Bridget Pettis’ Lasting Impact on the Mercury’s WNBA Finals Journey

The Phoenix Mercury reached the WNBA Finals for the first time, and their first pick in the elite draft helped them get there.

Sep 23, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A general view of a game ball on the court in a game between the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx during game two of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images / Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury are a legendary team, and their greatness started early on. They are one of the original teams of the WNBA, and after finishing their first season with a record of 16-12, they made it to the playoffs.

There were only eight teams at that time, and four of them made the playoffs that season. The Mercury ended up meeting the New York Liberty. The other matchup was between the Houston Comets and the Charlotte Sting.

Oct 13, 2024; Uncasville, Conn, USA; Class of 2024 inductee Michele Timms speaks during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Symphony Hall Springfield. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

Phoenix lost their game, as New York beat them 59-41. The Mercury had some talented players in that first year, as they built their roster around players like Jennifer Gillom, Michele Timms and Bridget Pettis.

Pettis was the first player to score a basket for the Mercury, and she later became one of the players who had their jersey retired. She played with the Mercury from 1997 to 2001, and as a result, she was a part of their early playoff runs.

Project Roots AZ co-founder Bridget Pettis plants lettuce on her incubator farm at Spaces of Opportunity near 12th Avenue and Vineyard on Oct. 17, 2022, in Phoenix. News Dionne Washington Photos For Prop 207 Justice Reinvestment Fund Story / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

When it comes to her best playoff game, it happened during the 1998 season. Pettis had a 27-point game against the Cleveland Rockers. She also had 11 rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block. Pettis was the team's leading scorer, and there were two more players who scored in double figures.

Michelle Brogan had 14 points, nine rebounds, an assist and a steal. Then, Gillom had 11 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Phoenix reaches the WNBA Finals

The Mercury beat the Rockers 71-60 in that game, and their victory led to them reaching the WNBA Finals. They faced the Comets, who ended up beating them 2-1. That was Houston's second championship, and they would goon to win two more. They beat the Liberty the first time around, then the Mercury, and then the Liberty two more times.

Mercury legend Bridget Pettis comes on the court during the Ring of Honor ceremony at the Footprint Center on Saturday, May 18, 2024. / Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 1998 season was Phoenix's first time reaching the Finals, and they would not do so again until 2007. That was the year they won their first championship.

Pettis was a special player, and at different points in her career, she had performances like this. She played well in that game against the Rockers, and she helped Phoenix make it to the big stage. Her contributions were significant, and along with her teammates, she paved the way for Mercury rosters that came after the original group.

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