2009 Phoenix Mercury: Winning in the Valley

2009 Phoenix Mercury: Winning in the Valley

1997 Arizona Rattlers. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks. 2009 Phoenix every one of the historic groups that have actually represented The Valley,  only a handful have actually been crowned champions and even fewer have actually done so at home. The deafening noise from the shouting followers,  the confetti drizzling below the ceiling and the general adventure energizing the field is an environment like no various other when claiming a title on your very own court; something the Phoenix Mercury obtained to experience in 2009. After winning their first champion two years earlier,  the Mercury were outfitted with one of the inmost teams in the WNBA as they began their quest momentarily banner. From the best gamer of all-time,  Diana Taurasi,  to a newbie showing her worth off the bench in DeWanna Bonner,  this lineup had it ! MVP! MVP! For the 3rd time in her occupation,  Taurasi led the WNBA in scoring with 20.4 factors per video game,  scratching at least 20 factors in 20 of 31 games on her way to gaining the WNBA Many Valuable Gamer of the Year honor. She shot lights out from deep,  ranking seventh in the league in three-point capturing at 40.7 percent while also handling to lockdown defensively with 1.39 blocks per video game,  ranking eighth across the at just 5'3",  the Mercury acquired Temeka Johnson right before the period began. The previous WNBA Novice of the Year ran the crime averaging 4.6 aids per video game,  tied for 5th in the Pondexter made her third All-Star choice in 4 periods after setting a WNBA document with three-straight Gamer of the Week honors. Her racking up was right up there with Taurasi,  ranking 4th in the organization with 19.1 factors per game,  while her playmaking was additionally on display screen,  ranking third in the organization with 5.0 helps per capturing a league-best 57 percent from the field in 2008,  Le'Coe Willingham was once more as trustworthy as it comes when asked to rating. She led the group shooting 53.3 percent,  ranking 3rd across the whole organization while uploading 10 points per being the tallest player in the Mercury's beginning schedule,  Tangela Smith might not just manage the paint,  however additionally extend the floor as one of the league's ideal sharp shooters. Smith led the WNBA in three-point capturing at 45.2 percent,  while likewise ranking 3rd in blocks with 1.68 per like a respectable lineup,  right? Well,  also include in two-time All-Star Dime Taylor and Sixth Female of the Year,  DeWanna Bonner to create a lineup predestined for a championship. The Mercury controlled the normal period,  completed with a WNBA-best 23-11 document and making the number one seed in the Western Meeting. Regrettably,  things really did not start the way they would have wished as they tipped-off the Western Meeting Semifinals against the San Antonio Silver Young-Malcom dominated for the Silver Stars on both ends of the court in Game 1 while the Mercury had a hard time from the field. Inevitably,  the leading seed located themselves currently a game down as the Silver Stars took the very first video game of the collection with a narrow 92-91 Mercury plainly understood they were much better than that efficiency and appeared in Game 2 with a revenge. The group recuperated with arguably the best playoff performance in franchise history at the time,  damaging 4 team records while nearing two points in the very first quarter: 35Highest. FG% in a quarter: 78.9 percent Many points in a half: 64Most field objectives made in a video game: 46ALMOST BROKENHighest FG% in a video game: 63.9 percent Most factors in a game: 106 The Mercury's first-round choice and Sixth Woman of the Year was a substantial stimulate off the bench as Bonner became the first Phoenix az newbie to publish a double-double in the postseason with 16 factors and 13 rebounds. She was simply the sixth rookie ever before to do so in the Mercury were back on the right track after taking down the Silver Stars quickly 106-78 to level the collection. While the winner-take-all Game 3 was a closer matchup,  Taurasi's 30-point efficiency guided the Mercury to a 100-92 triumph and a journey to the Western Meeting a series that saw both teams lose on their home court in the initial two games,  the Mercury located themselves when again on the edge of removal as they tipped-off Video game 3 against the Los Angeles Sparks. However in front of the X-Factor,  Taurasi and Willingham integrated for 38 factors as they defeated the Stimulates 85-74 and punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals. What far better way to begin the Finals than with an overtime thriller as the Mercury played host to the Indiana was critical for the Mercury off the bench,  connecting Pondexter with a team-high with 23 factors on 7-10 shooting. Taurasi included 22 factors of her own while tallying 9 rebounds and 6 two teams fought through overtime,  but the Mercury inevitably acquired the edge with a 120-116 success to take Game 1. The Mercury's 120 points noted one of the most scored in any type of WNBA game all-time and the two teams additionally integrated for the most points in a game in league exhilaration from Video game 1 spread throughout the city of Phoenix and the followers collected for a historic crowd in Video game 2. An astonishing 16, 758 fans were in presence at United States Airways Center,  marking the biggest postseason home crowd in franchise business history. It was the most fans present because the Mercury's first home playoff game in 1997. In spite of the energy of the X-Factor,  the Mercury fell in Game 2 to align the series. Video game 3 in Indiana was an additional highly-contested game,  but Fever eventually ended with a one-point advantage to take the series lead with an 86-85 2-1 in a best-of-five series,  the Mercury needed the win to keep their championship hopes to life and had to get rid of doing so while when driving. Pondexter came via when the Mercury required her most,  scoring 22 factors with 7 assists,  5 rebounds and 2 takes as she aided guide the group to a convincing 90-77 victory.A WNBA Finals Game 5 winner-take-all in Phoenix metro was Mercury had currently battled themselves out of three removal circumstances throughout this postseason,  winning all 3 must-win video games,  however needed another to gain the Mercury re-set their record from Game 2 https://www.mercuryteamstore.com/Diana_Taurasi_Jersey,  as the X-Factor stormed through the doors with a sold-out 17, 313 fans at United States Airways Center. The Mercury were the very best group in the organization throughout the normal period which's exactly what they appeared like in Game 5. After a hard very first quarter,  the Mercury appeared for 35 factors in the 2nd quarter and never ever looked back as they closed-out the collection and brought one more banner to the Valley with a 94-86 verified why she was named the MVP of the league. With 26 factors,  6 rebounds,  4 assists,  3 blocks and a steal,  Taurasi and Pondexter combined 50 points in the championship-clincher. The Mercury had actually won their second title in three years,  but this time around before the home crowd. The X-Factor were able to witness live the confetti fall,  Taurasi named WNBA Finals MVP and the championship trophy held high for the city of to re-live Game 5? In collaboration with the Mercury's exclusive program partner,  FOX Sports Arizona,  four of the Mercury's most iconic video games in franchise background will certainly broadcast when. Repeat the enjoyment from the Mercury's 2nd champion on May 24 at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Arizona.