The 2019 season saw the Phoenix Mercury finish with a record of 15 wins and 19 losses, concluding the year on a disappointing note by losing their final four games. This unfortunate streak included defeats against formidable teams such as the Chicago Sky, Seattle Storm, Minnesota Lynx, and Las Vegas Aces.
Despite these setbacks, the Mercury managed to secure a spot in the playoffs, where they faced off against the Sky in a high-stakes single-elimination game. Unfortunately for the Mercury, this match ended in a significant loss, but not without a standout performance from DeWanna Bonner, who scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists, and made one steal during the game.
Even with the ups and downs of the season, the Mercury's overall performance was commendable, which ultimately placed them in the running for several prestigious awards.
In the race for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, the Mercury boasted two prominent contenders. Brittney Griner finished in second place, earning an impressive 167 points, while Bonner secured the seventh position with 15 points. The top player that year, Elena Delle Donne, amassed a staggering 420 points, with 41 of those being first-place votes – showcasing just how competitive the MVP race was. Griner, leading her team, averaged an outstanding 20.7 points per game, along with 7.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and two blocks. Following her lead, Bonner contributed significantly with averages of 17.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals.
While the Mercury did not have representation in the Rookie of the Year category, this race featured two exceptional players: Napheesa Collier emerged victorious, earning 29 points, with Arike Ogunbowale following closely behind with 14 points. Both of these athletes have had notable encounters with the Mercury and are recognized as two of the league's top scorers.
As for the Defensive Player of the Year award, Natasha Howard claimed the title, though Griner found herself in a three-way tie for fifth place, receiving one point alongside Alysha Clark and Elizabeth Williams.
On a more positive note, Leilani Mitchell from the Mercury was awarded the Most Improved Player honor, finishing with a total of 27 points. This victory placed her comfortably ahead of other nominees like Odyssey Sims and Jordin Canada. During the season, Mitchell showcased her skills with an average of 12.8 points, four assists, and three rebounds, making history as the first player to ever win multiple Most Improved Player awards. Additionally, she was also nominated for the Sportsmanship award, highlighting her exemplary conduct on the court.
Overall, the Mercury's strong season and impressive individual performances did not go unnoticed, earning them well-deserved recognition in the league’s various award races. If you want to dive deeper into the details of the Mercury's 2019 season and their standings in these award races, be sure to follow us on X by clicking right here (https://x.com/MercuryOnSI)!
