The Phoenix Mercury, established in 1997, is one of the original franchises of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and is not a part of the League Expansion teams that were introduced later. It is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Over the years, the Mercury has been home to some of the most iconic players in women’s basketball, including Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. Taurasi, often referred to as the “White Mamba,” as she played a character of the namesake in the movie Space Jam: A New Legacy in 2021, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players of all time, while Griner is known for her incredible defensive skills and dunking ability. The Mercury has won three WNBA championships, in 2007, 2009, and 2014, showcasing a blend of experienced and young talent.
How many times has the Phoenix Mercury made the playoffs?
The Phoenix Mercury have qualified for the WNBA playoffs 17 times in their history. These playoff appearances are spread across different decades, which proves that the team is a force to reckon with in the league. The Mercury’s playoff run is composed of five WNBA Finals appearances in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2021.
Phoenix Mercury Playoff Record
The Phoenix Mercury have qualified for the WNBA playoffs 17 times, have won three championships, and have been to the finals five times. It has been to the finals five times in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2021 with championships won in 2007, 2009 and 2014. Some of the greatest players in the history of the game such as Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner have played for the franchise and have been instrumental in their playoff runs.
Number of conference finals won
The Phoenix Mercury have won the conference finals five times. They won the Conference Finals in 1998, 2007, 2009, 2014 and 2021.
Number of WNBA championships won
The Phoenix Mercury have won three WNBA championships, showcasing their dominance in the league. Below is a detailed account of the years they have won the coveted title and the finals results;
| Year | Head Coach | Against | Finals Score |
| 2007 | Paul Westhead | Detroit Shock | 3-2 |
| 2009 | Corey Gaines | Indiana Fever | 3-2 |
| 2014 | Sandy Brondello | Chicago Sky | 3-0 |
Phoenix Mercury's Last Playoff Appearance
The Phoenix Mercury’s last appearance in the WNBA Playoffs was in 2022. In the first round they played against the Las Vegas Aces but they could not proceed to the next round, they lost the series. Even though the Mercury tried their best, they were defeated by the Aces who beat them 0-2 in the First Round of the Playoffs.
What is the biggest playoff series comeback in the Phoenix Mercury history?
Arguably one of the largest playoff series comebacks for Phoenix Mercury was in the 2007 WNBA Finals. The Mercury was up against the Detroit Shock and they were trailing 2-1 in the best-of-five games series. The Mercury as underdogs demonstrated a lot of heart and fight throughout the series. They were able to win the fourth game on the road, thus extending the series to the fifth and final game. The Mercury won the last game with 108-92 and won the Franchise’s first WNBA title since their inception in 1997.
FAQs
A. The Phoenix Mercury's latest appearance in the WNBA Finals was in 2021.
A. The Phoenix Mercury has had a history of big rivalry with the Seattle Storm as they have had very competitive matchups in their history.
A. Yes, the Phoenix Mercury have won 3 WNBA Championship titles in 2007, 2009 and 2014.
A. The Phoenix Mercury have won a total of 14 Playoff Series Wins in the WNBA, as of September 2024.
