The Phoenix Mercury 2015 were led by Brittney Griner’s dominant interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection, while Candice Dupree provided efficient frontcourt offense and Diana Taurasi supplied perimeter scoring and playmaking despite limited appearances. Erin Phillips directed the offense as the primary facilitator, and the Mercury remained a strong defensive team built around interior play, though inconsistent offensive depth reduced their overall effectiveness.
Phoenix built its defense around Griner’s elite rim protection, with opponents regularly changing shots or avoiding the paint altogether. Even after missing time, independent coverage consistently described her interior presence as the foundation of the Mercury’s identity.
All-Star (2015), All-WNBA First Team (2015), WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2015)
DeWanna Bonner
Starter/Star
33.3
High
15.8
5.7
3.3
2.1
70.22
Bonner shifted into an even larger offensive role with Diana Taurasi unavailable, handling more isolation and transition opportunities while also defending multiple positions. Writers covering the Mercury frequently noted how much responsibility she absorbed during an injury-filled season.
All-Star (2015), All-WNBA Second Team (2015)
Candice Dupree
Starter/Star
31.2
High
14.1
5.1
1.7
1.4
58.08
Dupree remained Phoenix’s dependable interior scorer, thriving with quick post moves and efficient finishing instead of high-volume shot creation. Season analysis regularly highlighted her consistency as one of the few constants in an injury-disrupted campaign.
All-Star (2015)
Leilani Mitchell
Starter/Star
23.0
Medium
6.7
2.1
2.7
1.1
30.49
Mitchell stepped into a larger ball-handling role than originally expected, stretching defenses with perimeter shooting while keeping the offense organized. Her steady decision-making became increasingly valuable as Phoenix adjusted to missing star guards.
Monique Currie
Starter/Star
21.3
Medium
8.4
3.2
1.5
1.3
34.12
Currie gave the Mercury another experienced wing capable of creating mid-range offense and defending multiple matchups. Independent coverage often pointed to her professionalism as Phoenix searched for lineup stability.
Mistie Bass
Key Contributor
13.9
Low
4.1
3.0
0.7
1.5
19.53
Bass quietly supplied productive frontcourt minutes through efficient finishing, rebounding and physical defense. Her bench role allowed Phoenix to maintain interior toughness whenever the starters rested.
Cayla George
Key Contributor
12.7
Low
5.0
3.1
0.7
1.0
20.58
George brought valuable frontcourt versatility, spacing the floor more than a traditional post player while helping on the glass. Her adaptability earned steady reserve minutes throughout the regular season.
Noelle Quinn
Key Contributor
18.6
Low
4.1
2.6
1.9
0.7
19.53
Quinn filled a utility role across the perimeter, moving between guard and wing assignments depending on lineup needs. Coaches leaned on her experience and defensive reliability rather than scoring production.
Marta Xargay
Key Contributor
17.5
Low
3.9
1.8
2.4
0.7
18.69
The rookie guard adjusted quickly to the WNBA with unselfish passing and active perimeter defense. Independent reporting often praised her basketball IQ despite the normal learning curve of her first season.
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2015)
Alex Harden
Bench
12.2
Low
2.1
1.4
0.9
1.1
11.00
Harden’s role centered on energy and perimeter defense in short reserve appearances. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, reflecting her developmental place in the rotation.
Shameka Christon
Bench
6.3
Low
2.8
0.4
0.6
0.2
8.00
Christon appeared only intermittently as veteran wing depth. Limited independent reporting focused on her individual season because her opportunities were confined to spot minutes.
Tess Madgen
Bench
7.4
Low
1.3
0.8
0.3
1.1
7.00
Madgen was used sparingly as a floor-spacing reserve. Independent coverage of her season was scarce, with her contributions coming mainly in brief relief appearances.
Tiffany Bias
Bench
6.3
Low
1.9
0.1
0.7
0.1
5.60
Bias remained a developmental reserve guard behind Phoenix’s veteran backcourt. Contemporary reporting on her season was limited due to her restricted role and minutes.
Phoenix continued to funnel everything defensively through Griner, whose rim protection reshaped entire possessions and discouraged opponents from attacking the paint. Playoff coverage consistently described her interior presence as the Mercury’s greatest advantage even as the series became more physical.
All-Star (2015), All-WNBA First Team (2015), WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2015)
DeWanna Bonner
Starter/Star
31.8
High
17.3
6.0
2.5
1.1
70.75
Bonner carried the heaviest perimeter scoring load, mixing transition attacks with confident three-point shooting while creating offense when possessions stalled. Independent reporting regularly noted how much responsibility she assumed with Phoenix missing key playmakers.
All-Star (2015), All-WNBA Second Team (2015)
Candice Dupree
Starter/Star
30.3
High
11.0
5.3
1.5
1.3
50.69
Dupree remained the steady interior option, relying on efficient footwork and smart positioning rather than forcing difficult shots. Analysts frequently pointed to her reliability as Phoenix searched for offensive balance during the postseason.
All-Star (2015)
Monique Currie
Starter/Star
24.0
Medium
10.3
3.0
2.5
1.6
42.59
Currie accepted a complementary scoring role, attacking mid-range space and defending multiple wing assignments. Her veteran experience drew praise as Phoenix adjusted its rotation throughout the series.
Marta Xargay
Key Contributor
23.3
Low
6.0
3.8
2.3
0.3
26.67
Xargay played with poise beyond her experience, moving the ball quickly and defending aggressively on the perimeter. Postseason observers highlighted her composure despite facing playoff pressure in her first WNBA season.
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2015)
Leilani Mitchell
Key Contributor
14.8
Low
4.0
1.8
3.5
1.8
23.31
Mitchell organized the second unit with smart ball movement while stretching defenses when left open from deep. Her steady decision-making helped stabilize Phoenix whenever the starting guards rested.
Noelle Quinn
Key Contributor
20.3
Low
4.3
2.8
0.8
0.8
18.27
Quinn filled a utility role, switching between backcourt and wing assignments while focusing on defense and ball movement. Independent playoff coverage emphasized her versatility more than her scoring output.
Cayla George
Bench
9.0
Low
2.7
2.7
1.0
3.4
19.60
George made an impact with active help defense and timely shot blocking despite limited minutes. Her versatility gave Phoenix another frontcourt option whenever the rotation expanded.
Mistie Bass
Key Contributor
13.5
Low
3.3
1.5
0.3
0.6
11.97
Bass supplied physical interior minutes, focusing on screens, rebounding and efficient finishing around the basket. Her postseason opportunities were limited but she remained a dependable reserve.
Shameka Christon
Bench
5.0
Low
4.0
0.5
1.0
0.0
11.00
Christon appeared only briefly yet provided experienced wing depth when called upon. Contemporary independent playoff coverage of her individual role was limited because of her sparse minutes.
Tiffany Bias
Bench
3.5
Low
2.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
8.00
Bias saw only short reserve appearances during the postseason, leaving little independent reporting beyond her developmental role behind veteran guards.
Alex Harden
Bench
3.0
Low
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.5
1.00
Harden’s playoff role was limited to brief defensive minutes, and contemporary independent coverage of her postseason contributions was scarce due to the shortened rotation.
