Editing Phoenix Mercury (section)

=== A new big three (2020–2021) ===
Before the [[2020 Phoenix Mercury season|2020 season]], the Mercury traded Bonner to the Sun for draft picks, which they then used to acquire [[Skylar Diggins-Smith]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-12 |title=Is Mercury's new big 3 best of all time? Comets would like a word |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/is-mercurys-new-big-3-diggins-smith-taurasi-griner-best-of-all-time-houston-comets-would-like-a-word-210947357.html |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}</ref> The season was played in the [[Wubble (WNBA 2020 season)|Wubble]] and Griner left after 12 games due to personal reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metcalfe |first=Jeff |title=Brittney Griner: Mental health counseling 'does wonders' for Phoenix Mercury star |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2021/02/04/brittney-griner-mental-health-counseling-does-wonders-wnba-star/4373481001/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> Without her, the Mercury finished 13–9 as the number 5 seed and made it to the second round of the playoffs, where they lost to the Lynx.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Metcalfe |first=Jeff |title=Minnesota Lynx edge Phoenix Mercury in WNBA playoff second round |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/wnba/mercury/2020/09/17/minnesota-lynx-edge-phoenix-mercury-wnba-playoff-second-round/3482004001/ |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the [[2021 Phoenix Mercury season|2021 season]], Taurasi once again struggled with injuries, playing in only 16 games.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-10 |title=Why the Mercury's Diana Taurasi might be closer to retiring than you think |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32370738/2021-wnba-finals-why-phoenix-mercury-diana-taurasi-closer-retiring-think |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The Mercury finished with a 19–13 record and, after defeating the Liberty, Storm, and Aces, advanced to the finals for the first time since 2014. They lost the series 1–3 to the Sky.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-17 |title=Sky capture 1st WNBA title; Copper named MVP |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32419158/chicago-rallies-phoenix-win-first-wnba-crown-sky-kahleah-copper-named-mvp |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> After the season, the Mercury did not renew Brondello's contract.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-06 |title=Brondello out as Mercury coach after Finals loss |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/32806907/sandy-brondello-phoenix-mercury-coach-wnba-finals-appearance |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>