Phoenix Mercury sees younger players develop ahead of World Cup break

The Phoenix Mercury concluded their regular season with a 14-26 record, already eliminated from the playoffs. However, the team saw promising performances from its younger players in their final game before the FIBA World Cup break. Coach Nate Tibbetts expressed relief that the young players were developing well, especially going into the break.

The Mercury were down four players ahead of the World Cup, including Kahleah Copper, Kelsey Plum, Valeriane Ayayi, and Kyara Linskens. All four will represent their teams, with Ayayi and Linskens playing for France and Belgium respectively. Copper, a game-time decision, had a left ankle issue and did not play. Coach Tibbetts hopes Copper and Plum will recover in time for the World Cup, which kicks off on Sept.

4 with Team USA's first game at 5:15 a.m. MT. The team's rotation shifted earlier in the week when DeWanna Bonner took a contract buyout, moving Natasha Mack to the starting center. Despite the lack of veterans in the frontcourt, the Mercury managed to score 153 points, 49 bench points, and 28 fast-break points. Guards Sami Whitcomb, Kara Dunn, and Shay Ciezki provided valuable contributions, with Dunn making her WNBA debut and Ciezki stepping up as a better playmaker.

The Mercury will take a week off before returning for individual workouts, with the coaching staff and trainer, Hannah Wengertsman, heading to Berlin for Team USA's World Cup staff.