How Bridget Pettis Helped Phoenix During An Excellent Run

Bridget Pettis was one of the Phoenix Mercury's early players, and she was one of their best players during a significant playoff run.

Sep 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; A young female fan holds an official Spalding WNBA basketball during the game between the Phoenix Mercury against the Chicago Sky during game one of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sky 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury made the playoffs early on, as they were one of four teams that made the postseason in 1997. They faced the New York Liberty that year, and the Liberty came out victorious. They beat the Mercury 59-41, and Rebecca Lobo was their leading scorer with 16 points.

June 4, 2010; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom reacts from the sideline while playing the Phoenix Mercury during the second half at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sparks 90-89. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images / Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images

The Mercury were led by Jennifer Gillom and Marlies Askamp. They both had nine points in a game where Phoenix struggled offensively. Regardless, it was a good year, and it was a glimpse of what that team was capable of accomplishing.

Phoenix made the playoffs three times in the first four years, and one of the key players during that time was Bridget Pettis. Pettis was the team's first pick in a special draft, and she averaged 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in her rookie season.

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 Mercury guard also played well during Phoenix's postseasons, and her best year was 1998. Pettis averaged 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals. That was a big year for the Mercury, as it was the first time they reached the WNBA Finals.

Pettis and the Mercury begin playoff journey

Pettis started that run with a solid performance. She had nine points, three assists and a rebound in Phoenix's win over the Cleveland Rockers. The Mercury beat the Rockers 78-68 in that game, and Gillom was the star. She had 21 points, five rebounds and an assist.

Michele Timms was the second-leading scorer, and she had 16 points. She also had three assists and two rebounds. Then, Michelle Brogan had 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Jul 18, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Sparks coach Carol Ross (right) and assistant coach Bridget Pettis react during the game against the Phoenix Mercury at the Staples Center. The Mercury defeated the Sparks 90-84. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cleveland won the next game, as the Rockers picked up a 67-66 win. Pettis had 15 points in that game, and she also had two rebounds and an assist. She was the team's second-leading scorer, as Gillom had another impressive performance. She had 27 points and 10 rebounds. Then, Brogan had 11 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Then, in the final game of that series, Pettis had her best game of that playoff run. She had a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds. She also had five assists. The Mercury beat the Rockers 71-60, and they advanced to the WNBA Finals.

Pettis had some nice games in the Finals, and her best was the last game. She had 13 points, two rebounds and two assists. Phoenix's guard was locked in during that run, and while the Mercury lost, players like Pettis gave it their all.

Please follow us on X to read more about the Mercury and how players performed in the playoffs when you click right here!

feed