Now that the Mercury are healthier, Westbeld and Akoa Makani have remained starters, while Laksa and Akoa Makani are emerging as two of the league\u2019s premier 3-point shooters. Held was also immensely valuable before suffering a pneumothorax on June 19, and after missing the last eight games, is expected to return Wednesday against the Atlanta Dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re great players, and I knew what we had in our rookies, just nobody else knew and understood,\u201d Copper told media in June. \u201cI had been practicing with them, so I knew what they were capable of, but I\u2019m definitely excited for what they\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the season, the Mercury have become skilled at blocking out the noise, positive or negative. Their internal narrative has been defined by mottos such as \u201cMercury Vibes Only\u201d and \u201cUS >>>>>>.\u201d <\/p>\n
Those unifying statements have created a \u201cMercury vs Everybody\u201d <\/a>mentality.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Nate kind of started that, really, at the beginning of the season, just kind of saying, like \u2018This is about us,\u2019 and it really has been,\u201d Westbeld said in late June. \u201cI feel like [when] we started out, people kind of doubted our abilities. They said we work hard, but they haven\u2019t really said how good we are, how skilled we are, how good we are as a team. So it really is us against everyone else. And I think keeping it kind of in house like that, it\u2019s really special, because we\u2019ve been able to build such a bond just within our team.\u201d<\/p>\n With the Mercury set to resume play Wednesday, the team is arguably stronger than ever. Head coach Nate Tibbetts expects to see the return of Copper and Sabally, who missed the last four games with a right ankle injury, respectively, in addition to Held.<\/p>\n On July 8, the team bolstered its roster by signing<\/a> wing DeWanna Bonner<\/a>, who, in three games played, is averaging 13.3 points on 53.8% shooting from the field and 44.4% from three<\/a>, in addition to 6.0 rebounds per game and 2.0 assists.<\/p>\n \u201cShe just brings an easiness to the group,\u201d Tibbetts said of Bonner after the team\u2019s win over the Golden State Valkyries on July 14 in which she finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds. \u201cShe\u2019s seen everything. This is year 16. \u2026 She just makes plays. She\u2019s never in a hurry, and she doesn\u2019t even really know all of our sets yet. We\u2019re kind of learning as we go. \u2026 But yeah, just a veteran presence that has seen anything. She\u2019s won championships, she\u2019s been in big games, and this group needed that piece.\u201d<\/p>\n Tune in to Locked On Women\u2019s Basketball<\/p>\n Here at The Next, in addition to the 24\/7\/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women\u2019s Basketball<\/a> podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.<\/p>\n As the back half of the season progresses, experience from Bonner and other players on the roster could be crucial. Phoenix has already played a number of close games<\/a> \u2013 14 of their 22 games have been decided by less than 10 points \u2013 with many having atmosphere compared to playoff settings.<\/p>\n Tibbetts and the players have previously spoken about the importance of these types of games happening early in the season and closer to the midpoint, with some coming at home and some being on the road. That preparation could be the difference-maker down the stretch when the postseason arrives.<\/p>\n \u201cI think early on the season, we\u2019ve had a couple [close games] at home,\u201d Thomas said at Golden State. \u201cWe have a lot of lot of rookies, so we\u2019ve had a lot of rookie mistakes early on. Definitely proud of how we grew today and stayed composed down the stretch. Of course, we need to do a better job not letting them get the shots off, but to not foul, to execute our offense and not turn the ball over. It\u2019s a huge, huge growth for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Health will play a large factor in whether or not the Mercury reach their ultimate goal, yet they\u2019ve already proven their ability to compete while unhealthy. Only Westbeld has played in all 22 games this season. Thomas, Copper and Sabally have only played together in six games, and still the Mercury are just four wins short of their total from last season.<\/p>\n![\"Locked](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753300988_700_locked-on-wbb-ad.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n