PHOENIX MERCURY

Phoenix Mercury’s season ends in Las Vegas after playoff loss to Aces

Aug 20, 2022, 8:06 PM | Updated: Aug 21, 2022, 7:31 pm

The Phoenix Mercury’s 2022 season came to an end on Saturday night with a 117-80 loss to the Las Vegas Aces in Game 2 of the first-round series.

After battling their way into the postseason as the No. 8 seed, the Mercury fell in back-to-back road games in Las Vegas as the Aces completed the series sweep.

It must be stated, however, that Phoenix was a heavy underdog coming into Game 2 with the likes of guards Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal reasons), Diana Taurasi (right quad) and Shey Peddy (right Achilles tendon) all ruled out prior to tip-off.

Not to mention the absence of center Brittney Griner for the entirety of the season due to her imprisonment in Russia after being arrested in February for bringing cannabis oil vape cartridges into the airport, which weighed heavily on the team all year.

Forward Kaela Davis led the way for the Mercury with 23 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal in 30 minutes played off the bench.

Phoenix guard Diamond DeShields also added 21 points, two assists, two steals and one board in 22 minutes. No other Mercury player was in double figures.

Compare that to the Aces, who had all but one starter reach the 10-plus points mark, with guards Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum leading the way with 27 and 22 points, respectively. Gray also had a game-high eight assists.

Scottsdale native and Phoenix head coach Vanessa Nygaard finished her first season at the helm with a 15-21 regular-season record.

Phoenix Mercury

Destiny Slocum #24 of the Las Vegas Aces looks to pass around Bria Hartley #14 of the Phoenix Mercu...
Wills Rice

Mercury add guards Slocum, Sutton to training camp contracts

The Phoenix Mercury announced Thursday the team has signed guards Destiny Slocum and Sug Sutton to training camp contracts.
18 days ago
Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Three of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Desert ...
Arizona Sports

ESPN to televise Brittney Griner’s 1st games back on court with Mercury

Brittney Griner's return to basketball for the Phoenix Mercury will be aired on national TV, the team announced on Wednesday. 
20 days ago
Guard Shey Peddy #11 of the Phoenix Mercury dribbles the ball during the fourth quarter against the...
Kellan Olson

Phoenix Mercury re-sign guard Shey Peddy

The Phoenix Mercury announced on Sunday morning they have re-signed guard Shey Peddy, the latest returnee coming back to Phoenix in free agency.
30 days ago
From left to right: Jerry Colangelo, Dan Bickley, Michael Bidwill and Vince Marotta on Tuesday, Feb...
Kevin Zimmerman

The Cardinals bring fresh voices and more Newsmaker Week 2023 highlights

Bickley & Marotta welcomed 25 guests representing Arizona's teams and events to their show on Tuesday through Friday. So what did we learn?
1 month ago
Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner (42) shoots over Seattle Storm's Mercedes Russell in the first ha...
Arizona Sports

Mercury’s Brittney Griner works out in front of media Thursday

For the first time since her release from Russian custody, Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner was playing basketball in front of cameras.
1 month ago
Phoenix Mercury GM Jim Pitman in the Arizona Sports studio on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023. (Jeremy Sch...
Kevin Zimmerman

GM: Mercury prepared for heavy media coverage this upcoming season

A still image of Brittney Griner back on the Mercury's practice court Wednesday drew nearly 1 million views on Twitter alone.
1 month ago
Phoenix Mercury’s season ends in Las Vegas after playoff loss to Aces