On January 16, 2020, the WNBA teams got their schedules for the 2020 season. I’ll be taking a first look at what’ll happen in the 2020 season for the Phoenix Mercury.
Home Opener vs the Seattle Storm. May 17, 2020
The return of Stewie and Bird travel to Phoenix to take on the Mercury with the return of Diana Taurasi on May 17. After a semifinals series that was filled with madness (Game 5 loss in 2018, please don’t bring it up to me) in the 2018 WNBA playoffs. In 2019, Seattle won the season series over the Mercury 2-1 in the regular season. The Mercury look to seek revenge from game 5 loss in the season opener. I’m looking forward to this matchup! Not because it’s at home, but because the Mercury and Storm have stars coming back from injuries.
Phoenix Mercury vs 2019 WNBA Champs, the Washington Mystics
It’s gonna be interesting to see how the Mystics will take on the Mercury. And the matchup will be nationally televised on ABC on September 6 at home. The Phoenix Mercury surprisingly blew them out twice. 91-68 on July 10, and 103-82 on August 4 at home without Diana Taurasi. Brittney Griner has dominated scoring in the paint by 81 points in the series during the regular season. And also almost had a triple-double on August 4 (26 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists). Leilani Mitchell has also stepped up for Phoenix by making 8 3-pointers. But the Mercury fought hard in a loss in DC on July 30.
Phoenix Mercury vs Las Vegas Aces
The Phoenix Mercury have fought hard in all three regular-season matchups against the Las Vegas Aces last season. But the Aces won the season series 2-1 in the regular season. In last year’s home opener for Phoenix, Essence Carson led the Mercury to a thrilling victory with 20 points. (and a clutch 3-pointer too!) In addition to all of the starters for Phoenix has scored in double figures. And tow of them has had double-doubles as well; DeWanna Bonner with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Yvonne Turner with 18 points and a career-high 10 assists. I was at that game and oh my god, it was incredible!
On August 20, this game had a lot of emotions in that game as the Aces won in overtime 84-79. Led by Liz Cambage with a double-double 19 points, 15 rebounds and A’ja Wilson with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Meanwhile, for the Mercury, Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner have scored 48 points combined. Brianna Turner has stepped up with a career-high 6 blocks (most by a Mercury rookie since Brittney Griner in 2013). I felt really proud of her!
Other than that, I can’t wait for the Mercury season! The Comeback Merc seeks revenge! Can’t wait to go to the Mercury games and look over this year’s team! I am also excited to look into the 2020 Phoenix Mercury schedule.
Help us support the wildlife of @ecambage homeland. 50% of every sale will be donated to the @AustraliaZoo Wildlife Hospital. Shop here and make an impact.
Follow me on Twitter @ayaabdeen__ and check out other WNBA articles by the Belly Up Sports team.
