The Phoenix Mercury 2018 featured one of the league’s most balanced attacks, led by Diana Taurasi’s elite scoring and playmaking alongside Brittney Griner’s efficient interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. DeWanna Bonner added versatile two-way production, while Briann January stabilized the backcourt with defense and ball movement. Strong offensive efficiency, unselfish passing, and reliable interior defense made the Mercury a well-rounded team throughout the season.
Everything in Phoenix’s half-court attack still revolved around Griner establishing deep post position. Opposing defenses routinely collapsed into the paint, yet she remained one of the league’s most efficient interior scorers while anchoring the defense with elite rim protection that analysts consistently described as the Mercury’s foundation. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018), All-WNBA First Team (2018), All-Defensive First Team (2018)
Diana Taurasi
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.0
High (1.2)
20.7
3.5
5.3
1.1
80.78
Taurasi dictated Phoenix’s offense with patient pick-and-roll reads and trademark deep shooting. Independent season coverage repeatedly noted that her playmaking had become just as important as her scoring, allowing the Mercury to punish aggressive defensive schemes without sacrificing tempo. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018), All-WNBA First Team (2018)
DeWanna Bonner
Starter/Star (1.1)
32.9
High (1.2)
17.3
7.2
3.2
1.7
77.62
Bonner thrived as Phoenix’s versatile two-way forward, filling gaps whether the offense needed another creator or another rebounder. Writers regularly highlighted her length in transition and her ability to defend several positions without disrupting the Mercury’s spacing. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018), All-WNBA Second Team (2018)
Sancho Lyttle
Starter/Star (1.1)
23.3
Medium (1.1)
7.9
5.3
1.4
1.3
38.24
Lyttle quietly handled the physical work inside, screening, rebounding and defending bigger frontcourts while allowing Phoenix’s stars to stay aggressive offensively. Independent reporting often praised her experience and positional awareness after returning from injury.
Briann January
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.1
Medium (1.1)
7.0
2.1
3.3
0.7
31.94
January’s impact extended well beyond her scoring. She routinely accepted the toughest perimeter defensive assignment, and season analysis frequently credited her with stabilizing the backcourt through disciplined defense and efficient ball movement.
WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018)
Leilani Mitchell
Key Contributor (1.05)
14.9
Low (1.0)
4.4
1.4
2.3
0.7
18.48
Mitchell embraced a reserve role by keeping the ball moving and stretching defenses with quick-release shooting. Her veteran decision-making helped Phoenix maintain offensive flow whenever the starters rested.
Stephanie Talbot
Key Contributor (1.05)
14.6
Low (1.0)
3.7
1.9
1.3
0.8
16.17
Talbot continued earning trust because she fit almost any lineup. Coaches leaned on her defensive versatility and willingness to make the extra pass rather than asking her to carry offensive possessions.
Yvonne Turner
Bench (1.0)
13.3
Low (1.0)
4.1
1.8
1.3
0.8
16.00
Turner supplied energetic backcourt minutes, attacking open threes and pressuring opposing guards. Independent reporting regularly mentioned her ability to inject pace without needing many touches.
Camille Smith
Key Contributor (1.05)
16.2
Low (1.0)
3.0
1.8
1.2
0.8
14.28
Smith accepted a smaller rotation role while still providing reliable frontcourt depth. Her screening, defensive communication and willingness to handle physical assignments remained valued even as her minutes declined.
Angel Robinson
Bench (1.0)
9.9
Low (1.0)
2.3
3.0
0.5
0.5
12.60
Robinson’s opportunities were limited, but she consistently brought rebounding and interior toughness when Phoenix needed another post defender. Contemporary independent coverage of her season was limited.
Marie Gulich
Bench (1.0)
5.0
Low (1.0)
1.5
1.0
0.1
0.3
5.80
Gulich spent most of her rookie season developing behind an experienced frontcourt. Limited independent reporting focused on her long-term potential rather than immediate production.
Devereaux Peters
Bench (1.0)
7.6
Low (1.0)
1.6
1.6
0.4
0.0
7.20
Peters appeared only briefly during the season, providing emergency frontcourt depth. Limited contemporary coverage was available because of her small sample of playing time.
