{"id":218771,"date":"2025-09-11T17:59:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T17:59:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/218771\/"},"modified":"2025-09-11T17:59:19","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T17:59:19","slug":"new-era-in-the-desert-rookies-help-power-phoenix-mercury-to-wnba-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/218771\/","title":{"rendered":"New era in the desert: Rookies help power Phoenix Mercury to WNBA playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Joe Rondone\/The Republic \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

PHOENIX \u2014 In their first season without Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, the Phoenix Mercury set out to establish a new identity \u2014 and still found themselves back in the playoffs for the 15th time in 17 seasons.<\/p>\n

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On a team filled with new faces, it wasn\u2019t just the veterans who helped push the Mercury to another postseason run.<\/p>\n

\"Phoenix<\/p>\n

Phoenix Mercury players gather around teammate DeWanna Bonner as she is announced as the third all-time scorer in the WNBA before they play the Los Angeles Sparks at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on Sept. 9, 2025. \u00a9 Joe Rondone\/The Republic \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Led by the Big Three, Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally, the Mercury have exceeded expectations this season. Whether it was helping secure triple-doubles, making league history from beyond the arc, or gritting out wins, Phoenix did everything it could for another opportunity at a championship.<\/p>\n

Behind the star power is a group of rookies who have contributed their fair share this year.<\/p>\n

\"Phoenix<\/p>\n

Phoenix Mercury Lexi Held (1) drives past Los Angeles Sparks guard Julie Allemand (20) at PHX Arena on Sept. 9, 2025. \u00a9 Joe Rondone\/The Republic \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Lexi Held, Kitija Laksa, Kathryn Westbeld and Monique Akoa Makani have helped the Mercury become the team it needed to be. While these players have experience overseas, the WNBA is a completely different game.<\/p>\n

That didn\u2019t faze them, as the rookies stepped up in big moments during the season when key players were out with injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve been huge for us all season,\u201d Thomas said when asked about the rookies\u2019 contributions. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy your rookie year, especially playing year-round, coming from overseas to this, but I think they\u2019ve all handled it with poise\u2026 For them to come in on a playoff team and hit big shots time in and time out, they have a lot to be proud of.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sep<\/p>\n

Sep 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) drives against the Indiana Fever in the first half at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Akoa Makani is a rookie who made an immediate impact, with clutch shooting and defense that have been essential in Phoenix\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe year that [Akoa Makani] has had is pretty special,\u201d head coach Nate Tibbetts said. \u201cOnce the season\u2019s over, we\u2019ll probably look back and remind ourselves how good a year she\u2019s had\u2026 When you look at the top five teams in the W, I don\u2019t know if there\u2019s a starting guard on any of them besides [her], right? And so, the impact that she has had at both ends is pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rookie is one of three players this season shooting at least 40% from the field, 39% from 3-point range and 90% from the free-throw line. She\u2019s averaging 7.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.<\/p>\n

\"Aug<\/p>\n

Aug 22, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa Makani (8) drives past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, I\u2019m very proud of that,\u201d Akoa Makani said on helping Phoenix secure a playoff berth. \u201cBut at the same time, it doesn\u2019t get in my head too much. Because at the end of the day, for me, it\u2019s just basketball. A game that I love. I\u2019m just able to play and I\u2019m just grateful for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to how the rookies have leaned on each other this season, Akoa Makani credits everyone on the Mercury for helping them navigate their first year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just feel like the whole organization has been taking care of us,\u201d said Akoa Makani. \u201cThat\u2019s just the way we do it with each other, too. It just works pretty well, so we\u2019ll keep doing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Phoenix<\/p>\n

Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) during the second quarter at PHX Arena on Sept. 2, 2025. \u00a9 Michael Chow\/The Republic \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

While Westbeld, Held and Laksa haven\u2019t seen as much playing time in the second half of the season, Tibbetts acknowledged their importance in helping the team reach its current position in the standings.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Westbeld is] still making an impact, with not playing as many minutes,\u201d he said. \u201cShe just does such a great job of competing in the post and helping us space the floor offensively\u2026 And then, obviously, we\u2019ve had other rookies, [Laksa and Held], that have had an impact early in the year and helped us have this record that we\u2019ve had.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jul<\/p>\n

Jul 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kitija Laksa (9) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

With playoffs around the corner, the focus now shifts to closing out the regular season strong and preparing for playoff basketball. For the rookies, their journey is only beginning in this league.<\/p>\n

But their impact is already being felt.<\/p>\n

\n

Our General Manager built a rookie class that doesn\u2019t just make an impact. But have made the most threes by any team\u2019s rookies in 25 years.<\/p>\n

Our Head Coach maximized their talent, turning first year players into record-setters.<\/p>\n

Nick U\u2019Ren for Executive of the Year and Nate\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/jERfW7ebqk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content.<\/b> SIGN UP HERE<\/b><\/a> to unlock our premium content!*<\/b>
\nWendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde<\/b><\/p>\n

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Could Angel Reese be a good fit with the Phoenix Mercury?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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