Desert Wave Media

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U'Ren touched on Satou Sabally and a variety of other topics, including the Mercury's free agency timeline, during his first media availability of the year. Read more: open.substack.com/pub/desertwave…

STORY: The Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally were all assigned to their respective Unrivaled teams on Wednesday. @veenstra_david has more: open.substack.com/pub/desertwave…

NEW: The full Unrivaled rosters for the 2026 season.

Kahleah Copper was protected by Rose Basketball Club; Alyssa Thomas was protected by the Laces and Satou Sabally was protected by Phantom during the Unrivaled "Basketball Club Selection" process. They will all run it back with their respective teams.

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said he talks with GM Nick U’Ren about finding defensive players. “That’s something we’ll look at this offseason.” #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said he doesn’t regret not playing Kalani Brown earlier in the playoffs. #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts did not have an update on how Satou Sabally is doing after she suffered a concussion in Game 3. He said she was disappointed not to play in Game 4. #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts is known to watch film the day after a game, instead of immediately after. He said he hasn’t gone back and watched Game 4 yet. “No, not today. Not today. We’re saving that one.” #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts on the grind of the playoffs and it taking all of his focus. “It doesn’t feel real today” #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren said he can’t comment on ongoing CBA negotiations. #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren said they’re still trying to figure out how they can build around Alyssa Thomas and what that looks like. #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren said he thinks Alyssa Thomas was pleased with her first season in Phoenix. “We try to make this the best place anybody could play, so if they want to stay for a long time, or if they’re not here yet, they might want to be a part of it.” #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren on the majority of the players in the league being free agents this offseason and the two expansion teams coming. “I think it’s a great opportunity to capitalize on. It’s something we’ve honestly had our eye on since I took the job.” #WNBA

Phoenix Mercury GM Nick U’Ren on the exit interviews. “I told everybody kind of over and over, ‘We have no idea what’s coming for us.’ “They’re going to have decisions to make based on their career, their family. We’re gonna have a decision to make based on our team.” #WNBA

STORY: The Phoenix Mercury again nearly pulled off the improbable before the Las Vegas Aces prevailed down the stretch to secure their third WNBA title in the past four seasons. @veenstra_david has more: open.substack.com/pub/desertwave… #WNBA

Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray gives her message to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “When you have great players. You need to treat them like that,” Gray said. “Don’t play in our faces,” A’ja Wilson said. #WNBA

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson said the parade is Oct. 17. #WNBA

Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd on crying after Becky Hammon hugged her when they won the title. Loyd said she was written off and Becky believed in her from the start. #WNBA

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is taking in the Las Vegas Aces’ postgame press conference. #WNBA

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson on how she redefines greatness. #WNBA