Expected at the turn, the Phoenix Mercury goes completely through its start to the 2023 campaign.
Worse, the Arizona franchise currently has the worst record in the league with only 2 wins for 10 losses in its first 12 outings. It is the worst record in Mercury history after twelve games. Result ? The management announced this Sunday the dismissal of the coach of the team, Vanessa Nygaard.
“We have decided to change coaches” said Jim Pitman, GM of the Mercuryin a press release. “We thank Vanessa Nygaard for the way she has endured and dealt with adversity for over a year. Our franchise and our fans have very high expectations for this team, and our performance this year has not lived up to their expectations.”.
The Suns and the Mercury have changed coaches…
Arriving in 2022 to take over from Sandy Brondello, Vanessa Nygaard ended last season with a record of 15 wins for 21 losses. A season marked by the imprisonment in Russia of Brittney Griner, one of the stars of the team. A negative balance which had nevertheless allowed the Phoenix Mercury to take part in the playoffs, before giving up their arms in the first round against the Las Vegas Aces, the future WNBA champions.
With the return of Brittney Griner to the squad this season, the spotlight was on Phoenix more than ever, and the team’s sporting ambitions naturally increased.
The dismissal of Vanessa Nygaard comes the day after the defeat against the Seattle Storm (97-74). The straw that broke the camel’s back since it was the team’s fifth consecutive defeat and the second in a row by at least 20 points. It is his assistant, Nikki Blue, who will take over for the rest of the season.
