The Phoenix Mercury 2011 centered their offense on Diana Taurasi’s scoring and playmaking, while Penny Taylor provided versatile production as a scorer, rebounder, and facilitator. Candice Dupree anchored the frontcourt with efficient interior scoring, and DeWanna Bonner added rebounding and complementary offense. The Mercury relied on balanced scoring, strong ball movement, and perimeter shooting, though inconsistent defense limited their ability to sustain success.
Even after returning from injury, Taurasi immediately reclaimed Phoenix’s offensive controls. Independent coverage regularly highlighted how her shooting gravity stretched defenses well beyond the three-point line, creating cleaner driving lanes for teammates despite constant double teams. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2011); All-WNBA First Team (2011); WNBA Peak Performer (Scoring) (2011)
Penny Taylor
Starter/Star (1.1)
29.8
High (1.2)
16.7
4.9
4.7
2.1
74.18
Taylor quietly tied the roster together as a secondary creator, often initiating offense and defending the opponent’s best wing. Reporters consistently praised her basketball IQ and versatility, especially during Phoenix’s midseason surge. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2011); All-WNBA Second Team (2011)
Candice Dupree
Starter/Star (1.1)
31.6
High (1.2)
14.6
8.2
1.8
1.3
68.59
Dupree anchored the interior with efficient finishing rather than high-volume touches. Coverage throughout the season emphasized how reliably she converted pick-and-roll opportunities and stabilized the Mercury whenever perimeter shots cooled off. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Star (2011)
DeWanna Bonner
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.2
Medium (1.1)
10.7
7.0
0.8
2.1
47.97
Bonner embraced the sixth-player role again, giving Phoenix rebounding, length and defensive activity against multiple positions. Her energetic two-way play earned league-wide recognition as she repeatedly changed games without starting. (WNBA)
WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2011); WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week (Week of Aug. 29, 2011)
Kara Braxton
Key Contributor (1.05)
19.8
Medium (1.1)
10.6
4.9
1.3
1.6
42.78
Braxton supplied a genuine low-post option off the bench, adding physicality that contrasted with Phoenix’s perimeter-heavy style. Independent reporting frequently noted her ability to score through contact against second units.
Temeka Johnson
Starter/Star (1.1)
23.9
Medium (1.1)
6.4
2.0
4.4
1.0
33.40
Johnson’s value came from organization more than scoring. She consistently pushed tempo, protected possessions and allowed Phoenix’s stars to operate off the ball, even if her own offensive numbers remained modest.
Marie Ferdinand-Harris
Bench (1.0)
17.4
Low (1.0)
6.8
1.5
1.1
0.8
20.40
Used primarily as a veteran wing defender, Ferdinand-Harris accepted difficult defensive assignments while spacing the floor in short bursts. Contemporary independent coverage of her season was limited beyond her rotation role.
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor (1.05)
14.4
Low (1.0)
4.2
4.2
0.4
0.4
19.32
Sanford handled much of the physical interior work, setting screens, battling for rebounds and protecting the paint when called upon. Independent reporting generally highlighted her toughness rather than offensive production.
Ketia Swanier
Bench (1.0)
14.8
Low (1.0)
2.7
1.9
2.3
0.8
15.40
Swanier remained a change-of-pace reserve guard whose quickness created defensive pressure. Independent season coverage was limited, though coaches continued trusting her to inject energy into the second unit.
Alexis Gray-Lawson
Bench (1.0)
11.4
Low (1.0)
3.9
0.7
1.3
0.2
12.20
Gray-Lawson filled reserve backcourt minutes as a perimeter shooter and secondary ball-handler. Contemporary independent reporting was limited because her role fluctuated throughout the year.
Krystal Thomas
Bench (1.0)
12.3
Low (1.0)
2.6
1.0
0.1
0.6
8.60
Thomas appeared in a limited frontcourt role, providing size and interior defense when Phoenix needed extra depth. Independent coverage of her contributions during the season was sparse.
