How Trisha Fallon Impacted The Mercury's Season

The Phoenix Mercury had a difficult 2001 season, but a talented international player helped them get wins.

The Phoenix Mercury get ready to host the Indiana Fever on June 30, 2024, at Footprint Center in Phoenix. / Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Phoenix Mercury have added talented players over the years, and some of them joined the team at a crucial time. The Mercury were a great team in their early years, and after the 2000 season, things began to change.

Phoenix missed the playoffs in 2001, and that drought continued for a few seasons. They added players, and some of them were bright spots during that difficult time.

Trisha Fallon was one of the players the Mercury added, and she started her career with the Minnesota Lynx.

Jan 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury mascot Scorch at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Fallon was a second-round pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft, and in her season with the Lynx, she played 26 games. She was a reserve, and she averaged three points during that time.

After that, she was traded to the Mercury in a deal that included Adia Barnes and Tonya Edwards. Phoenix gave up Marlies Askamp, Angela Aycock and Kristi Harrower.

Fallon did not play in the 2000 season, as she represented Australia in the Olympics. Then, in 2001, she suited up for the Mercury, and she had a nice season. She averaged 10.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals. She was one of three players who averaged at least 10 points that season, and Jennifer Gillom was the leader.

Aug 9, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Sparks coach Jennifer Gillom during the game against the Indiana Fever at the Staples Center. The Fever defeated the Sparks 82-76. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Gillom averaged 12.3 points that year, and Maria Stepanova averaged 10.4. Fallon had some strong performances that season, and her best was a 24-point game against the Portland Fire. The Mercury hosted the Fire, and they beat them 73-62.

Fallon leads team to victory

Fallon was the leading scorer in that game, and she did it off the bench. On top of her 24 points, she had five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Sep 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; A Wilson Evo NXT official WNBA basketball on the court at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Mercury had three more players who scored in double figures. Stepanova was the second-leading scorer, and she had 13 points. She also had four rebounds and three blocks. Then, Gillom and Lisa Harrison both had 11 points.

Phoenix's 2001 was one of its worst, but having a player like Fallon made things better. That was her last WNBA season, but she made it a good one. Fallon is a part of Mercury history, and her performance against the Fire gave that year's team its 12th win. That was one of the positives, and she helped the team end its challenging season on a decent note.

Please follow us on X to read more about past Mercury players like Trisha Fallon when you click right here!

feed