Imagine a team reborn, surging through the playoffs, fueled by a dynamic scorer who seems unstoppable. That was the Phoenix Mercury in 2025, and Satou Sabally was a huge part of their success. But what exactly made Sabally one of the West's best? Let's dive in.
The Mercury's 2025 season was a testament to strategic offseason moves. Acquiring Sabally (dubbed the "Unicorn" for her unique skillset) and Alyssa Thomas proved to be game-changers. Bolstered by these additions, the Mercury embarked on an impressive playoff journey, taking down powerhouses like the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx before ultimately falling to the Las Vegas Aces. While the championship eluded them, the season was a resounding success, positioning them as serious contenders for the following year.
Sabally quickly became the team's offensive linchpin, averaging a team-leading 16.3 points per game. This performance solidified her status as a cornerstone player for the Mercury's future. And this is the part most people miss: While she's a free agent, the Mercury will almost certainly pull out all the stops to keep her in Phoenix. Losing a talent like Sabally would be a major setback.
But here's where it gets controversial... Was Sabally truly one of the West's best scorers? While her 16.3 points per game were impressive, let's consider the broader context. She ranked eighth in scoring among Western Conference players. Now, eighth is good, but is it "best"?
To truly understand Sabally's standing, we need to look at the names ahead of her. A'ja Wilson of the Aces dominated the scoring charts with an incredible 23.4 points per game, earning her the Peak Performer title. Close behind was Napheesa Collier, averaging 22.9 points and firmly establishing herself in the MVP conversation. Kelsey Plum, in her debut season with the Los Angeles Sparks, contributed 19.5 points. Even rookie sensation Paige Bueckers, showcasing her future stardom, averaged 19.2 points.
Furthermore, established stars like Dearica Hamby (18.4 points), Nneka Ogwumike (18.3 points), and Jackie Young (16.5 points) all outscored Sabally. This highlights the sheer offensive talent concentrated in the Western Conference.
It's worth noting that Sabally is in esteemed company. These are players known for their ability to single-handedly shift the momentum of a game. When their teams are struggling, players like Collier and Ogwumike have the capacity to elevate their performance and lead their team to victory. Many of these players are perennial All-Stars, a status Sabally herself has achieved three times.
Looking ahead, the Mercury have undoubtedly found a star in Sabally. With another year of experience and continued development, there's every reason to believe she'll have an even more impactful season. The potential is there for her to climb even higher in the Western Conference scoring ranks.
What do you think? Was Sabally's performance enough to consider her one of the West's best scorers, or does the depth of talent in the conference make that a stretch? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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