1997 Arizona Rattlers. 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks. 2009 Phoenix az every one of the historical teams that have represented The Valley, only a handful have actually been crowned champions and also less have done so in your home. The deafening audio from the shrieking fans, the confetti raining below the ceiling and the overall adventure energizing the arena is an ambience like no other when claiming a title on your own court; something the Phoenix Mercury got to experience in 2009. After winning their initial championship 2 years earlier, the Mercury were furnished with one of the deepest teams in the WNBA as they began their mission momentarily banner. From the best gamer of all-time, Diana Taurasi, to a newbie proving her well worth off the bench in DeWanna Bonner, this lineup had it ! MVP! MVP! For the third time in her profession, Taurasi led the WNBA in racking up with 20.4 points per video game, notching at the very least 20 points in 20 of 31 video games on her way to making the WNBA Most Belongings Player of the Year honor. She shot lights out from deep, ranking 7th in the league in three-point shooting at 40.7 percent while likewise managing to lockdown defensively with 1.39 blocks per game, ranking 8th across the at just 5'3", the Mercury got Temeka Johnson simply before the season started. The previous WNBA Newbie of the Year ran the offense averaging 4.6 assists per video game, connected for 5th in the Pondexter made her third All-Star choice in four periods after setting a WNBA document with three-straight Player of the Week honors. Her racking up was right up there with Taurasi, ranking 4th in the league with 19.1 factors per game, while her playmaking was likewise on display screen, ranking 3rd in the league with 5.0 assists per capturing a league-best 57 percent from the area in 2008, Le'Coe Willingham was once more as trusted as it comes when asked to score. She led the group shooting 53.3 percent, ranking 3rd across the entire league while uploading 10 points per being the highest gamer in the Mercury's starting lineup, Tangela Smith might not just control the paint, but additionally stretch the floor as one of the league's best sharp shooters. Smith led the WNBA in three-point shooting at 45.2 percent, while likewise ranking 3rd in blocks with 1.68 per like a respectable schedule, right? Well, also include two-time All-Star Dime Taylor and Sixth Female of the Year, DeWanna Bonner to develop a roster destined for a champion. The Mercury controlled the regular season, ending up with a WNBA-best 23-11 record and making the leading seed in the Western Meeting. However, points really did not begin the way they would certainly have wished as they tipped-off the Western Meeting Semifinals against the San Antonio Silver Young-Malcom controlled for the Silver Stars on both ends of the court in Game 1 while the Mercury struggled from the area. Inevitably, the number one seed discovered themselves already a game down as the Silver Stars took the first game of the series with a slim 92-91 Mercury plainly understood they were much better than that performance and appeared in Game 2 with a revenge. The group got better with perhaps the best playoff performance in franchise business background at the time, breaking four team records while nearing 2 points in the initial quarter: 35Highest. FG% in a quarter: 78.9 percent Most factors in a half: 64Most area goals made in a video game: 46ALMOST BROKENHighest FG% in a game: 63.9 percent The majority of points in a video game: 106 The Mercury's first-round pick and Sixth Female of the Year was a substantial spark off the bench as Bonner became the very first Phoenix novice to upload a double-double in the postseason with 16 factors and 13 rebounds. She was simply the 6th newbie ever before to do so in the Mercury were back on track after taking down the Silver Stars conveniently 106-78 to level the collection. While the winner-take-all Video game 3 was a closer matchup, Taurasi's 30-point efficiency guided the Mercury to a 100-92 success and a trip to the Western Seminar a collection that saw both teams lose on their home court in the very first two games, the Mercury discovered themselves once again on the edge of elimination as they tipped-off Game 3 against the Los Angeles Sparks. But in front of the X-Factor, Taurasi and Willingham combined for 38 factors as they defeated the Stimulates 85-74 and punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals. What better method to begin the Finals than with an overtime thriller as the Mercury played host to the Indiana was vital for the Mercury off the bench, connecting Pondexter with a team-high with 23 points on 7-10 capturing. Taurasi added 22 factors of her very own while tallying 9 rebounds and 6 2 groups battled via overtime, yet the Mercury inevitably gained the side with a 120-116 triumph to take Video game 1. The Mercury's 120 points noted the most racked up in any kind of WNBA game all-time and both teams additionally integrated for the most points in a video game in league exhilaration from Video game 1 spread throughout the city of Phoenix and the followers gathered for a historic group in Video game 2. An astonishing 16, 758 fans were in presence at US Airways Center, marking the biggest postseason home group in franchise business background. It was one of the most fans in attendance since the Mercury's first home playoff game in 1997. Regardless of the energy of the X-Factor, the Mercury dropped in Game 2 to equalize the series. Video game 3 in Indiana was an additional highly-contested game, but High temperature eventually ended with a one-point advantage to take the collection lead with an 86-85 2-1 in a best-of-five series, the Mercury needed the win to keep their championship really hopes active and needed to get rid of doing so while when traveling. Pondexter came with when the Mercury required her most, scoring 22 factors with 7 helps, 5 rebounds and 2 steals as she helped guide the group to a convincing 90-77 victory.A WNBA Finals Video game 5 winner-take-all in Phoenix was Mercury had actually already combated themselves out of 3 elimination situations throughout this postseason, winning all three must-win games, yet required one more to earn the Mercury re-set their document from Game 2, as the X-Factor stormed with the doors with a sold-out 17, 313 fans at US Airways Facility. The Mercury were the most effective team in the league during the normal period and that's exactly what they looked like in Video game 5. After a tough first quarter, the Mercury erupted for 35 points in the second quarter and never recalled as they closed-out the series and brought an additional banner to the Valley with a 94-86 showed why she was named the MVP of the league. With 26 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks and a steal, Taurasi and Pondexter integrated 50 points in the championship-clincher. The Mercury had actually won their second title in 3 years, yet this time around in front of the home group. The X-Factor had the ability to witness live the confetti fall, Taurasi named WNBA Finals MVP and the championship trophy held high for the city of to re-live Video game 5? In collaboration with the Mercury's special broadcast companion, FOX Sports Arizona, 4 of the Mercury's the majority of renowned video games in franchise history will certainly broadcast once. Repeat the exhilaration from the Mercury's second championship on May 24 at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Arizona. Mercury Store