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 32.8 High 20.5 9.5 2.7 2.3 92.40 Everything Phoenix did offensively still flowed through Griner’s interior presence, and she punished single coverage while anchoring the defense around the rim. After the Olympic break she elevated her play further, with season reviews consistently describing her as an MVP-caliber force who carried the Mercury back to the WNBA Finals. (WNBA) All-WNBA First Team (2021), All-Defensive Second Team (2021), All-Star (2021), MVP Voting (2nd)
Skylar Diggins Starter/Star 32.5 High 17.7 3.2 5.3 1.9 73.92 Diggins-Smith handled the toughest creation duties from the backcourt, repeatedly collapsing defenses with her first step and creating quality looks in pick-and-roll. Analysts highlighted how she steadied Phoenix during stretches when teammates were unavailable before earning First Team recognition. (WNBA) All-WNBA First Team (2021), All-Star (2021)
Diana Taurasi Starter/Star 28.4 High 15.2 4.4 4.9 0.8 66.53 Even after missing time through injury, Taurasi remained the emotional and tactical leader of the offense. Once healthy she transformed Phoenix’s rhythm, and coverage regularly credited her return as a catalyst for the team’s 10-game winning streak after the Olympic break. (WNBA) All-Star (2021)
Brianna Turner Starter/Star 31.1 Medium 7.8 9.4 1.8 2.1 51.79 Turner embraced the dirty work every night, protecting the rim, switching onto guards and cleaning the defensive glass without needing touches. Coaches and analysts viewed her versatility as essential to Phoenix’s defensive identity throughout the Finals run. (WNBA) All-Defensive First Team (2021)
Kia Nurse Starter/Star 26.1 Medium 9.5 3.5 1.8 0.6 37.03 Nurse filled a spacing role on the wing, providing perimeter shooting and solid team defense before her season-ending ACL injury. Her memorable game-winning three against Chicago became one of Phoenix’s defining regular-season moments. (WNBA)
Shey Peddy Key Contributor 17.5 Low 5.4 2.3 2.5 1.0 23.52 Peddy brought instant defensive intensity off the bench, disrupting opposing guards and injecting pace whenever the second unit entered. Her energy frequently changed games more than her scoring totals suggested.
Sophie Cunningham Key Contributor 17.5 Low 5.6 2.0 1.1 0.7 19.53 Cunningham settled into a reliable reserve role built around physical defense and confident spot-up shooting. She gave Phoenix needed toughness on the wing while accepting a complementary offensive workload.
Kia Vaughn Key Contributor 15.8 Low 4.6 2.7 1.3 0.4 18.90 Vaughn supplied experienced frontcourt depth, setting solid screens and absorbing physical matchups inside. Her veteran presence allowed Phoenix to keep its interior rotation stable throughout the season.
Megan Walker Bench 14.7 Low 4.5 1.3 0.9 0.5 14.40 Walker’s minutes focused on floor spacing and developmental opportunities as Phoenix evaluated her long-term fit. Independent coverage of her season was limited because she remained outside the core rotation.
Bria Hartley Bench 8.5 Low 3.7 0.7 0.8 0.2 10.80 Hartley returned late in the season after recovering from her ACL injury, with Phoenix carefully managing her workload. The emphasis was on easing her back into game action rather than expanding her offensive responsibilities.
Alanna Smith Bench 6.5 Low 1.2 1.3 0.6 0.7 7.60 Smith appeared in a limited reserve role, providing length and occasional rim protection. Contemporary independent reporting on her contributions was sparse because of her modest playing time.
Cierra Burdick Bench 4.8 Low 1.0 1.8 0.8 0.6 8.40 Burdick filled emergency frontcourt minutes when called upon. Independent season coverage was limited, reflecting her brief appearances within a veteran roster chasing a championship.
Haley Gorecki Bench 2.0 Low 0.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 1.40 Gorecki saw only brief opportunities at the end of the rotation. Limited contemporary independent reporting was available because she played a minimal role during the regular season.
Phoenix Mercury Totals 267.2 95.7 43.5 23.7 15.1 425.32

Playoffs

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Brittney Griner Starter/Star 35.1 High 21.8 8.4 3.0 2.0 92.93 Phoenix built its playoff offense around Griner’s post touches and interior gravity, forcing opponents to collapse into the paint. Series coverage consistently highlighted how her scoring efficiency and rim protection gave the Mercury a dependable foundation throughout their run to the WNBA Finals. All-WNBA First Team (2021), All-Defensive Second Team (2021), All-Star (2021), MVP Voting (2nd)
Skylar Diggins Starter/Star 34.9 High 13.9 3.6 6.1 1.5 66.53 Diggins-Smith controlled the ball for long stretches, pushing pace and creating advantages through high pick-and-roll despite inconsistent shooting. Analysts regularly credited her leadership and playmaking for keeping Phoenix’s offense organized under postseason pressure. All-WNBA First Team (2021), All-Star (2021)
Diana Taurasi Starter/Star 30.5 High 17.6 3.5 2.9 1.1 66.00 Taurasi remained the late-clock shot maker, stretching defenses with deep range and fearless shot selection. Independent postseason reporting frequently pointed to her experience and competitive edge as critical elements of Phoenix’s Finals appearance. All-Star (2021)
Brianna Turner Starter/Star 31.5 Medium 8.5 9.9 2.5 3.2 58.56 Turner anchored the defensive scheme with outstanding help rotations and relentless rebounding, often covering mistakes across the frontcourt. Writers covering the playoffs repeatedly praised her versatility and willingness to handle difficult defensive assignments without demanding offensive touches. All-Defensive First Team (2021)
Shey Peddy Key Contributor 23.2 Low 6.6 3.5 2.5 2.0 30.66 Peddy changed games with ball pressure and hustle, supplying instant energy whenever she entered the backcourt rotation. Her defensive intensity and knack for disrupting opposing guards earned consistent praise throughout Phoenix’s playoff run.
Kia Nurse Key Contributor 21.8 Medium 8.3 3.3 1.5 0.2 30.49 Nurse returned from injury to provide valuable wing spacing and disciplined team defense. Although her role was carefully managed, her perimeter shooting added another dimension whenever Phoenix needed additional floor balance.
Sophie Cunningham Key Contributor 17.5 Low 6.4 2.1 0.8 1.2 22.05 Cunningham embraced a complementary role, defending physically and knocking down timely perimeter shots. Her confidence as a spot-up shooter helped punish defenses that overloaded toward Phoenix’s stars.
Kia Vaughn Key Contributor 12.8 Low 2.9 2.2 1.2 0.4 14.07 Vaughn contributed experienced frontcourt minutes, setting hard screens and providing dependable positional defense. Her veteran presence gave the Mercury flexibility when matching up against bigger lineups.
Alanna Smith Bench 5.2 Low 3.2 2.0 0.2 0.4 11.60 Smith’s appearances were brief but she brought activity around the basket and length as a reserve forward. Contemporary independent playoff coverage of her role was limited because she remained outside the primary rotation.
Bria Hartley Bench 9.6 Low 2.5 1.4 1.3 0.1 10.60 Hartley filled a limited reserve role after returning from a long injury recovery, with Phoenix easing her back into meaningful minutes. Most postseason discussion centered on her resilience rather than offensive production.
Megan Walker Bench 7.8 Low 1.6 0.8 0.0 0.2 5.20 Walker saw only spot minutes as Phoenix shortened its playoff rotation. Independent coverage of her postseason contributions was limited because of her minimal playing time.
Phoenix Mercury Totals 229.9 93.3 38.7 21.5 12.3 408.69