Phoenix Moves The Ball In Taylor's Final Season

The Phoenix Mercury were once again a playoff team in 2016, and their playmaking helped them get to that point.

Jul 24, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner (24) looks to pass around Minnesota Score guard Seimone Augustus (33) in the first half at Target Center. The Lynx defeated the Mercury 81-69. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-Imagn Images / Marilyn Indahl-Imagn Images

In 2016, the Phoenix Mercury made the playoffs for the fourth time in a row. They finished the season with a record of 16-18, and they faced the Indiana Fever in the first round. They beat the Fever 89-78, and Diana Taurasi had 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and a block.

Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) reacts against the Indiana Fever at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Phoenix had four more players who scored in double figures, and Taurasi and her teammates advanced. They beat the New York Liberty in the next round, and they lost to the Minnesota Lynx after that.

Overall, it was a good year for the Mercury, and they were a solid playmaking team. They finished the season with a total of 571 assists. The leader in that area was none other than their All-Star guard.

Taurasi dished out 128 assists, and her season high happened in a game against the Connecticut Sun. She had nine assists, and the Mercury picked up their second win of the season.

Sep 12, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) passes the ball away from Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) during the first quarter in game three of the 2014 WNBA Finals at UIC Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images / Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Phoenix's star was known for her scoring, but as the 2016 season showed, she knew how to get her teammates involved. She was willing to do whatever it took to win, and if that meant dishing to her teammates, she was more than capable of doing it.

Taylor goes out on a good note

The All-Star was the only player who had at least 100 assists that year, but a few of her teammates came close. Penny Taylor was second on the list, and she dished out 89 assists. In what was her final season, the Mercury forward had some strong playmaking performances. For example, she had 10 assists against the Lynx. Phoenix lost that game, but Taylor's play kept her team in it.

Sep 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor (13) passes the ball 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

Another All-Star was third in assists, as DeWanna Bonner had a total of 83 that year. Her best outing was against the Atlanta Dream, and she had seven assists.

Candice Dupree was next on the list, and she had 61 assists. She had her high against the Dream, and she had five assists in her team's win. Then, Lindsey Harding was fifth, and she had a total of 44 assists. She had five against the Washington Mystics, who she spent time with earlier in her career.

The Mercury had a nice season, and when they shared the ball, they were at their best.

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