Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Brittney Griner Starter/Star (1.1) 31.5 High (1.2) 21.9 7.6 1.9 3.2 91.87 Phoenix built its offense around Griner’s post touches and rim pressure, and independent coverage regularly described her as the matchup every opponent tried—and usually failed—to solve. Her scoring title came through constant paint touches rather than volume jump shooting, while her rim protection remained the backbone of the Mercury defense. (WNBA) WNBA Scoring Champion (2017), WNBA All-Star (2017), All-WNBA First Team (2017), WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2017), All-Defensive First Team (2017)
Diana Taurasi Starter/Star (1.1) 28.5 High (1.2) 17.9 3.0 2.7 0.8 64.94 Rather than slowing down, Taurasi continued dictating late-game offense with deep shooting and elite decision-making. Season-long reporting highlighted her record-breaking three-point shooting, leadership and ability to control difficult possessions despite facing the opponent’s top perimeter defender every night. (WNBA) WNBA All-Star (2017), All-WNBA First Team (2017)
Monique Currie Key Contributor (1.05) 20.9 Medium (1.1) 10.2 3.0 2.2 1.1 38.15 Currie settled into a valuable swing role after returning to Phoenix, giving the Mercury another experienced scorer on the wing. Independent reporting frequently praised her poise and willingness to attack mismatches when defenses loaded up on Griner and Taurasi. (WNBA)
Leilani Mitchell Key Contributor (1.05) 21.4 Medium (1.1) 8.0 2.4 3.6 1.2 35.42 Mitchell supplied steady ball-handling and floor spacing while seamlessly shifting between starter and reserve responsibilities. Analysts often credited her with keeping Phoenix’s offense organized and punishing defenses that collapsed into the paint.
Danielle Robinson Starter/Star (1.1) 23.5 Medium (1.1) 6.9 2.9 3.4 1.3 35.82 Robinson’s value came from speed, point-of-attack defense and pushing the tempo. Coverage throughout the season noted how her ability to pressure opposing guards complemented Phoenix’s bigger frontcourt and created easier transition opportunities.
Camille Smith Starter/Star (1.1) 25.4 Medium (1.1) 7.1 3.8 1.4 1.3 32.19 Smith quietly handled difficult frontcourt assignments while spacing the floor just enough to keep driving lanes open. Independent reporting regularly described her as a dependable glue player whose screening and positional defense were central to the starting unit.
Stephanie Talbot Key Contributor (1.05) 17.9 Low (1.0) 4.4 2.7 1.6 1.0 20.37 Talbot carved out consistent rotation minutes by defending multiple positions and making quick decisions with the ball. Observers viewed her adaptability and willingness to embrace a complementary role as a significant positive during her rookie campaign. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2017)
Angel Robinson Bench (1.0) 15.8 Low (1.0) 3.9 3.9 0.5 0.8 18.20 Robinson filled a specialist role as an interior reserve, bringing physicality and rebounding whenever the Mercury needed additional size. Independent reporting on her season was limited but consistently highlighted her defensive energy.
Emma Cannon Bench (1.0) 12.9 Low (1.0) 4.4 3.6 0.3 0.2 17.00 Cannon gave Phoenix productive minutes through hustle plays, offensive rebounding and interior activity. Independent coverage often referenced her ability to change the energy level of second units despite modest playing time.
Yvonne Turner Bench (1.0) 12.8 Low (1.0) 5.1 1.0 1.1 0.6 15.60 Turner provided reserve backcourt depth with an aggressive defensive mindset. Contemporary reporting described her as a useful complementary guard capable of injecting pace and perimeter pressure off the bench.
Cayla George Bench (1.0) 11.9 Low (1.0) 3.3 2.7 0.5 0.7 14.40 George’s willingness to defend larger forwards and step away from the basket offensively added flexibility to the Mercury rotation. Independent season coverage of her individual play was relatively limited.
Shay Murphy Bench (1.0) 14.1 Low (1.0) 3.2 2.4 0.8 0.7 14.20 Murphy appeared in a limited reserve role before being moved during the season. Contemporary reporting largely focused on her veteran leadership and professionalism rather than statistical production.
Alexis Prince Bench (1.0) 7.2 Low (1.0) 1.9 1.0 0.4 0.4 7.40 Prince spent much of the year developing behind an experienced guard rotation. Independent reporting was limited, though evaluators continued to point toward her athletic upside and defensive potential.
Sophie Brunner Bench (1.0) 4.3 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.3 0.0 0.0 2.60 Brunner saw only brief action before being included in an in-season trade. Contemporary independent coverage was limited because of her small role and short stay with Phoenix.
