Phoenix Mercury reveal opening night roster for 2022 WNBA season

The Phoenix Mercury on Thursday announced their opening night roster ahead of the 2022 WNBA season.

The league’s all-time leading scorer Diana Taurasi, last season’s leading scorer Tina Charles and four-time All-Star Skylar Diggins Smith will be headlining this year’s squad.

Offseason additions such as All-Star wing Diamond DeShields, Kristine Anigwe, Megan Gustafson and Sam Thomas will also feature on the roster.

Additionally, Sophie Cunningham, Kia Nurse, Shey Peddy and Brianna Turner are returning for new head coach and Valley native Vanessa Nygaard.

However, the Mercury have “temporarily suspended” DeShields and Turner until they are able to join the team due to overseas commitments.

Phoenix has also been given a roster exemption and salary cap relief until Brittney Griner returns from Russia.

She was detained upon her arrival in Moscow on Feb. 17 when authorities found vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis — a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.

Griner’s status has been changed to “wrongfully detained” by U.S. officials and she has a hearing scheduled for May 19.

The WNBA also plans on honoring Griner with a decal of her initials and number on every court among the 12 teams in the league.

Phoenix opens the season on Friday at Footprint Center against the Las Vegas Aces at 7 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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