Sidney Spencer
Bench (1.0)
8.1
Low (1.0)
1.9
0.6
0.8
0.0
6.60
Spencer’s minutes largely came as a situational floor spacer. Independent reporting rarely focused on her individually because Phoenix relied heavily on its established perimeter rotation.
Olayinka Sanni
Bench (1.0)
5.2
Low (1.0)
1.6
0.7
0.0
0.3
5.20
Sanni saw only brief reserve appearances during the regular season. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, reflecting her end-of-bench role within the Mercury rotation.
Taurasi remained Phoenix’s focal point even while Indiana consistently loaded extra defenders toward her side of the floor. Playoff coverage emphasized how the Fever forced difficult jumpers, yet she continued taking on the toughest offensive possessions throughout the series.
All-WNBA First Team (2011)
Candice Dupree
Starter/Star (1.1)
32.6
High (1.2)
15.4
5.6
0.6
1.4
60.19
Dupree supplied Phoenix’s most dependable interior offense, finishing efficiently against single coverage and keeping the Mercury competitive whenever their perimeter attack stalled. Analysts regularly pointed to her composure around the basket as one of the club’s few consistent advantages in the series.
WNBA All-Star (2011)
Penny Taylor
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.8
High (1.2)
11.6
5.2
3.0
1.0
54.65
Taylor filled multiple jobs every night, alternating between secondary playmaker, wing defender and transition initiator. Her versatility remained evident, although Indiana’s disciplined defense reduced the open-floor opportunities Phoenix usually preferred.
WNBA All-Star (2011); All-WNBA Second Team (2011)
DeWanna Bonner
Starter/Star (1.1)
35.8
Medium (1.1)
12.6
9.4
1.2
2.6
62.19
Bonner’s length and activity became even more important during the postseason. She relentlessly attacked the glass, defended across multiple positions and generated extra possessions despite enduring an inconsistent shooting series.
WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2011)
Temeka Johnson
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.0
Medium (1.1)
5.8
2.4
5.0
0.8
33.40
Johnson worked to organize Phoenix’s offense against heavy ball pressure, prioritizing pace and ball movement over scoring. Independent game coverage often noted that Indiana successfully disrupted many of the quick actions she normally orchestrated.
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor (1.05)
20.0
Low (1.0)
4.8
4.5
0.3
1.1
22.47
Sanford provided valuable frontcourt toughness off the bench, battling for rebounds and protecting the paint whenever Phoenix needed a more physical lineup. Her contributions were felt more through effort than offensive volume.
Marie Ferdinand-Harris
Bench (1.0)
12.3
Low (1.0)
5.8
1.5
0.8
0.8
17.80
Ferdinand-Harris offered experienced wing depth and defensive intensity in limited postseason minutes. Contemporary independent reporting on her role was modest, reflecting Phoenix’s reliance on its core rotation.
Ketia Swanier
Bench (1.0)
9.4
Low (1.0)
1.2
2.0
1.2
0.6
10.00
Swanier briefly changed the pace with her quickness and on-ball pressure, though her opportunities remained limited in a tightly contested playoff series. Independent coverage of her individual play was sparse.
Krystal Thomas
Bench (1.0)
5.0
Low (1.0)
1.0
2.0
0.3
0.3
7.20
Thomas filled a reserve interior role, supplying rebounding and size whenever the Mercury looked to match Indiana’s frontcourt. Contemporary postseason reporting on her minutes was limited.
Alexis Gray-Lawson
Bench (1.0)
7.0
Low (1.0)
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.0
7.00
Gray-Lawson saw only brief backcourt minutes as Phoenix shortened its playoff rotation. Independent reporting was limited because her role remained situational throughout the series.
Sidney Spencer
Bench (1.0)
2.5
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
2.00
Spencer appeared only in limited relief as a reserve shooter. Contemporary playoff coverage did not meaningfully discuss her individual contributions because of her minimal playing time.
