{"id":628100,"date":"2026-05-07T03:32:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T03:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/628100\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T03:32:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T03:32:36","slug":"mercury-reload-from-wnba-finals-loss-talk-2026-disrespect-motivation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/628100\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercury reload from WNBA Finals loss, talk 2026 disrespect, motivation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/players\/5626\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kahleah Copper;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Kahleah Copper&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kahleah Copper<\/a> is familiar with the euphoria of winning a WNBA title and the gut-punch of losing one.<\/p>\n<p>Five months after the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/phoenix\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Phoenix Mercury;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Phoenix Mercury&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Phoenix Mercury<\/a> were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/las-vegas\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Las Vegas Aces;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Las Vegas Aces&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Las Vegas Aces<\/a> in the WNBA Finals, the 11-year veteran Copper spoke at the Mercury&#8217;s media day on May 6 at Mortgage Matchup Center about her third season in Phoenix.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>She described playing in Phoenix as &#8220;paradise,&#8221; and was asked by a reporter if this past offseason drove her to return to the Finals.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I just got swept, right? We just got swept,&#8221; Copper bluntly replied. &#8220;You would have some motivation, too, right?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After the sweep, Copper corralled her teammates into a huddle on their home court \u2014 coincidentally, the same court she earned the 2021 Finals MVP after leading the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/chicago\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chicago Sky;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Chicago Sky&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Sky<\/a> over Phoenix \u2014 so the Mercury would be driven by that agony after their unexpected run.<\/p>\n<p>Mercury third-year coach Nate Tibbetts said a return to the Finals is the goal, despite being placed at a modest No. 7 in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/wnba\/story\/_\/id\/48657250\/2026-wnba-season-preview-preseason-power-rankings-predictions-bpi-opening-day-odds-playoffs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:ESPN&#039;s WNBA preseason power team rankings.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;ESPN&#039;&quot;}\" class=\"link \">ESPN&#8217;s WNBA preseason power team rankings.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8137d401f72ed1217c87d32a83279e8b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>1 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/e9b0504f95a5cf7545a72deae5e2dfbd.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2ad63a216d2c85630fa347d9b136f24a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>3 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/157fbf355f5ccb6c630a1266be02ec20.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>4 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3366eccc5914eb4e2bc7e4978f0710c0.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>5 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/18d4cfe172718822287383ea5a1558df.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>6 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b24a40b0b065c825f2160a48aad157f1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>7 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4ec4c798f4d28eb333fa769c7f3ea0b7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>8 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Noemie Brochant poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3850027e1d737d0eca22b57973aa0c56.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>9 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kiana Williams poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/13880e09f14eea594e3457688c71c6f9.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>10 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Peyton Williams poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/27da738e965d1727bdf67a0340925cf7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>11 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury center Natasha Mack poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/bcbcc039639bc64d761fe429cf20ef93.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>12 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury center Natasha Mack poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/29521de3c2d0c35b68eadf7f80bb1bdb.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>13 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a7aa067f8992000c8fe7e301666caa09.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>14 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/031b99c5089301f77611a67181eafbe4.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>15 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a15f096571bd4946f2c3a84dc096a63c.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>16 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/44d02a545cd6026ebe4f41f17bbabd27.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>17 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kiana Williams poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6e624ff95d0d22537f0c727dfab94b9b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>18 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4efde7757cc5c9d3280cb0203b887566.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>19 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f3bc6e7bb5a8f834164ec9f78441a705.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>20 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7e0bca66a3b31631834e1f189e433538.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>21 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/229dc66ecd24d41a8bd140f72b2f837e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>22 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/530b3880b8b02881d888459f45ba419f.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>23 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/e3e85a3cb9a9b5e79b02150f27632824.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>24 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/62625113428dba7838e8cd368e31ce1b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>25 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Noemie Brochant poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ed5eb9b8b95efc2ac64e99b91d8cd8e3.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>26 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forwards DeWanna Bonner (L) and Alyssa Thomas poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ea5a1e9f3be8259f1fe64aa4d668c73e.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>27 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Peyton Williams poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4172e95b4e44c1816a0aa8ef95ef4a1b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>28 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kiana Williams poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f7d8b3cee47e6b6d9b6fb6a1cef1423a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>29 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/e30518206153a0fb304ca54cedeb4aa6.