The Mercury are a dark horse candidate to upset the Aces. Here's why.
ESPN’s LaChina Robinson reveals there’s one team people aren’t talking about that could derail the Las Vegas Aces’ three-peat bid: the Phoenix Mercury.
Owner Mat Isbia swung for the fences when he brought in head coach Nate Tibbetts last year and did it again in free agency when he snagged Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper to help after a disappointing 2023 season.
Unfortunately, Phoennix’s 2024 season did not start so hot without Brittney Griner, who was out for several weeks with a foot injury. However, since Griner’s return to basketball, the Mercury are 4-2, slowly climbing the WNBA rankings. ESPN’s LaChina Robinson says Phoenix is the biggest threat to the Aces’ quest for three consecutive rings. Here’s what she recently explained during a broadcast:
“Them adding Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud in the off-season has been huge for this organization…Yes, they had a slow start. Brittney Griner missed some time due to a toe injury. They have a new head coach. They need time to gel.”
“But, when you look at this roster, they have all the proven experience you could want. They’ve got two players that have been Finals MVP. Of the four players that I just named, they have won championships with three different organizations.”
“Kahleah Copper has been a bucket this season….Brittney Griner playing with a renewed sense of purpose, and Diana Taurasi [is] not just drinking from the fountain of youth; she [has] a whole cooler at the house.”
