The Phoenix Mercury are just 1-2 to start the season, but the bigger story might be that this roster STILL hasn’t fully come together yet.

After Fiba delays kept her out to begin the year, Valériane Ayayi finally made her Mercury debut and Phoenix immediately threw her into the starting lineup. So what does that tell us about how the Mercury envision this team long term?

We break down Ayayi’s fit alongside Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper, why the Mercury’s defensive identity already looks legit, and how roster continuity, chemistry, and missing pieces continue to impact the offense early in the season.

Plus: what’s real about Phoenix’s 1-2 start, what still needs to improve, and why this team may look VERY different a few weeks from now.

Welcome to PHNX Mercury, where we make it more fun to be a Mercury fan!

0:00 - Vibe check

4:30 - Gil's first x-factor experience

9:00 - Minnesota Lynx game recap

10:00 - Olivia Miles was special vs the Mercury

16:20 - Valériane Ayayi

22:00 - Mercury scouting department COOKING

32:00 - It's KFC, Kahleah Copper

40:00 - Missing players vs Lynx

49:30 - Gameplan vs Chicago Sky

55:00 - Predictions

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The Phoenix Mercury are 1-1 to open the season, but the context around that start matters. The Mercury open the year with the second-hardest opening schedule in the WNBA, including the team’s only back-to-back of the entire season, and still showed flashes of what this group can become.

Erika, Stephen and Girl break down the Mercury’s ugly first half against the Valkyries, the second-half comeback attempt that cut the game to one possession, and why there are still plenty of encouraging signs despite the loss.

Plus, Alyssa Thomas continues to drive nearly everything offensively for Phoenix, Jovana Nogic stays red-hot from three, and the Mercury still haven’t fully unlocked the best version of Kahleah Copper yet.

The Mercury home opener is next, and Phoenix still looks like a team with another level waiting to be unlocked.

Welcome to PHNX Mercury, where we make it more fun to be a Mercury fan!

0:00 - Catching up on the loss to GSV

10:00 - Possession game cost the Merc

16:00 - SPG's notes on Veronica Burton and the GSV matchup

19:00 - Mack rebounding impact

30:00 - Alyssa Thomas is amazing (still)

44:00 - Trading for Cam Brink?

46:00 - Jovana Nogic is MORE than a shooter

50:30 - Predictions for Minnesota Lynx game

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The Mercury just went to the WNBA Finals, returned two thirds of the core of that group, and somehow STILL feel like an afterthought in a lot of national conversations heading into 2026.

Phoenix already showed flashes during preseason play, but the biggest thing people continue to underestimate is the impact Alyssa Thomas has on winning. And when you pair that with continuing to pressure defenses downhill and Phoenix having more lineup versatility than people give them credit for, it’s hard to understand why this team keeps getting counted out.

Today we’re talking about why the Mercury still don’t seem to get the respect they deserve, why Alyssa Thomas remains one of the most impactful players in basketball, how Kahleah Copper raises the ceiling of this team, and why Phoenix might be getting overlooked AGAIN heading into the 2026 WNBA season.

Welcome to PHNX Mercury, where we make it more fun to be a Mercury fan!

0:00 - Marta Suarez and More Mercury news and notes

19:00 - Erika is BACK?!

20:50 - Noémie Brochant

23:00 - Can we just talk basketball?

26:22 - Alyssa Thomas at media day

41:15 - Kahleah Copper Shined at Media Day

58:00 - ESPN pre-season rankings

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The Phoenix Mercury closed preseason 2-0 after handling the Japan National Team 86-60, and the early signs are hard to ignore. Kahleah Copper led the way with 17 points, Alyssa Thomas stuffed the stat sheet with 8 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds, while Phoenix piled up 22 assists and controlled the glass 43-27. We break down the biggest takeaways from another sharp performance, what this team is already showing on both ends, and then dive into ESPN’s latest player rankings to see whether the Mercury are getting the respect they deserve heading into the season.

Welcome to PHNX Mercury, where we make it more fun to be a Mercury fan!

0:00 - Welcome back to planet Mercury

3:40 - Gil's first X-Factor Xperience

12:00 - Corey Gaines returned to the Valley with Japan

19:00 - Retro Jerseys are fire!

26:35 - The game vs Japan Recap

34:00 - Offensive rebounding + Tagging up

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The Phoenix Mercury are trying to run it back after a trip to the 2025 WNBA Finals, but they’ll be doing it without Satou Sabally, who left in free agency for New York. So now what? On today’s PHNX Mercury show, we’re breaking down all of Phoenix’s offseason moves, from bringing back Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb to adding more depth and taking another swing overseas with Valériane Ayayi and Noémie Brochant. Is this enough to keep the Mercury in the title mix, or did Satou’s exit change everything? We’re talking roster fit, training camp battles, who needs to step up, and what this team could actually look like in 2026.

Welcome to PHNX Mercury, where we make it more fun to be a Mercury fan!

0:00 - WNBA is back

3:00 - Satou Sabally departs for New York

13:00 - Important returning pieces

18:00 - How will the Merc play differently this season?

24:00 - Who are the 12?

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Welcome back to the PHNX Mercury Podcast! The transformative new CBA has officially been ratified, and we’re breaking down exactly what it means for the Phoenix Mercury as the new season approaches. With the expansion draft just one week away and the rookie draft two weeks out, there is a lot to unpack. Erika, Stephen, and new to the Mercury Podcast, Gil, are here to get you caught up on everything you need to know during this shortened WNBA offseason.

Welcome to PHNX Mercury, where we make it more fun to be a Mercury fan!

0:00 - Welcome Gil!

8:00 - 2 Truths and 1 Lie

14:00 - NEW WNBA CBA

24:00 - The "Dearica Hamby Clause"

27:08 - Two developmental players

37:20 - Expansion Rules

40:00 - Who are you protecting?

48:00 - Free Agency coming soon...

1:02:00 - Mercury REBRANDED

1:07:00 - Final thoughts

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When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.

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