The Phoenix Mercury have been one of the WNBA’s most resilient and decorated franchises, capable of reinventing themselves across generations of talent.
Once defined by Diana Taurasi’s brilliance, the Mercury are now writing a new chapter, one led by Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, and Satou Sabally.
Their unexpected surge to the 2025 WNBA Finals has revived memories of the franchise’s glory years and reignited the belief that Phoenix can once again sit among the league’s elite.
Despite being dismissed early in the season as a rebuilding team still searching for identity after Taurasi’s retirement, the Mercury grew stronger as the playoffs approached. They overcame injuries, tightened defensively, and peaked at the right time.
Their upset win over the Minnesota Lynx in the semifinals was a turning point, a reminder that experience, toughness, and belief still matter in postseason basketball. Now, as they prepare to face the powerhouse Las Vegas Aces in the Finals, the Mercury are chasing history once more.
Their path this year mirrors their past. Phoenix has built its legacy on resilience, thriving when underestimated and finding ways to challenge expectations. Few franchises have managed to sustain such long-term relevance in a league known for dynastic cycles and rapid turnover.
A history of winning in the desert
The Phoenix Mercury have reached the WNBA Finals six times: in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2021, and now 2025. Their first trip came during the league’s second season, led by guard Jennifer Gillom and Hall of Famer Michele Timms.
Though they fell to the Houston Comets, the league’s original dynasty, that run laid the foundation for future success.
It wasn’t until nearly a decade later that Phoenix captured its first WNBA title. Under head coach Paul Westhead and behind the electric duo of Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter, the Mercury played at a breakneck pace that redefined the women’s game.
Their 2007 championship victory over the Detroit Shock marked the franchise’s arrival among the league’s elite. Two years later, they did it again, this time outlasting the Indiana Fever in another five-game classic to secure their second title in three seasons.
The Mercury’s third championship came in 2014, and it was their most dominant. With Taurasi at her peak and Brittney Griner emerging as one of the most feared centers in basketball, Phoenix stormed through the season and swept the Chicago Sky in the Finals.
That team’s blend of experience, athleticism, and chemistry made them one of the most complete champions in WNBA history.
Their last Finals appearance before this year came in 2021, when they once again faced the Chicago Sky. Despite strong performances from Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix fell short, losing the series in four games.
That defeat left them tied with the Los Angeles Sparks at three titles, one shy of joining the WNBA’s most successful franchises – the Houston Comets, Minnesota Lynx, and Seattle Storm – all with four championships.
The Mercury’s place among WNBA dynasties
When assessing WNBA history, a few dominant stretches stand out. The Houston Comets set the gold standard by winning the league’s first four titles from 1997 to 2000 behind Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson.
The Minnesota Lynx replicated that sustained excellence between 2011 and 2017, capturing four titles behind Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, and Sylvia Fowles. The Seattle Storm, powered by Sue Bird and Lauren Jackson, later Breanna Stewart, joined that elite company with their fourth championship in 2020.
Phoenix’s three titles, won over an eight-year span, represent the largest gap between a team’s first and most recent championship among franchises with multiple rings. That longevity underscores the Mercury’s adaptability.
They’ve thrived in eras dominated by different styles of play, rule changes, and generational talent shifts. From the free-scoring offenses of the late 2000s to the defensive-minded battles of the 2020s, the Mercury have remained relevant, and dangerous.
Now, as they head into the 2025 Finals against the Aces, the Mercury have the opportunity to elevate themselves into that top echelon of WNBA history. A fourth title would tie them with the league’s all-time leaders and further solidify Phoenix’s status as one of the league’s foundational powerhouses.
It would also mark a symbolic handoff between eras. Kahleah Copper, who was named Finals MVP in 2021 with the Chicago Sky before joining Phoenix, has seamlessly assumed the leadership mantle once held by Taurasi.
Her scoring, intensity, and competitive drive have defined this playoff run. Meanwhile, Thomas and Sabally have brought balance, versatility, and grit to a roster that now looks more complete than it has in years.
The Mercury’s story has always been about evolution. From Taurasi’s record-breaking era to Copper’s resurgence, Phoenix has consistently shown that championship DNA doesn’t fade.
And as they prepare for another shot at glory, the Mercury are once again proving that in the WNBA, the desert heat can burn just as bright as ever.
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