The dog days of the season are nearly over for the Phoenix Mercury, but not without some complications caused by the upcoming FIBA World Cup break that will make it a 17-day wait for the remaining four games of the WNBA season.
Phoenix (14-26) has already been eliminated from the playoffs, but saw a promising showing from its younger players in the 101-69 win against the Toronto Tempo on Saturday, Aug. 29.
"It's been a frustrating and challenging year for everyone, but this definitely felt great, especially going on the break," coach Nate Tibbetts said.
The Mercury were shorthanded with four players out ahead of the World Cup, including guard Kahleah Copper, guard Kelsey Plum, forward Valeriane Ayayi and center Kyara Linskens.
All four players will
represent their respective countries, with Ayayi representing France, Linskens representing Belgium and Plum and Copper representing the U.S.
Copper was a game-time decision with a left ankle issue and warmed up, but didn't play. Tibbetts said he hopes the two will be healthy enough to play in the World Cup. Team USA’s first game of the World Cup starts at 5:15 a.m. MT on Sept. 4.
The Mercury's rotation had already shifted earlier in the week when forward DeWanna Bonner took a contract buyout on Aug. 24, moving Natasha Mack back to the starting center.
In turn, Mack, Alyssa Thomas and Noemie Brochant were the only veterans remaining in the frontcourt.
At the start of the game, it was veterans like guard Sami Whitcomb running the offense with eight points and 2-for-3 shooting from 3-point range. She finished with a season-high of 14 points and shot 4-for-6 from 3-point range.
But the younger players provided some energy against an injury-depleted Toronto team. Forward Maddy Westbeld showed more awareness in her third game with the Mercury, drawing contact when she couldn't find any open passes and getting to the free-throw line.
Guard Kara Dunn found confidence from the perimeter in her WNBA debut, draining three 3-pointers on three looks in her first seven minutes.
Dunn participated in training camp with the Mercury, but dealt with a lingering knee issue and didn't make the opening-night roster. She returned on a developmental contract on July 26.
"For me, it means a lot because me and Sami share similar journeys this year," Dunn said. "Getting comfortable is important to me and showcasing everything that I can do is just one step, but I was really happy with what I've seen so far."
Guard Shay Ciezki had a better feel for her two-way playmaking in her fourth game, matching Brochant for the team lead in scoring with 15 points, along with five assists.
Tibbetts and his coaching staff have seen the younger players stay in the gym the longest during practice and play for limited minutes.
"It's hard when you're not playing," Tibbetts said. "You got to love it to continue to want to get better. We've got some young players that are doing that, and that's the reason our staff is pouring into them for opportunities like this. It's good to get reps and feel on film instead of in practice."
The Mercury's youth movement resulted in the team hitting a season high of 153-pointers. The Mercury alsoscored 49 bench points and 28 fast-break points.
Phoenix played only the reserves in the fourth quarter and went scoreless for nearly five minutes, but eventually reached the 100-point mark for the fifth time this season.
Tibbetts and Hannah Wengertsman, the team's trainer, will head to Berlin as part of Team USA's staff for the World Cup.
The Mercury players not heading to Germany will take a full week off, then return for four to five days of individual workouts with the remaining staff, as they await the return of Tibbetts, Copper, Plum, Ayayi and Linskens.
Once the rest of the team returns, there will be two or three practices before the team heads to Portland on Sept. 17.
"It's nice to get a little bit of time to go home and be with family, to do whatever you want to do and reset," Whitcomb said. "And obviously, we'll come back and still have time to get on court and keep working and keep building and doing all of the things we want to do. We take these last four games seriously, and we want to maximize those reps on court together and what we're trying to build for next year."
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mercury sees younger players develop ahead of World Cup break
