Sabally Shines as Mercury Surge Despite Injuries
Phoenix Forward Leads Team to Winning Record, Awaits Teammatesโ Return
Despite a roster brimming with rookies and key players sidelined, the Phoenix Mercury are experiencing a resurgence, largely thanks to the stellar play of forward Satou Sabally. The teamโs 6-4 start marks their best record through ten games since 2020.
A Fresh Start in the Valley
Acquired in an offseason trade from the Dallas Wings, Sabally has quickly become a focal point for the Mercury. Sheโs embraced the opportunity, finding a renewed sense of purpose after a challenging previous season.
โLast year was one of the hardest years Iโve faced,โ
Sabally shared after a recent loss to the Seattle Storm. โHaving great people around you is important.โ
Statistical Dominance
Sabally is currently averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. This impressive output is particularly notable considering sheโs already played five more games than she did all of last season with the Wings. According to Statista, the average points per game for a WNBA forward in 2024 was 16.8, putting Sabally well above the league average. Statista
Rookie Contributions and Coaching Perspective
Crawford McKinstry/Cronkite News)The Mercury have relied heavily on undrafted rookies Monique Akoa-Makani, Kathryn Westbeld, and Lexi Held to fill crucial roles while starters recover from injuries. Coach Nate Tibbetts expressed both pride and a desire for further improvement.
โIโm super proud of our group. Weโre missing three starters,โ
โNate Tibbetts, Coach
Tibbetts added, โIโm extremely happy. Iโm not satisfied. I donโt think any of us are. But I do like where we are, and I think help is coming.โ
Looking Ahead
Alyssa Thomas is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Wings after a calf injury sidelined her for five games. Assistant coach Michael Joiner emphasized the teamโs cautious approach to Saballyโs workload.
โSatou loves basketball. She loves to be out there,โ
Joiner said. โWe donโt want to break her down or run her into the ground. But sheโs been great for us. Offensively, sheโs starting to see the game, so sheโs playing really well.โ
Sabally and the Mercury will continue their homestand against the Wings before traveling to Las Vegas to face the Aces on Sunday. Sabally expressed her excitement about playing in front of the Phoenix crowd.
โIโm really excited to play in front of our home crowd,โ
Sabally stated. โI feel like I really take it game by game and itโs just a regular game, but Iโm excited to see the people.โ