TEAM TOTALS — 268.1 — 96.3 36.9 21.8 13.3 407.22 Phoenix blended Griner’s dominant interior scoring with Taurasi’s perimeter shot creation, surrounding them with experienced role players to earn another playoff berth and reach the WNBA Semifinals. WNBA Semifinalist (2017)

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Brittney Griner Starter/Star (1.1) 36.8 High (1.2) 20.2 7.0 2.0 2.2 82.90 Phoenix continued to funnel its offense through Griner on the block despite constant double teams from Los Angeles. Playoff coverage emphasized that she remained the Mercury’s most difficult matchup, though the Sparks’ physical interior defense forced her into tougher, lower-efficiency attempts than earlier rounds. (WNBA) WNBA Scoring Champion (2017), WNBA All-Star (2017), All-WNBA First Team (2017), WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2017), All-Defensive First Team (2017)
Diana Taurasi Starter/Star (1.1) 31.8 High (1.2) 17.2 2.8 3.8 0.6 64.42 Taurasi remained Phoenix’s late-clock creator and nearly stole Game 3 with another clutch scoring performance. Reporters consistently noted that Los Angeles built much of its defensive game plan around limiting her pull-up shooting and forcing the ball from her hands. (WNBA) WNBA All-Star (2017), All-WNBA First Team (2017)
Leilani Mitchell Starter/Star (1.1) 33.0 Medium (1.1) 15.0 2.8 3.8 1.6 56.87 Mitchell emerged as Phoenix’s unexpected secondary scorer, opening the semifinal series with a 19-point effort that punished Los Angeles whenever it overloaded toward Taurasi and Griner. Her confident perimeter shooting kept the Mercury competitive throughout the series. (WNBA)
Camille Smith Starter/Star (1.1) 31.6 Medium (1.1) 6.0 6.8 1.4 1.0 36.18 Smith embraced the physical frontcourt work, battling on the glass while handling difficult defensive assignments against the defending champions. Independent postseason coverage frequently highlighted her willingness to absorb contact and do the understated work around Phoenix’s stars. (WNBA)
Yvonne Turner Starter/Star (1.1) 23.8 Medium (1.1) 9.8 2.4 1.6 1.0 35.82 Turner stepped into a larger postseason role by spacing the floor and defending aggressively on the perimeter. Her efficient outside shooting provided valuable balance whenever Los Angeles collapsed toward Phoenix’s primary scorers.
Monique Currie Key Contributor (1.05) 16.0 Low (1.0) 4.6 3.2 2.2 1.0 23.10 Currie supplied experienced wing depth and accepted a reduced offensive role without disrupting the rotation. Independent reporting praised her composure and veteran presence despite inconsistent shooting during the series.
Emma Cannon Bench (1.0) 10.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 4.3 0.3 0.0 11.20 Cannon provided energetic rebounding in limited minutes and consistently fought for second-chance opportunities. Contemporary postseason coverage of her individual play was limited because of her reserve role.
Danielle Robinson Bench (1.0) 10.6 Low (1.0) 2.8 0.8 1.0 0.2 9.60 Robinson’s primary responsibility shifted toward defending opposing guards and changing tempo in short bursts. Independent reporting focused more on her defensive assignments than offensive production during the series.
Stephanie Talbot Bench (1.0) 5.8 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.5 0.3 0.0 5.60 Talbot played only spot minutes but continued to earn trust through defensive versatility and smart ball movement. Contemporary playoff coverage of her contributions was understandably limited. WNBA All-Rookie Team (2017)
Angel Robinson Bench (1.0) 5.7 Low (1.0) 0.7 1.7 0.3 0.0 5.40 Robinson was used briefly to add size and physicality against Los Angeles’ frontcourt. Limited independent postseason reporting was available because of her small role.
Cayla George Bench (1.0) 0.5 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 2.00 George appeared only briefly during the series. Limited contemporary coverage was available due to her minimal playing time.
Alexis Prince Bench (1.0) 0.5 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Prince was limited to brief appearances as Phoenix relied heavily on its veteran perimeter rotation. Independent reporting on her postseason role was minimal.
TEAM TOTALS — 205.1 — 79.3 31.8 16.4 10.1 333.11 Phoenix reached the WNBA Semifinals behind the Griner–Taurasi partnership, but Los Angeles’ defensive depth and physical half-court execution ultimately ended the Mercury’s playoff run in a three-game sweep. WNBA Semifinalist (2017)