The Phoenix Mercury beat the Japan National Team, 86-60, in the preseason finale on April 29 at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Even though the preseason game against Japan wasn’t an accurate assessment of the size and skill in the WNBA, it was a decent showing by the Mercury’s starters.
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With the season opener on May 9, coach Nate Tibbetts took advantage of the conditioning opportunities by using starters Kahleah Copper, Sami Whitcomb, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and Natasha Mack through the end of the third quarter.
At times, the Mercury showed some rust. Copper picked up four fouls in the first 13 minutes of the game. Thomas committed three fouls in under three minutes to start the first half.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) leaps into guard Sami Whitcomb (30) as they are introduced before playing Team Japan during a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) leaps into guard Sami Whitcomb (30) as they are introduced before playing Team Japan during a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Maly (30) drives past Team Japan forward Minami Yabu (37) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Fans cheer from the stands as the Phoenix Mercury play Team Japan during their preseason game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) brings the ball past mid court as Team Japan guard Kokoro Tanaka (26) defends during their preseason game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts huddles with his players as they take on Team Japan in a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) shoots the ball over Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (23) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury players huddle up before their preseason game against Team Japan at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Maly (30) fights for a lose ball with Team Japan guard Mona Tateyama (19) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) looks to pass the ball as Team Japan guard Minami Yabu (23) defends during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Ashten
Prechtel (10) fights for a loose ball with Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Team Japan celebrates making a shot against the Phoenix Mercury during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) celebrates making a shot while being fouled against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (24) makes a shot while being fouled by Team Japan guard Norika Konno (2) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) is called for a charge as Team Japan guard Mai Yamamato (23) defends during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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The Phoenix Mercury dancers perform as they play Team Japan in a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) shoots the ball over Team Japan guards Mai Yamamato (23) and Mio Shiraishi (30) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts talsk to his team as they take on Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Lauren Jensen (15) fouls Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Lauren Jensen (15) reacts after being called for a foul against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Aisha Sheppard (17) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) lays the ball up past Phoenix Mercury guard LaurenJensen (15) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) is defended by Team Japan guard Mai Yamamato (23) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Views of the Phoenix Mercury’s preseason game against Japan
Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
But there were also times when the offseason improvements showed up. Mack, who got stronger in the offseason, found herself in more offensive situations than in the past season. Mack’s strength helped her get more involved in pick-and-rolls early on.
“Our group really likes playing with her because she does all the little things,” Tibbetts said. “I’ve been very impressed with her approach and professionalism and her growth. She has to be extremely proud of herself and how far she’s come in the last two years.”
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There were still key players missing in the preseason finale due to overseas commitments: starting point guard Monique Akoa Makani and French forward Valeriane Ayayi, who signed with the team in the offseason.
The roster suffered a shakeup on April 28, when it was announced that forward Kathryn Westbeld tore her right ACL in the final game of her season in Hungary. Westbeld was a key role player throughout the 2025 campaign and helped the Mercury reach the WNBA Finals.
With Westbeld out for the season, a fifth non-guaranteed spot opens on the 12-player roster. Tibbetts made it clear that the open spots are based on how the role players work with his established group.
Tibbetts kept it to an eight-player rotation for the first three quarters, putting in guard Kiana Williams, forward Morgan Maly and forward Ashten Prechtel as reserves.
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Williams took over point guard duties while on the floor, showing that the team’s 3-point shooting can still be a strength with two 3-pointers on five attempts. She’ll presumably make the cut as she has the most experience under Tibbetts with 11 games in 2025.
Prechtel, Williams’ teammate at Stanford, could be the true center that the Mercury need. At 6-foot-5, she blocked shots easily and got involved in the offense with some well-timed passes.
“AP has done a really good job. The physicality of our league is going to challenge her at times,” Tibbetts said. “But she can really shoot it. She’s done a great job with verticality at the rim. I think the last three or four days, she’s settling in and getting more comfortable.”
Other hopefuls who got minutes in the fourth quarter include guard Shay Ciezki, forward Jillian Alleyne, forward Maggie Doogan, guard Lauren Jensen and guard Sha Carter.
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But there are still four players who are overseas and are expected to come to Phoenix in the next three to four days. Their arrivals will help clarify the tough decisions the front office will make before the WNBA’s opening day on May 8.
“We’re getting closer, and we got some veterans from Europe that are coming this way, and we’re going to welcome them with open arms and get ready for game one,” Tibbetts said.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mercury look sharper, but roster decisions loom before May 8