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
Skylar Diggins Starter/Star (1.1) 34.0 High (1.2) 19.7 4.0 5.5 2.5 83.95 Functioned as Phoenix’s primary offensive engine, creating in pick-and-roll while carrying an expanded scoring burden through a turbulent season. Coaches and league observers consistently highlighted her shot creation and late-game responsibility as the Mercury’s stabilizing force despite constant roster disruption. WNBA All-Star (2022); All-WNBA First Team (2022); MVP Voting (6th, 2022)
Tina Charles Starter/Star (1.1) 33.1 High (1.2) 17.3 7.3 2.1 1.6 74.18 Operated as a featured interior scorer with regular post touches before her midseason departure. Coverage around the team frequently noted that Phoenix leaned on her half-court scoring whenever the offense stalled, although the overall fit never fully settled. WNBA All-Star (2022)
Diana Taurasi Starter/Star (1.1) 31.0 High (1.2) 16.7 3.4 3.9 1.3 66.53 Even with defenses keying on her perimeter game, Taurasi remained the club’s offensive organizer, spacing the floor and creating difficult shots late in possessions. Much of the season’s reporting emphasized her leadership during one of the franchise’s most challenging years. WNBA All-Star (2022)
Diamond DeShields Starter/Star (1.1) 25.3 Medium (1.1) 13.1 3.8 2.2 1.5 49.61 Played an aggressive downhill role rather than simply spotting up, giving Phoenix needed athleticism on the wing. Writers often pointed to her transition pressure and defensive activity while noting she was still searching for offensive consistency after previous health setbacks.
Sophie Cunningham Key Contributor (1.05) 29.5 Medium (1.1) 12.6 4.4 1.6 1.4 46.20 Worked primarily as a floor-spacing wing whose shooting opened driving lanes for the backcourt. Her willingness to defend bigger assignments and embrace physical play earned regular praise despite frequent lineup changes around her.
Shey Peddy Key Contributor (1.05) 28.6 Medium (1.1) 9.9 3.8 3.4 1.8 43.89 Filled multiple backcourt roles throughout the year, alternating between lead guard and secondary creator depending on availability. Independent coverage regularly highlighted her energy, defensive pressure and adaptability as valuable traits for Phoenix.
Brianna Turner Starter/Star (1.1) 33.4 Low (1.0) 4.3 6.8 2.3 2.9 35.09 Anchored the defense as the team’s primary rim protector and help defender while rarely looking for her own offense. Analysts consistently praised her screening, mobility and ability to clean up mistakes made on the perimeter.
Kaela Davis Bench (1.0) 5.4 Low (1.0) 4.6 1.2 0.0 0.0 11.60 Appeared briefly and provided instant perimeter scoring in limited opportunities. Contemporary coverage was limited because of her small sample, but her role was clearly as emergency offensive depth.
Megan Gustafson Bench (1.0) 9.6 Low (1.0) 3.8 1.9 0.5 0.4 13.20 Served as reserve frontcourt depth, supplying efficient finishing around the basket in short stretches. Independent reporting on her season was limited, with most discussion focusing on dependable bench minutes when injuries accumulated.
Jennie Simms Bench (1.0) 13.2 Low (1.0) 3.4 2.2 0.9 0.5 14.00 Earned rotational opportunities because of her defensive versatility and willingness to handle multiple wing assignments. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, though observers noted her effort and flexibility whenever called upon.
Yvonne Turner Bench (1.0) 11.7 Low (1.0) 3.3 0.7 2.3 0.0 12.60 Appeared only briefly as experienced backcourt insurance. Limited independent reporting was available because of her three-game sample, with her value tied mainly to veteran ball handling.
Emma Cannon Bench (1.0) 6.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 12.00 Logged a single appearance in an emergency frontcourt role. Contemporary independent coverage was minimal given the extremely limited playing time.
Karlie Samuelson Bench (1.0) 10.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 3.0 1.0 0.0 14.00 Saw only one game before moving on, primarily offering perimeter shooting. Independent reporting specific to this brief Mercury stint was very limited.
Reshanda Gray Bench (1.0) 9.5 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.8 0.6 0.6 10.00 Provided physical reserve minutes inside whenever needed. Coverage from the season was sparse, reflecting her limited rotational role.
Kristine Anigwe Bench (1.0) 6.5 Low (1.0) 1.5 1.3 0.2 0.3 6.60 Brought rebounding energy in short appearances but remained outside the regular rotation. Independent season-specific reporting was limited because of her small workload.
Sam Thomas Bench (1.0) 4.9 Low (1.0) 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.4 2.60 Used primarily for defensive effort and developmental minutes. Contemporary coverage was limited, with attention focused on her potential rather than immediate production.
Phoenix Mercury Totals 119.6 50.4 31.6 15.4

Playoffs

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Diamond DeShields Starter/Star (1.1) 27.0 High (1.2) 19.5 4.5 2.0 1.0 71.81 Attacked as Phoenix’s primary downhill scorer in the series, repeatedly creating offense off the dribble instead of waiting for spot-up chances. Postgame coverage emphasized that her aggressiveness kept the Mercury competitive even as defensive attention increasingly shifted toward her.
Kaela Davis Key Contributor (1.05) 23.5 Medium (1.1) 16.0 3.5 1.5 1.0 50.82 Came off the bench looking to score immediately, giving Phoenix a reliable half-court option when the starters struggled. Independent playoff coverage highlighted how confidently she hunted mid-range looks and attacked closeouts in limited minutes.
Brianna Turner Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 11.5 2.5 0.5 40.70 Anchored the interior with rebounding and defensive positioning rather than offensive volume. Analysts covering the series frequently pointed to her screening, rim protection and willingness to handle difficult frontcourt assignments despite Phoenix’s offensive limitations.
Megan Gustafson Bench (1.0) 23.5 Medium (1.1) 9.0 4.5 2.0 1.0 36.30 Supplied valuable reserve frontcourt minutes by running the floor and finishing around the basket. Coverage noted that her activity level helped stabilize the second unit whenever Phoenix needed extra energy inside.
Shey Peddy Key Contributor (1.05) 26.0 Medium (1.1) 8.0 2.0 5.0 2.0 39.27 Took on primary ball-handling duties and continued pressing defensively despite an inefficient shooting night. Writers covering the game praised her competitiveness and ability to keep the offense organized under heavy pressure.
Sophie Cunningham Key Contributor (1.05) 31.0 Medium (1.1) 7.5 2.5 2.0 0.5 28.88 Filled a complementary wing role by spacing the floor and defending multiple perimeter matchups. Reporting from the series regularly mentioned her willingness to embrace physical defensive assignments while providing timely outside shooting.
Jennie Simms Bench (1.0) 24.5 Low (1.0) 5.5 3.0 2.0 0.0 21.00 Worked as a versatile depth wing, moving between defensive assignments as needed. Independent playoff coverage was limited, though available reporting consistently referenced her hustle and defensive flexibility.
Yvonne Turner Bench (1.0) 12.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 3.0 1.5 0.0 13.00 Served as experienced backcourt depth in a limited role. Contemporary independent reporting was sparse because of her modest workload during the series.
Reshanda Gray Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 2.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 7.00 Provided brief frontcourt minutes focused on physical interior play. Independent playoff coverage was limited due to her small role in the rotation.
Sam Thomas Bench (1.0) 7.0 Low (1.0) 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.5 4.00 Entered primarily for defensive possessions and spot minutes on the wing. Contemporary reporting offered little player-specific analysis because of her limited playing time.
Phoenix Mercury Totals 75.5 34.5 18.5 6.5