With a 2-game losing streak, 7th on the table, and injury-plagued, things looked a bit bleak for the Phoenix Mercury as they prepared to host their possible playoff contender, Connecticut Sun. But re-signing the NBL star, Amy Atwell on a 7-day contract, the team looks to go strong ahead. Add a presence of NBA legend during courtside practice to that and Atwell attests, the team has only been better in spirits.

Ahead of Mercury’s next game, Desert Wave Media let spectators in on a little practice session of the team. As Charisma Osborne worked on her jump shot and Celeste Taylor excelled with her extra pass, in the background stood NBA legend, Julius Erving. Though not much of his role there was revealed, the atmosphere proved pretty strong overall, according to Atwell.

“They’ve been good. They’ve been intense and there’s been a different energy about them,” she states about the team. “I think everyone’s coming with the right intent and to get better and put their best foot forward.” 

Since qualifying for the playoffs on September 3rd, the Mercury has stumbled, losing their last two games and dropping five of their last six. “We got to decide as a group what we want to get done here to finish,” said head coach Nate Tibbetts.

Meanwhile, these games hold significant weight for Atwell, who’s eyeing a permanent spot on the roster. Her summer was one for the books; after a hamstring injury to Rebecca Allen opened a spot, Amy Atwell was called up to Australia’s Olympic roster, where she played a pivotal role in securing a bronze medal for the Opals in Paris.

But Mercury sure needs to gear up with four more games remaining for the team to set momentum. So while we do not know if Dr. J was simply there to watch the practice, if Desert City can take any advice from Dr. J, who was named fourth-best small forward in NBA history, they’ll gladly take it.

A tough challenge ahead for the Phoenix Mercury

Connecticut Sun has had it big this year winning 7 of their last 10 games. DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, and DiJonai Carrington have been consistently leading the team as top scorers. Add Marina Mabrey to the line-up since the post-Olympic break, and the team has only been better.

With a 26-10 record, the team is only one game behind the mighty Minnesota Lynx, becoming a potential opponent for the Phoenix Mercury in the playoffs. It wouldn’t exactly be good news for the latter who has already lost thrice to the Suns and that by double digits. Even with the presence of three Olympians — Kahleah Copper, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner — things haven’t worked much in their favor. But they are gonna need to make the next one work for better chances ahead.

“We are gonna do everything we can to win,” Atwell says, and they are gonna need to ride on that as they look to break a decade-long championship drought.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.