fueled Them

The 2024 Phoenix Mercury turned things around. Phoenix had a poor season in 2023, and a few moves helped the team improve. For starters, the Mercury brought in a new coach.

Phoenix Mercury News / Burn City Sports / November 7

Nate Tibbetts breaks down Mercury’s season before Suns matchup

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts took time before Thursday’s Phoenix Suns game to reflect on his team’s transformation over the past season.

Phoenix Mercury News / Burn City Sports / October 20

WNBA rescinds Mercury coach Tibbetts’ second technical foul in Game 4 of Finals

PHOENIX — The WNBA said the second technical foul assessed to Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts in Game 4 of the Finals, which led to his ejection, should not have been called.

Phoenix Mercury News / WNBA on ClutchPoints / October 13

Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas gives Kristi Toliver glowing HC endorsement after WNBA Finals stint

PHOENIX– Following Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts’ being ejected from the WNBA Finals, associate head coach Kristi Toliver had her moment in Game 4.

WNBA News / Burn City Sports / October 11

Mercury’s Finals loss extends Arizona’s painful championship heartbreaks

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts walked into the press room after his team’s WNBA Finals loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday night, sat down, folded his box score and looked toward the press.

Phoenix Mercury News / Women's Fastbreak on SI / October 10

Mercury Coach Nate Tibbetts Torches 'Weak' Ejection After WNBA Finals Loss to Aces

The Las Vegas Aces completed a four-game sweep over the Phoenix Mercury on October 10, thus making them the 2025 WNBA champions. The depleted Mercury weren't able to put up much of a fight on Friday night, as the loss of Satou Sabally (who suffered a concussion during Game 3) clearly impacted this team's ability to compete on both ends.

WNBA News / WNBA on ClutchPoints / October 10

Nate Tibbetts ejected after double technical in WNBA Finals Game 4 vs. Aces

The Phoenix Mercury are trying to keep their season alive in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces, and they’re going to have to do so without their head coach.

Phoenix Mercury News / EssentiallySports / October 10

Concerning WNBA Trend Around Mercury’s Finals Rooted in Nate Tibbetts’ Call Out, Per Analyst

From the tense CBA negotiation environment dating back to All-Star Weekend to the ongoing issues with injuries and officiating, the WNBA has been dramatic this season.

Phoenix Mercury News / EssentiallySports / October 10

Mercury HC Nate Tibbetts Changes Stance on WNBA Officiating Ahead of Game 4

Nate Tibbetts once said, “We haven’t talked about the officiating all playoffs. We just play and we’re worried about us”. His statement came amidst a rise of criticism against the referees over how they made out certain calls.

WNBA News / EssentiallySports / October 10

Becky Hammon and Nate Tibbetts Find Common Ground Against WNBA Officials Ahead of Game 4 – Report

Nate Tibbetts was the only playoff coach who hadn’t lodged a single gripe about the referees .“We haven’t talked about the officiating all playoffs. We just play and we’re worried about us.” He had said.

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Phoenix Mercury News / EssentiallySports / October 9

Mercury HC Nate Tibbetts Sounds Locker Room Alarm Before Must-Win Game 4 vs Aces

Alyssa Thomas arrived in Phoenix to finally get her hands on the coveted title. “I’m still chasing the championship.” Thomas had said in her introductory press conference.

Phoenix Mercury News / EssentiallySports / October 9

Mercury HC Nate Tibbetts Has 1 Message for Becky Hammon Before Do-or-Die Game 4

If it were last year, then the Aces would have already lifted the trophy. With a ‘Best of Seven’ series being implemented this year, the Mercury still has a chance.

Phoenix Mercury News / WNBA on ClutchPoints / October 9

Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts shares ominous message after 0-3 deficit to Aces

PHOENIX– Trailing 0-3 in any seven-game series is a tall task to overcome. The Phoenix Mercury find themselves in an interesting predicament after losing 90-88 to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 3.

Phoenix Mercury News / WNBA on ClutchPoints / October 5

Nate Tibbetts, Mercury ready to counter Aces’ zone defense

As the Phoenix Mercury wrapped up practice before Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces, there was one note everyone took: Zone defense. Las Vegas did a masterful job in the final two quarters of implementing the defense.

WNBA News / Field Level Media / October 4

Mercury in daunting yet familiar hole down in WNBA Finals to Aces

The Phoenix Mercury have already erased two separate 0-1 deficits on their way to the WNBA Finals, but the circumstances in which they lost Friday's series opener make this situation feel a bit more precarious.

A'ja Wilson has historic performance in Aces' Game 1 win

...Dana Evans also makes history

Fever's Caitlin Clark breaks silence on commissioner controversy

WNBA commissioner addresses officiating concerns, Clark comments

Change is needed in the WNBA

Phoenix Mercury News / WNBA on ClutchPoints / October 4

Mercury’s Nate Tibbetts explains why he chose closing lineup vs. Aces

The Phoenix Mercury ended up on the wrong side of a topsy-turvy Game 1 of the WNBA Finals against the Las Vegas Aces. The 89-86 loss came down to fine margins as the Aces’ bench completely outscored Phoenix’s reserves 41-16.

Phoenix Mercury News / WNBA on ClutchPoints / September 29

Nate Tibbetts thanks Mercury for ‘real commitment’ amid WNBA Finals bid

PHOENIX– The Phoenix Mercury versus everybody. The team’s mantra, encapsulated by head coach Nate Tibbetts, along with his talented roster, was particularly evident after the team advanced to the WNBA Finals in an 86-81 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday.

Phoenix Mercury News / EssentiallySports / September 27

Nate Tibbetts Emerges As Face of New, Rebellious Phoenix Mercury With Strong Messages For Critics

“I hope they keep overlooking us.” In the eyes of the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury lost too much before the season to be a championship contender. Diana Taurasi retired, and Brittney Griner walked away in free agency.

Phoenix Mercury News / Burn City Sports / August 12

Could an eight player rotation sustain success for the Phoenix Mercury?

PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts has made it clear he wants to go with an eight-player rotation for the rest of the season. Injuries throughout the year have forced Tibbetts to change and modify rotations using the players available at the moment.

WNBA News / Field Level Media / August 4

Mercury cruise past Sky behind Kahleah Copper’s 25, Alyssa Thomas’ triple-double

Kahleah Copper scored a game-high 25 points and Alyssa Thomas registered a triple-double of 10 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds to lift the visiting Phoenix Mercury to an 83-67 win against the skidding Chicago Sky on Sunday.

Phoenix Mercury News / Athlon Sports / May 11

Nate Tibbetts Reveals 2 Biggest Keys to Success For Phoenix Mercury in 2025

The Phoenix Mercury are scheduled to take on the WNBA's newest team, the Golden State Valkryies, today at 6 p.m. ET, giving coach Nate Tibbetts a chance to work through his new rotation with former stars Diana Taruasi retired and Brittney Griner in Atlanta with the Dream.