The 2025 Phoenix Mercury season marks a bold new era. With Diana Taurasi retired and Brittney Griner gone, the front office retooled around a powerful new trio: Alyssa Thomas, Satou Sabally, and Kahleah Copper, creating a dynamic roster primed for a championship run. But beyond the high-profile names, two underrated players—Sami Whitcomb and Kalani Brown—are delivering essential depth and grit that could define Phoenix’s postseason trajectory.
⚡ Sami Whitcomb’s Seamless Reinvention
Acquired on February 2 after four productive seasons with Seattle, Whitcomb brings elite shooting and veteran savvy. At 36, this American‐Australian guard has carved out a renewed niche, alternating between starter and key reserve roles. Notably:
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She’s averaging career‑best energy and versatility on both ends of the court, not just relying on catch‑and‑shoot threes. Whitcomb frequently initiates pick‑and‑rolls, attacks closeouts, and contributes playmaking alongside her perimeter defense.
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She was instrumental in helping the bench stand out. Phoenix’s second unit ranks among the WNBA’s best, averaging 83.9 points as a team. Whitcomb’s poise allowed the Mercury to stay competitive even when Copper sat out early in the season due to a knee injury.
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She hit a franchise‑record five threes in Phoenix’s 107‑86 win over Chicago, helping set a club single‑game mark of 17 triples.
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Whitcomb remains steady in crunch time, as seen when she and Brown kept Phoenix within one point in a gripping 74‑71 loss to Minnesota.
Her basketball IQ, spacing ability, and veteran leadership underscore her role as a critical complement to the new “big three.”
🏀 Kalani Brown’s Dominance Inside
Joining Phoenix as a free‑agent signing, Kalani Brown has cemented herself as a foundational force in the paint. At 6'7", she offers:
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Physicality and soft touch around the rim, contributing 15 points and five rebounds on 88% shooting in tough matchups.
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Strong defensive presence, drawing attention in the low post and creating lane opportunities for shooters like Whitcomb and Sabally.
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A reliable option off the bench that clogs passing lanes, crashes boards, and often deters opposing backcourt penetration.
Brown embodies the bruising style coach Nate Tibbetts wants—an interior anchor who balances Phoenix’s perimeter-heavy firepower.
🔺 Kahleah Copper: Scoring Star Returns
Copper seamlessly slots into the revamped offense, celebrated as one of the WNBA’s top perimeter scorers:
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The 6’1” guard/wing is leading Phoenix’s offensive charge, ranking second in scoring with 16.0+ points per game.
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She’s a consistent long‑range threat—connecting on 7-of-10 threes in recent standout performances.
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In Phoenix’s signature win over New York, Copper scored 16 (alongside Whitcomb and Sabally in double figures), helping propel the Mercury to a 12‑4 record—the second‑best in the league.
Her wartime scoring and All‑Star pedigree make her a lethal complement to Phoenix’s emerging core.
🔁 Trio Synergy: Thomas, Sabally & Whitcomb Form Backbone
Phoenix's reimagined roster blends youth, experience, and strategic versatility:
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Alyssa Thomas continues to deliver elite defense and playmaking, flirting with triple‑doubles and ensuring balance on both ends.
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Satou Sabally, averaging near 19 points and 7.7 rebounds, provides a multidimensional option both inside and from midrange.
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Whitcomb, Brown, Copper, and bench contributors like Lexi Held and Kitija Laksa have created a rotation capable of sustaining pace and intensity.
Moving into the Commissioner's Cup and playoff stretch, this balanced unit pairs high-powered scoring with strategic depth and veteran insight—qualities that often define champions.
🧠 Leadership and Culture: A Championship Blueprint
Coach Tibbetts has focused on fostering resilience, accountability, and adaptability:
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After a close 74‑71 defeat to Minnesota’s undefeated Lynx, Whitcomb emphasized being "stingy with ourselves"—a clear sign of expectation and internal discipline.
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Brown echoed that sentiment, reflecting on feeling "comfortable" in her expanded role and embracing aggression under pressure.
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Tibbetts challenged Whitcomb not to settle as a shooter but to diversify her game—slashing, playmaking, and defensive effort—leading to her reborn impact.
These cultural threads matter. Phoenix’s locker room is built on championship DNA—rooted in relentless work, self‑evaluation, and adaptability.
📊 Bench Strength: The X‑Factor for Deep Playoff Runs
In the heat of a long season, depth often proves decisive. Phoenix’s rotation:
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Includes sharpshooters like Laksa and Held, interior presence from Brown, and glue‑play from Whitcomb.
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Remains battle‑tested, evidenced in games where the second unit sustained leads or kept pace.
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Is buoyed by recent training camp additions like Alexis Prince, adding competition and readiness to the mix.
With minimal drop‑off between starter and bench, Phoenix minimizes matchup vulnerabilities that plagued them in past playoff appearances.
🗓️ Season Outlook & Postseason Potential
Phoenix surged to 12‑4 by late June, putting together a five‑game win streak—its first since 2021. Key indicators include:
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Explosive offensive outbursts, like the record‑setting 107‑86 win over Chicago.
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Competitive losses against elite teams like Minnesota and New York, bolstering mental toughness.
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A roster rich with players who’ve won at the highest levels, including WNBA championships (Whitcomb, Thomas, Cooper) and international medals (Copper’s 2024 Olympic gold).
The Mercury are well-positioned to contend not just for playoff seeding, but for a deep postseason run. If they sustain health and chemistry, they could reestablish themselves atop the Western Conference.
🌟 Final Take: A True Title Contender
Phoenix is betting on a new identity—uniting a talent‑rich, defense‑savvy core with veteran poise and bench strength. Sami Whitcomb’s adaptation, Kahleah Copper’s scoring flair, and Kalani Brown’s post dominance have injected sustained momentum. When combined with Thomas’s leadership and Sabally’s two‑way prowess, this team carries both star power and structural integrity.
For fans and analysts alike, the question isn’t if the Mercury can make noise—it’s whether they can seize Silver/Gold and bring another banner to Phoenix. With this blend of firepower, toughness, and depth, they just might.
keyword' Phoenix Mercury،Kahleah Copper،Sami Whitcomb،Kalani Brown،WNBA 2025،Phoenix Mercury roster،WNBA championship
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