The 2024 WNBA does not seem to have yielded a great start for the Phoenix Mercury, having incurred three back-to-back defeats. Since Griner has been sitting out, the Mercury is getting the shortest end on posing a firm defense. However, courtesy of Diana Taurasi, Natasha Cloud, and Kahleah Copper, their offensive is off the charts.

These three were handling today’s game on the frontline with Cloud scoring a team-high 21 points, followed by Copper who added 20, and Taurasi another 14. Sophie Cunningham looked jaded with her threes not making it to the bucket. Including today’s loss, Phoenix is running with a 3-4 record. Had Griner been well and playing, things would have shone for Mercury. On that note, let’s dig into the details related to her preseason injury.

Brittney Griner’s injury and its impact on the Mercury

After Mercury’s preseason 85-59 loss against Storm, Brittney Griner got injured and ended up fracturing her left toe while practicing. This incident led her to sit out the rest of the game and further to not return before revaluation. As a result, the 9x All-Star missed the opening night of the season when the Mercury was going head-to-head against the defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces.

In her preseason matchup, Griner scored 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks within 15 minutes on the floor. Moreover, she shot 2-of-6 field goals and 1-of-2 free throws before she suffered the fracture. This injury wasn’t much of a concern, however, the tables got turned on that one when she showed up riding a scooter with a walking boot to be on the sidelines and watch her team go.

She missed the 2022 season, given her wrongful detention in Russia for almost a year. However, her performance last season looked like a roaring comeback with her averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, o.5 steals, and 1.6 steals per game.

Now her absence from the court this season is keeping the opponents on the get-go and score while Mercury fades to pose an effective defense. On Sunday’s game against the Dallas Wings, Arike Ogunbowale registered a 40-point game with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Followed by Maddy Siegrist who registered 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The threat further persisted with Dijonai Carrington, Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Brionna Jones as Mercury suffered their 3rd loss of the season. Sabrina Ionescu next topped it off with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists, handing Natasha Cloud & Co. 3rd consecutive loss.

“We’ve faced some adversities and injuries already, which is a good and bad thing. We had high expectations for BG. She had them for herself. Unfortunately, an unexpected injury kind of forced our hand to play smaller at times,” coach Nate Tibbetts admitted. However, Griner’s absence could be a blessing in disguise as the team as a whole has stepped up in their roles.

The Phoenix Mercury remastered

Griner has been out indefinitely until she recovers. This has given Mercury a chance to rise to the occasion and it’s not just Taurasi who is carrying the burden. The game against Dallas turned instrumental for Kahleah Copper as her score of team-high 32 points helped her reach a career 3000 points.

Today, she displayed with a chip on her shoulder and scored a 20-point game with 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Veteran Diana Taurasi, on the other hand, followed suit and scored 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. against Dallas.

Meanwhile, Natasha Cloud too has been on the backseat in terms of scoring. However, she is dishing out assists impressively. But, there it is very clear that Mercury needs Griner as the 6-9 guard for a team heavy with forwards. And with her being in recovery, the team has to keep on moving strongly.