Mercury forward Rebecca Allen’s past trials offer hope after Olympics injury

PHOENIX – Australia continues its Olympics journey without star Rebecca Allen due to a hamstring injury. Despite the setback, past trials provide hope that the Phoenix Mercury forward will bounce back stronger.

Phoenix Mercury and Australian National Team guard Rebecca Allen withdraws from the Olympics due to a hamstring injury. (Photo by Shirell Washington/Cronkite News)

WNBA’s international appeal lures players and fans as the women’s game explodes in popularity

PHOENIX – Athletes who have played basketball overseas and fans from around the world weigh in on how the WNBA's impressive growth brings them together.

Josie Dumlao, second from left, and Andrea Martinez, second from right, pose with Sue Bird, center, at WNBA Live, highlighting the league's commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Martinez)

Photo essay: 2024 WNBA All-Star weekend recap, from practice to the game

PHOENIX – All-Star weekend brought players and fans to Phoenix for a two-day event filled with practices, fan festivities, skills exhibitions and Saturday’s matchup between Team WNBA and Team USA.


Golden goal: Mercury players, Team USA pack lessons from WNBA All-Star weekend for Paris Olympics

PHOENIX – Phoenix Mercury teammates Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi emphasize the importance of building team chemistry as they prepare with Team USA for the upcoming Olympics, following lessons learned from Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game.

Phoenix Mercury stars Brittney Griner, left, and Kahleah Copper turn their attention from the 2024 WNBA regular season to winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller set to lead WNBA All-Stars in Phoenix homecoming at 2024 All-Star game

PHOENIX – Cheryl Miller, basketball legend and former Mercury coach, returns to Phoenix to coach Team WNBA against the U.S. Women’s National Team in Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game.

Cheryl Miller returns to the Footprint Center Saturday in the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, this time as head coach of Team WNBA All-Stars. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

WNBA stars Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones showcase evolving centers in All-Star Skills Challenge

PHOENIX – Brittney Griner and Jonquel Jones headlined the skills challenge and 3-point competition for WNBA All-Star weekend Friday night. The two discussed what it means to participate in the competition as bigs and hope the moment serves a purpose bigger than themselves.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner showcases why she's a six-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist in Friday's All-Star Skills Challenge. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

Phoenix Mercury unveil Diana Taurasi Courts at new cutting-edge $100 million practice facility

PHOENIX – The Mercury unveiled two courts named after WNBA legend Diana Tauras at their new state-of-the-art $100 million practice facility in downtown Phoenix.

Phoenix Mercury guard and WNBA icon Diana Taurasi addressed the crowd Thursday at the unveiling of the courts named in her honor. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Mercury)

Valley artist collaborates with Phoenix Mercury to design mural commemorating 2024 WNBA All-Star Game

PHOENIX — Local artist Antoinette Cauley collaborated with the Phoenix Mercury to design a mural featured at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex. The team refurbished four basketball courts at the complex as part of their community initiatives commemorating the WNBA All-Star game.

The design highlights Mercury players like Diana Taurasi and Brittany Griner alongside a silhouette of a Jr. Mercury Legacy League member. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)

‘Philly Special’: Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper’s hometown grit reshaping Phoenix Mercury’s culture

PHOENIX – Philadelphia natives Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper are transforming the Phoenix Mercury with their resilient play and shared hometown bond.

Natasha Cloud (left) and Kahleah Copper (right), congratulate each other after combining for 56 points during Sundays victory against the Los Angeles Sparks. (Photo courtesy of Phoenix Mercury)

‘It’s a lot’: Phoenix Mercury battle mental challenges to endure grueling compressed schedule

PHOENIX – Nate Tibbetts and his players discuss the mental toll that playing on a compressed schedule presents. The team stresses unity to persevere through the demanding juncture in the season.

Natasha Cloud and the Phoenix Mercury players show solidarity during an intense stretch of games, playing four times in six nights over the past week. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

‘A true professional’: Caitlin Clark’s poise under WNBA spotlight shines in near triple-double win vs. Phoenix Mercury

PHOENIX – Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is handling the intense media attention and scrutiny of her WNBA debut season with composure, balancing her professional responsibilities with a team-first focus.

Caitlin Clark, battling a migraine, stops to sign autographs for fans after nearly achieving a triple-double with 15 points, 12 assists and 9 rebounds in the Indiana Fever's 88-82 win Sunday. (Photo by Stella Subasic/Cronkite News)

From Russian detention to Team USA: Brittney Griner’s third Olympic selection marks return to international stage

PHOENIX – Brittney Griner’s journey over the past two years, marked by her Russian detainment and subsequent return to the WNBA, culminates in her third Olympic Games.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner speaks at a press conference after the announcement of her third Olympic Games selection. (Photo by Grace Hand/Cronkite News)