The Phoenix Mercury 2019 relied on Brittney Griner’s dominant interior scoring, rebounding, and rim protection, while DeWanna Bonner provided versatile offensive production and strong work on the glass. Leilani Mitchell directed the offense as the primary playmaker and added perimeter shooting, with Briann January contributing backcourt defense. The Mercury combined efficient inside scoring with solid ball movement but lacked consistent offensive depth beyond their leading contributors.
Operated as Phoenix’s offensive and defensive anchor, drawing constant double teams in the paint while remaining the backbone of the club’s rim protection. Even with heavy defensive attention she finished as the league’s leading scorer, and coverage throughout the season consistently highlighted how the Mercury’s scheme revolved around her interior presence. (WNBA)
A versatile point-forward for long stretches, Bonner carried extra creation duties with Diana Taurasi sidelined. Writers frequently noted her ability to attack mismatches, rebound from the wing and stabilize the offense after returning to elite form following motherhood. (WNBA)
All-Star (2019)
Leilani Mitchell
Starter/Star
30.3
Medium
12.8
3.0
4.0
1.2
52.27
Rather than simply spacing the floor, Mitchell became a genuine secondary playmaker whose confidence transformed Phoenix’s backcourt while Taurasi missed most of the season. Her expanded offensive responsibility became one of the league’s biggest development stories. (WNBA)
Most Improved Player (2019)
Briann January
Starter/Star
26.6
Low
6.5
1.3
3.2
0.9
26.18
January filled the connective role, organizing possessions, defending opposing guards and accepting lower-volume scoring. Contemporary coverage regularly emphasized her veteran leadership and defensive reliability more than box-score production. (Wikipedia)
WNBA Community Assist Award (May 2019)
Diana Taurasi
Starter/Star
21.5
Medium
4.3
3.2
5.3
0.5
31.94
A back injury and subsequent surgery limited her to only six games, forcing Phoenix to reshape its offense without its longtime focal point. Her absence became one of the defining stories of the Mercury’s season.
Yvonne Turner
Key Contributor
20.5
Low
6.4
2.8
2.3
0.7
25.62
Turner supplied steady reserve guard minutes, providing perimeter shooting and defensive energy while shifting between backcourt spots depending on lineup needs. Independent coverage often described her value as stabilizing second units rather than producing big scoring nights.
Essence Carson
Key Contributor
18.5
Low
5.8
2.2
1.5
0.8
21.63
Carson embraced a low-usage wing role built around defensive assignments, floor spacing and veteran composure. Coaches leaned on her experience whenever Phoenix needed dependable perimeter defense.
Brianna Turner
Key Contributor
15.9
Medium
4.0
4.1
0.5
0.9
22.18
Turner immediately earned trust as an active interior defender whose mobility complemented Griner. Her timing as a help defender and willingness to do the physical work around the basket drew praise throughout her rookie campaign.
All-Rookie Team (2019)
Camille Smith
Bench
14.7
Low
3.9
2.4
0.8
0.7
15.60
Smith provided experienced frontcourt depth, filling short stretches with positional defense and efficient decision-making rather than high-volume offense. Limited independent coverage focused mainly on her veteran reserve role.
Sancho Lyttle
Bench
12.5
Low
2.9
2.9
0.3
0.9
14.00
Returning late in her career, Lyttle contributed rebounding and physical interior defense in a limited rotation role. Contemporary reporting surrounding her season was relatively sparse compared with Phoenix’s core players.
Sophie Cunningham
Bench
12.2
Low
3.1
1.4
0.8
0.4
11.40
Cunningham’s rookie season centered on learning the professional game while providing hustle, floor spacing and competitive wing play off the bench. Coaches gradually expanded her opportunities as the year progressed.
Alanna Smith
Bench
7.4
Low
1.1
1.9
0.2
0.6
7.60
Smith saw developmental minutes as a rookie stretch forward, with most evaluations emphasizing long-term upside instead of immediate production. Independent reporting on her debut season remained limited.
Asia Taylor
Bench
7.8
Low
0.3
1.8
0.3
0.3
5.40
Taylor appeared only briefly, serving as emergency frontcourt depth. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available because of her small role and four-game sample.
Arica Carter
Bench
4.0
Low
0.3
0.0
0.2
0.2
1.40
Carter’s rookie opportunities were limited to short appearances while adapting to the professional level. Contemporary independent reporting on her season was minimal due to her limited playing time.
Functioned as Phoenix’s primary offensive engine with Diana Taurasi unavailable, relentlessly attacking off the dribble and earning trips to the foul line. Chicago’s defensive game plan still revolved around slowing her, and postseason coverage noted she remained the Mercury’s most consistent creator despite the lopsided defeat. (WNBA)
All-Star (2019)
Briann January
Starter/Star
26.0
Low
12.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
37.40
January spent much of the night organizing the offense while handling difficult perimeter defensive assignments. Her leadership and composure remained evident even as Chicago’s pace disrupted Phoenix’s half-court rhythm. (WNBA)
WNBA Community Assist Award (May 2019)
Camille Smith
Bench
22.0
Low
10.0
5.0
3.0
1.0
38.00
Smith gave Phoenix an unexpected lift with energetic interior play and timely scoring off the bench. Her physical approach around the basket briefly steadied the second unit before the game slipped away. (WNBA)
Sancho Lyttle
Bench
17.0
Low
9.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
24.00
Lyttle supplied experienced frontcourt minutes, using positioning and veteran instincts more than athleticism. Her contributions came in short bursts as Phoenix searched for lineup stability. (WNBA)
Yvonne Turner
Key Contributor
19.0
Low
6.0
4.0
3.0
1.0
29.40
Turner filled her familiar combo-guard role by moving the ball and defending multiple backcourt matchups. She helped settle possessions, although Chicago’s pressure limited the Mercury’s offensive flow.
Brittney Griner
Starter/Star
14.0
High
6.0
3.0
0.0
1.0
26.40
Griner never established her usual interior dominance after suffering a knee injury during the game. Reports afterward identified her exit as a turning point, leaving Phoenix without its defensive anchor for the decisive stretch.
Mitchell continued directing the offense despite heavy ball pressure, but Chicago consistently disrupted passing lanes and prevented Phoenix from generating its preferred perimeter rhythm.
Most Improved Player (2019)
Essence Carson
Key Contributor
11.0
Low
4.0
5.0
1.0
1.0
23.10
Carson embraced a defensive-minded reserve role, bringing toughness on the wing while contributing efficient minutes. Her willingness to guard multiple positions remained valuable despite limited offensive touches.
Sophie Cunningham
Bench
8.0
Low
3.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
6.00
Cunningham’s minutes were brief, but she immediately looked to stretch the floor with confident perimeter shooting. Her role reflected Phoenix’s search for additional spacing late in the rotation.
Brianna Turner
Key Contributor
23.0
Low
0.0
4.0
0.0
1.0
10.50
Turner focused almost entirely on defense, contesting shots and battling on the glass. Even without scoring, she continued showing the activity and rim protection that had earned coaching trust throughout her rookie season.