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>30 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/b7c5f83c87bdcfeacaf78b62738b1686.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>31 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kiana Williams poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/fc394ffeb67e82498a607c838c07d9be.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>32 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ee98d49fd0beba21c1705dcdd908cd69.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>33 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury center Natasha Mack poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/982e86cb1e806170fa3dca7de24ec7d1.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>34 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/235b5aeccdc42b93cdb9deda5abb814f.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>35 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Noemie Brochant poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/231d3e8dbe447e69f5614c8fd4bc4f38.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>36 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury center Kyara Linskens poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c852267929dd2486b676ec4bd36b8c56.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>37 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/d049c1907b7a21b6b92b8ec39e784fa6.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>38 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8a5bde9a31210b66146a5273a51185c7.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>39 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/55f9b80782a04912d53fe95db16a3ce3.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>40 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a0794373d1a522f939d186d5afd6e4e4.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>41 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/038b4508a955a4d680da442834f1d9ac.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>42 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/512125ecd2cffd58f756aa4e6d24024b.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>43 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Valeriane Ayayi poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c79a0b07e56cd6ef088d8afba23530da.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>44 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury center Natasha Mack poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/c0493ba25bdac5e77fc5d4517efa5e22.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>45 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury center Kyara Linskens poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1f5b50738b4f70caef8e10de4d0726be.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>46 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Peyton Williams poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/819f48f5ee2719a2f9ee13cb0a8ec5e9.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>47 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/261340e4064d8e926d2470c11b053fe5.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>48 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4505b06d779284b1d278a8253a66fd91.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>49 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5fbc8c80e3d2f021d0bdc27a202fd6ad.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>50 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/37858b8034322f59e445b452b84262da.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>51 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/49cd0b6c2d3f8a171ae1c457839ab955.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>52 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/da4fdc0abbad2815be2063bde538d7e3.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>53 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2fffe8197f4336d8783a675c90479be4.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>54 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/212950472ae4f069a7ec8cf2b03deba8.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>55 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/9e778ac98c6e6d46218c28e14efd5617.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>56 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7604b54c7c6070a0bb1a29fb1af64ffe.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>57 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Kahleah Copper poses for a portrait during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"cropped-img\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/8e040cbefffdacb105cb53ff8393b51a.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>58 \/ 58<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 Phoenix Mercury media day photoshoot<\/p>\n<p>Mercury guard Sha Carter poses for a picture during the Phoenix Mercury media day in Phoenix, on May 6, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur expectations are always going to be bigger than what the national media thinks,&#8221; Tibbetts said. &#8220;No one expected us to be there last year in the WNBA Finals. I saw this morning some national media picked us to be the seventh-best team in our league.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;When we look in the mirror, we don\u2019t see that. We see a team that\u2019s playing for a championship.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Mercury All-Star <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/players\/5190\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Alyssa Thomas;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Alyssa Thomas&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Alyssa Thomas<\/a>, now in her second year with the team, and teammate <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/players\/4565\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:DeWanna Bonner;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;DeWanna Bonner&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">DeWanna Bonner<\/a> lost to the Aces in the 2022 Finals when they played for the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/connecticut\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Connecticut Sun;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Connecticut Sun&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Connecticut Sun<\/a>. Now they&#8217;re ready to prove naysayers wrong again in 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNobody expected us to be there,&#8221; Thomas said. &#8220;We had a lot of people on our team who were first time in the W, first time going through playoffs. I don\u2019t think you can prepare people enough for how hard playoffs is.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We had a great first two rounds, but Finals is the hardest part of the game, which is why a lot of people don\u2019t make it there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>New &#8220;life-changing&#8221; CBA<\/p>\n<p>The Mercury players have a lot more to smile about financially.<\/p>\n<p>Mercury general manager Nick U&#8217;Ren said it&#8217;s a &#8220;point of pride&#8221; being part of the Mercury&#8217;s 30th season, but is happier that players are getting &#8220;everything they deserve&#8221; from the new CBA.<\/p>\n<p>The league salary cap went from $1.5 million in 2025 to $7 million in a new revenue-sharing model in which players receive 20% of gross revenue over the life of the deal. The average player salary jumped from $102,000 to $583,000.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have two kids, so just love that they\u2019re going to be taken care of,&#8221; Bonner said. &#8220;Knowing that I can not really sit back and not work, but also you don\u2019t have to worry. &#8230; You put your body on the line, you do a lot of things to make sure you stay here, also to be rewarded for it. It\u2019s amazing to see.