Imani Wright
Bench (1.0)
1.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Wright made only a brief appearance, leaving little independent season reporting beyond roster transaction coverage.
TEAM TOTALS
—
257.8
—
99.0
39.6
22.9
12.9
407.57
Phoenix paired elite interior dominance from Brittney Griner with the experienced perimeter leadership of Diana Taurasi and the versatility of DeWanna Bonner, producing one of the WNBA’s most balanced offenses while advancing to the WNBA Semifinals.
Bonner was the emotional spark of Phoenix’s postseason, attacking mismatches from the wing and relentlessly crashing the glass. During the Seattle semifinal series, independent coverage repeatedly highlighted how her versatility allowed the Mercury to survive stretches when defenses loaded up on Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi, including a pair of 27-point performances. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018), All-WNBA Second Team (2018)
Brittney Griner
Starter/Star (1.1)
36.4
High (1.2)
21.6
8.0
3.1
3.0
94.25
Griner remained Phoenix’s interior focal point throughout the playoffs, drawing constant double teams while protecting the rim at the other end. Even as Seattle crowded the paint, analysts consistently described her as the matchup the Storm had to solve before anything else defensively. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018), All-WNBA First Team (2018), All-Defensive First Team (2018)
Diana Taurasi
Starter/Star (1.1)
35.3
High (1.2)
21.0
4.4
6.0
1.5
86.59
Phoenix trusted Taurasi with virtually every high-pressure possession, and she repeatedly answered with difficult shot-making and precise playmaking. Her fourth-quarter barrage to force overtime earlier in the postseason reinforced the confidence teammates and coaches placed in her late-game decision-making. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2018), All-WNBA First Team (2018)
Briann January
Starter/Star (1.1)
35.4
Medium (1.1)
7.1
2.9
3.7
0.7
34.12
January accepted the toughest perimeter defensive assignments every night, allowing Phoenix’s stars to conserve energy offensively. Playoff analysis regularly pointed to her communication and point-of-attack defense as a major reason the Mercury stayed competitive deep into the semifinals. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018)
Stephanie Talbot
Key Contributor (1.05)
27.0
Low (1.0)
6.3
5.3
2.8
1.0
32.34
Thrust into a larger role because of injuries, Talbot responded with active rebounding and versatile defense across multiple positions. Independent reporting praised her willingness to fill whatever role Phoenix required rather than forcing offense.
Yvonne Turner
Key Contributor (1.05)
20.1
Low (1.0)
6.9
1.9
2.0
1.3
25.41
Turner gave Phoenix valuable perimeter spacing while defending with energy against opposing guards. Her outside shooting kept defenses honest, and postseason observers frequently noted how confidently she embraced important rotational minutes.
Angel Robinson
Bench (1.0)
8.0
Low (1.0)
4.3
1.5
0.3
0.8
13.80
Robinson supplied physical frontcourt minutes whenever extra size was needed. Contemporary independent playoff coverage was limited, though available reports consistently referenced her effort and willingness to battle inside.
Camille Smith
Bench (1.0)
12.4
Low (1.0)
1.4
2.8
0.6
0.2
10.00
Smith’s role centered on providing dependable frontcourt depth and setting solid screens. Independent postseason discussion was limited because Phoenix relied heavily on its core rotation during the semifinals.
Leilani Mitchell
Bench (1.0)
7.0
Low (1.0)
1.7
0.3
0.9
0.2
6.20
Mitchell saw a reduced playoff role as the Mercury shortened their rotation. Limited contemporary coverage focused primarily on her veteran experience and readiness whenever called upon.
Devereaux Peters
Bench (1.0)
6.5
Low (1.0)
1.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
6.00
Peters appeared only briefly during the postseason. Limited independent reporting was available because of her small role in Phoenix’s playoff rotation.
TEAM TOTALS
—
222.7
—
94.3
43.9
22.8
13.2
413.80
Phoenix reached the WNBA Semifinals behind a dominant three-player core, with Bonner, Griner and Taurasi carrying the offensive burden while January’s perimeter defense and key role players helped push the eventual champion Seattle Storm to a decisive fifth game.
