Editing Phoenix Mercury (section)

===Mercury heating up (1997–1998)===
With a cast that included hall-of-famer [[Nancy Lieberman]], and future hall-of-famers [[Michele Timms]] of [[Australia]], and [[Jennifer Gillom]],  hyper-active star [[Bridget Pettis]], and outspoken coach [[Cheryl Miller]], the Mercury quickly established itself as a major franchise. In the first WNBA season, the Mercury posted a 16–12 record and reached the first WNBA playoffs. The Mercury lost to the [[New York Liberty]], though, in those playoffs.

In 1998, the Mercury again qualified for the playoffs, posting a 19–11 record. The Mercury defeated the [[Cleveland Rockers]] to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time. In a hard-fought series, the Mercury fell 2 games to 1 to the defending champion [[Houston Comets]].