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Bonner added that she was \u201cemotional\u201d waking up to breaking news stories about players such as the Las Vegas Aces\u2019 four-time MVP <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/players\/5912\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:A\u2019ja Wilson;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;A\u2019ja Wilson&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A\u2019ja Wilson<\/a>, <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/minnesota\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Minnesota Lynx;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Minnesota Lynx&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota Lynx<\/a>\u2019s <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/players\/6023\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Napheesa Collier;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Napheesa Collier&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Napheesa Collier<\/a> and <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/dallas\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Dallas Wings;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Dallas Wings&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dallas Wings<\/a>\u2019 Arika Ogunbowale signing \u201clife-changing\u201d million-dollar contracts.<\/p>\n<p>Whitcomb injury<\/p>\n<p>Shortly before media day began, the Mercury announced that Whitcomb, one of their top 3-point shooters (36.1% in 2025) will undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body in her left knee. She will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Tibbetts and Whitcomb explained that it&#8217;s not a lingering injury, but she heard an &#8220;unusual&#8221; pop in her knee during practice earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Tibbetts credited Whitcomb as the \u201cultimate leader\u201d and a \u201cbig part of our culture.\u201d U&#8217;Ren said the team is just glad her injury is not worse.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas-Bonner connection, Sabally exit<\/p>\n<p>The Mercury&#8217;s former leading scorer, <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/players\/6359\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Satou Sabally;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Satou Sabally&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Satou Sabally<\/a>, joined the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/new-york\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:New York Liberty;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;New York Liberty&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Liberty<\/a> during the league&#8217;s truncated free agency period in April.<\/p>\n<p>Thomas feels fortunate to be reunited with Bonner for her first full season back in Phoenix, after they were one of the league&#8217;s more dynamic tandems in Connecticut from 2020-24.<\/p>\n<p>Bonner was released by <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/wnba\/teams\/indiana\/\" data-i13n=\"sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link\" data-ylk=\"slk:Indiana;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Indiana&quot;,&quot;ySubModuleName&quot;:&quot;anchor_text&quot;,&quot;yHasCommerce&quot;:false}\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana<\/a> after just nine games played in June 2025. Thomas said she didn&#8217;t &#8220;feel we go as far without her,&#8221; when Bonner averaged 9.1 points and Phoenix&#8217;s third-best 6.8 rebounds off the bench during the playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>Copper called Bonner&#8217;s locker room presence a &#8220;breath of fresh air.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Thomas said that the Mercury will &#8220;continue to be a defensive team\u201d this season (tied for fourth with New York in defensive rating in 2025). Bonner said playing with Thomas means &#8220;you better play defense&#8221; with her as one of the league&#8217;s best on that end of the floor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Tips or story ideas? Email sports reporter Dana Scott at <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/mailto:jason.wolf@usatodayco.com\" data-ylk=\"slk:dana.scott@azcentral.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;dana.scott@azcentral.com&quot;}\" class=\"link \" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">dana.scott@azcentral.com<\/a>. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jasonwolf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:@mr_danascott;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;@mr_danascott&quot;}\" class=\"link \">@mr_danascott<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Please support local journalism. <a href=\"https:\/\/subscribe.azcentral.com\/offers?gps-source=CPNEWS&amp;itm_medium=onsite&amp;itm_source=TAGLINE&amp;itm_campaign=NEWSROOM&amp;itm_content=JASONWOLF\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Start your online subscription today!;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Start your online subscription today!&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Start your online subscription today!<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"\">Sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/profile.azcentral.com\/newsletters\/azcentral-preps-now\/?ipid=phxhs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:AZCentral Preps Now;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;AZCentral Preps Now&quot;}\" class=\"link \">AZCentral Preps Now<\/a>. And be sure to subscribe to our <a href=\"https:\/\/profile.azcentral.com\/newsletters\/manage\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:daily sports newsletters;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;daily sports newsletters&quot;}\" class=\"link \">daily sports newsletters<\/a> so you don\u2019t miss a thing!<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcentral.com\/story\/sports\/wnba\/mercury\/2026\/05\/06\/phoenix-mercury-wnba-finals-alyssa-thomas-dewanna-bonner-satou-sabally-kahleah-copper-2026-media-day\/89968912007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Mercury reload from WNBA Finals loss, talk new CBA at 2026 media day;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Mercury reload from WNBA Finals loss, talk new CBA at 2026 media day&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Mercury reload from WNBA Finals loss, talk new CBA at 2026 media day<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kahleah Copper is familiar with the euphoria of winning a WNBA title and the gut-punch of losing one.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":628101,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[650,15447,438,4384,2834,11649,4129,2652,16802,4677,1077,3250,16804,436,5551,16808,99,72774,271731,434,38265],"class_list":["post-628100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-aja-wilson","tag-alyssa-thomas","tag-chicago-sky","tag-connecticut-sun","tag-dallas-wings","tag-dewanna-bonner","tag-fever","tag-indiana","tag-kahleah-copper","tag-las-vegas-aces","tag-minnesota-lynx","tag-napheesa-collier","tag-nate-tibbetts","tag-new-york-liberty","tag-phoenix-mercury","tag-satou-sabally","tag-sports","tag-the-mercury","tag-whitcomb","tag-wnba","tag-wnba-finals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=628100"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/628100\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/628101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=628100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=628100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=628100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}