Happy Friday! We all officially survived the slowest sports day of the year yesterday. Phew!

Today marks the final day of PHNX Ranks week, and it’s been fun diving into the biggest “what ifs” in Arizona sports history. We’ll unveil the #1 moment later this morning, so be sure to stay locked in on our PHNX Sports social channels and tune into Southwest Bias today at 11 am!

In keeping with Patrick’s Friday tradition, here’s a joke to get you through the weekend: When does a joke become a dad joke? When the punchline becomes apparent!

On to the show!

Where the Phoenix Mercury Stand at the WNBA All-Star Break

It’s the halfway point of the season, and the Phoenix Mercury are the third-best team in the WNBA.

This is a Mercury team with a completely different make-up than last year’s roster. For one, legend Diana Taurasi retired after a 20-year career, marking the start of a new era for Phoenix.

In the offseason, the Mercury parted ways with Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud and Sophie Cunningham, but brought in Satou Sabally via trade with Dallas, Alyssa Thomas via trade with Connecticut and Sami Whitcomb as a free agent from Seattle. Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack were the ONLY players from 2024 roster to return this season.

Now that it’s the WNBA All-Star break, let’s take a look at what the Mercury have accomplished so far this season and what’s on the horizon.

By the Numbers

• 15-7 record
• 3rd in the WNBA
• 2nd in the Western Conference
• 7-3 in the last 10 games heading into the All-Star break
• Set a franchise record with 18 3-pointers made in a game on June 27 against the Liberty
  • That beat the franchise record of 17 3-pointers made in a game set just one week before, on June 21 against the Sky
  • 35 3s in consecutive games is a WNBA record

Team Leaders

• Satou Sabally leads the team in points per game with 19.1
• Sabally leads the team in rebounds per game with 7.7
• Alyssa Thomas leads the team in assists per game with 9.5 (1st in WNBA)
• Thomas leads the team in steals per game with 1.4
• Thomas has one of only three triple doubles in the league this season and currently has nine double doubles (2nd in WNBA) – and that’s with her missing five games this year

Injuries

• Copper missed her fourth consecutive game this week with a right hamstring injury; she also missed the first 11 games of the season after undergoing a left knee arthroscopy in May
• Sabally missed her fourth consecutive game this week with a right ankle injury; she will also miss Saturday’s WNBA All-Star game
• Lexi Held has missed eight consecutive games since suffering a partially collapsed lung (pneumothorax) on June 19; there’s no clear timetable for her return
• Monique Akoa Makani missed Wednesday’s game against the Lynx with a concussion

With Sabally out with injury, Thomas will be the Mercury’s sole representative at the All-Star Game on Saturday (5:30 pm, ABC) as she suits up for Team Collier.

Last year at the All-Star break, Phoenix had a 13-12 record. The team ended the year 19-21 and was swept by the Minnesota Lynx in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.

The Mercury resumes its season on Wednesday, July 23 at home versus the Atlanta Dream (13-9), which is also Griner’s first game back in Phoenix.

Injury Updates: The D-backs finally got some positive injury news on Thursday. In his first press conference since the All-Star break, D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said that pitcher Shelby Miller will avoid surgery and has begun a throwing program after seeking a second opinion for a right flexor strain. Lovullo did not offer a timetable for Miller’s return, but said he played “very aggressive” catch on Thursday. In other news, Lovullo confirmed that Eugenio Suárez is fine after getting hit with a pitch in the MLB All-Star game and is ready to the return to lineup.

Lovullo also shared that reliever Jalen Beeks (back) and Ryan Thompson (scapular strain) have both also begun throwing programs as they work to come back from injury. Catcher Gabriel Moreno, who has been on the injured list since June 16, had his timeline for return from a fractured finger pushed back after his last round of imaging showed the fracture still present. He will have a follow-up CT next week.

She’s an Icon: Mercury legend Diana Taurasi took home the 2025 ESPY Icon Award on Wednesday night along with U.S. national women’s team soccer star Alex Morgan. The Icon Award honors individuals who have made a profound and lasting impact on the world of sports. Then on Thursday, Prime Video announced that Taurasi, a three-part docuseries about DT’s life and career, will air on August 7.

Grab the Popcorn: Bradley Beal posted an Instagram carousel yesterday with photos from his time in Phoenix captioned “✌🏾” which sparked a huge internet dialogue. NBA players Trae Young, Tyus Jones, Ish Wainright, Andre Drummond and more commented on the post laughing at the implied message. Kevin Durant commented “😂” which led to an hours-long back-and-forth on Twitter between KD and Suns fans.

Tip Of The Hat By Branded Bills

Gerald has his priorities straight!