The Phoenix Mercury clinched a spot in the 2025 WNBA playoffs on Friday night.
Phoenix’s 83-79 win on Thursday over the Chicago Sky lowered its magic number to one, as the team could clinch a spot on Friday if the Atlanta Dream defeated the Dallas Wings.
The Dream earned a 100-78 win over Dallas, as the Mercury reached the postseason for the second straight year under head coach Nate Tibbetts.
Phoenix has six games left to play, and the race continues for the No. 2 seed in the standings.
The Mercury have won three straight games and five of their last six. They entered Friday tied with Atlanta for the third seed at 24-14, one game behind the Las Vegas Aces and a half-game ahead of the New York Liberty. Atlanta also clinched a playoff spot with Friday’s win.
“ I like how we’re playing,” Tibbetts told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Friday morning. “I feel like we’ve gotten into a routine. Our rotations are kind of set. There’s a lot of teams playing for positioning right now in the upper echelon of the standings. So every game matters. Last night we didn’t play our best game, but we figured out a way to win, which is important at this time of year.”
The Mercury’s .632 winning percentage is on pace for the franchise’s best since 2014, when Phoenix went 29-5 and won the title.
The organization rebuilt its roster last offseason, saying goodbye to franchise icons Diana Taurasi (retired) and Brittney Griner (signed with Atlanta). In came All-Stars Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas to join Kahleah Copper.
Bringing in veteran guard Sami Whitcomb and finding rookies who have held their own such as Monique Akoa Makani paid dividends, along with the midseason reunion with DeWanna Bonner.
“ There’s a newness to this group … I believe this is only our 15th game with this starting lineup,” Tibbetts said. “We’re playing catch up a little bit to some of the teams that have been around. Obviously adding DeWanna Bonner back to this organization has been a great addition.”
Tibbetts additionally made the MVP case for Thomas, who set the WNBA record for triple-doubles in a season with seven (and counting). Thomas leads the league in assists per game (9.2), is third in rebounds per game (9.0), sixth in shooting percentage (54.1%) and fifth in steals (1.7).
“There’s (Napheesa) Collier and A’ja (Wilson) having great years, too. I think when you talk about MVPs, there’s always gonna be discussion back and forth. But what (Thomas is) doing with the triple-doubles is historic,” Tibbetts said. “No player has ever done this to the level she’s doing it at. She’s leading us defensively also, not just MVP, but I think she should be talked about for Defensive Player of the Year, too. She impacts winning in so many areas.”
The Mercury face the Liberty on Saturday. Their regular season ends on Sept. 11 at the Wings, and the playoffs begin on Sept. 14.
Mercury in WNBA playoff picture
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