Last Updated on September 1, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Phoenix Mercury 2022 leaned heavily on Skylar Diggins-Smith as their primary scorer and playmaker, while Diamond DeShields provided athletic wing scoring and Brianna Turner anchored the frontcourt with rebounding and defense. Sophie Cunningham added perimeter shooting and complementary offense, but the Mercury lacked consistent interior scoring and overall offensive balance, relying on guard play while struggling to maintain efficiency and defensive consistency throughout the season.
Roster
| NO. | PLAYER NAME | POS. | HT. | WT. | BIRTH DATE | COLLEGE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamond DeShields | G | 6-1 | 172 | March 5, 1995 | Tennessee |
| 3 | Diana Taurasi | G | 6-0 | 163 | June 11, 1982 | UConn |
| 4 | Skylar Diggins | G | 5-9 | 140 | August 2, 1990 | Notre Dame |
| 5 | Karlie Samuelson | G | 6-0 | 159 | May 10, 1995 | Stanford |
| 9 | Sophie Cunningham | G | 6-1 | 156 | August 16, 1996 | Missouri |
| 10 | Megan Gustafson | C | 6-4 | 208 | December 13, 1996 | Iowa |
| 11 | Shey Peddy | G | 5-7 | 146 | October 28, 1988 | Temple |
| 12 | Reshanda Gray | F | 6-2 | 192 | June 1, 1993 | California |
| 14 | Sam Thomas | G-F | 6-0 | 165 | June 14, 1999 | Arizona |
| 21 | Brianna Turner | F-C | 6-3 | 175 | July 5, 1996 | Notre Dame |
| 22 | Yvonne Turner | G | 5-10 | 127 | October 13, 1987 | Nebraska |
| 24 | Emma Cannon | F | 6-2 | 190 | June 1, 1989 | Florida Southern College |
| 25 | Jennie Simms | G | 6-0 | 165 | April 21, 1994 | Old Dominion |
| 31 | Tina Charles | C | 6-4 | 192 | December 5, 1988 | UConn |
| 33 | Kristine Anigwe | F-C | 6-4 | 200 | March 31, 1997 | California |
| 33 | Kaela Davis | F | 6-2 | 180 | March 15, 1995 | Georgia Tech, South Carolina |
Regular Season Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skylar Diggins | G | 31 | 30 | 30 | 34.0 | 19.7 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 16.2 | 6.9 | .429 | 4.5 | 1.3 | .296 | 5.3 | 4.5 | .844 |
| Diana Taurasi | G | 40 | 31 | 31 | 31.0 | 16.7 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 13.0 | 4.8 | .373 | 8.8 | 3.0 | .337 | 4.6 | 4.1 | .894 |
| Diamond DeShields | G | 27 | 30 | 19 | 25.3 | 13.1 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 12.2 | 4.7 | .388 | 3.0 | 0.7 | .236 | 3.8 | 2.9 | .765 |
| Sophie Cunningham | G | 25 | 28 | 20 | 29.5 | 12.6 | 4.4 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 9.5 | 4.3 | .449 | 6.3 | 2.5 | .400 | 1.7 | 1.5 | .875 |
| Shey Peddy | G | 33 | 34 | 24 | 28.6 | 9.9 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 8.2 | 3.4 | .418 | 4.3 | 1.4 | .329 | 1.9 | 1.6 | .889 |
| Tina Charles | C | 33 | 16 | 16 | 33.1 | 17.3 | 7.3 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 14.8 | 6.5 | .441 | 4.1 | 1.5 | .364 | 3.4 | 2.8 | .800 |
| Brianna Turner | F | 25 | 35 | 35 | 33.4 | 4.3 | 6.8 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 1.9 | .607 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | .500 | |
| Megan DiLeo | G | 25 | 33 | 0 | 9.6 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 1.5 | .549 | 0.8 | 0.4 | .462 | 0.5 | 0.4 | .765 |
| Jennie Simms | G | 28 | 23 | 4 | 13.2 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | .476 | 0.8 | 0.2 | .211 | 0.8 | 0.7 | .789 |
| Kaela Davis | G | 27 | 5 | 0 | 5.4 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 1.8 | .692 | 0.6 | 0.4 | .667 | 0.8 | 0.6 | .750 |
| Reshanda Gray | F | 29 | 16 | 0 | 9.5 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.9 | .405 | 0.7 | 0.1 | .091 | 0.2 | 0.1 | .333 |
| Kristine Anigwe | C | 25 | 10 | 1 | 6.5 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .500 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .500 | |
| Sam Thomas | F | 23 | 24 | 0 | 4.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | .211 | 0.6 | 0.0 | .067 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.000 |
| Yvonne Turner | G | 34 | 3 | 0 | 11.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 1.3 | .400 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.000 | |
| Emma Cannon | F | 33 | 1 | 0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.000 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | .500 | |
| Karlie Samuelson | G | 27 | 1 | 0 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .333 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .333 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Playoff Per Game
| PLAYER NAME | POS | AGE | GP | GS | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TOV | FGA | FGM | FG% | 3PA | 3PM | 3P% | FTA | FTM | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond DeShields | G | 27 | 2 | 2 | 27.0 | 19.5 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 19.0 | 8.0 | .421 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .333 | 3.5 | 2.5 | .714 |
| Kaela Davis | G | 27 | 2 | 0 | 23.5 | 16.0 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 14.5 | 7.0 | .483 | 1.5 | 0.0 | .000 | 2.5 | 2.0 | .800 |
| Megan DiLeo | G | 25 | 2 | 0 | 23.5 | 9.0 | 4.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 9.5 | 3.0 | .316 | 2.5 | 0.0 | .000 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 1.000 |
| Sophie Cunningham | G | 25 | 2 | 2 | 31.0 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 5.5 | 2.5 | .455 | 4.0 | 1.5 | .375 | 3.0 | 1.0 | .333 |
| Jennie Simms | G | 28 | 2 | 2 | 24.5 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 7.5 | 2.0 | .267 | 5.0 | 1.0 | .200 | 2.5 | 0.5 | .200 |
| Shey Peddy | G | 33 | 1 | 1 | 26.0 | 8.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 13.0 | 3.0 | .231 | 7.0 | 2.0 | .286 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Brianna Turner | F | 25 | 2 | 2 | 30.0 | 4.0 | 11.5 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 4.5 | 2.0 | .444 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||
| Reshanda Gray | F | 29 | 2 | 0 | 8.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 1.0 | .400 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .500 | |
| Yvonne Turner | G | 34 | 2 | 1 | 12.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 1.0 | .286 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | ||
| Sam Thomas | F | 23 | 2 | 0 | 7.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .500 | 1.0 | 0.5 | .500 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight
| 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 |
HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight
| 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 |