Mercury Make The Playoffs, Suns Continue To Struggle

The Phoenix Mercury made the playoffs in 2016, and the Phoenix Suns were still trying to get to that point.

Mercury's Leilani Mitchell (5) and Brittany Griner (42) double-team Liberty's Tina Charles (31) during the first half at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. on Aug. 19, 2018. 865709002 / Patrick Breen/The Republic

The 2016 season was yet another playoff appearance for the Phoenix Mercury, and it was their fourth in a row since missing them in 2012.

Phoenix finished the season with a record of 16-18, and the season started with a losing streak. The Mercury faced the Minnesota Lynx in their first game, and the Lynx beat them 95-76. That was a rough game for Phoenix, but the team had four players who scored in double figures.

WNBA All-Star Diana Taurasi reflects on her 20 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury during a retirement news conference at the Phoenix Mercury's practice facility on March 13, 2025. / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Diana Taurasi was the leader, and she had 18 points. She contributed in other areas, as she had six assists, three steals and two rebounds. Penny Taylor had 13 points, three rebounds, three steals and an assist. Brittney Griner had 12 points, five rebounds, two blocks and an assist. Then, DeWanna Bonner had 10 points and five rebounds.

The Mercury lost to the Indiana Fever, the Seattle Storm and the Lynx before getting a win over the Washington Mystics. They beat the Mystics 93-77, and Taurasi had another strong performance. She had 28 points, four rebounds and an assist.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) wait to check in to the game on Sept. 5, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix. / Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Outside of Taurasi, there were three other players who scored in double figures. Candice Dupree had 16 points, three rebounds and two assists. Bonner had 14 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal. Then, Griner had 13 points, four rebounds and two blocks.

Phoenix continued to play well throughout the season, and its last regular-season matchup was a win over the San Antonio Stars. The Mercury beat the Stars 81-65, and Taurasi had 18 points, Griner had 15 points, Dupree had 12 points and Bonner had 10.

Sep 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) celebrates with teammates Penny Taylor (13) and DeWanna Bonner (24) after making a basket while being fouled by the Chicago Sky in the fourth quarter in game three of the 2014 WNBA Finals at UIC Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images / Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Mercury begin playoff journey

The Mercury faced the Fever in the first round, and Taurasi led them to victory. The star guard had 20 points, and there were four more players who scored 10 or more points. Bonner and Griner both had 18 points, and Dupree and Taylor both had 12. Phoenix beat Indiana 89-78, and after that, the Mercury beat the New York Liberty 101-94. That was another single-elimination game, and when Phoenix faced the Lynx, it was a series.

Minnesota won that series, and the Lynx headed to the WNBA Finals. Overall, it was a solid year for the Mercury, and they went on a nice playoff run.

When it came to the Mercury's NBA counterpart, the season was a struggle. The Phoenix Suns finished with a record of 24-58. Devin Booker was in his second season, and he averaged 22.1 points, 3.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds.

Booker was making a name for himself, and while his team was still rebuilding, he was a bright spot. The Mercury and the Suns were in different spaces, and Taurasi and her teammates kept making the playoffs.

Please follow us on X to read more about the Mercury's 2016 season and how they performed during that period when you click right here!

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