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Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello on Bria Hartley
Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello on impending return of guard Bria Hartley after a year out due to injury.
Jeff Metcalfe, Arizona Republic
Bria Hartley could make her Phoenix Mercury return Saturday to play for the first time in more than a year.
Hartley, 28, suffered a torn ACL in her right knee Aug. 28, 2020, during a game against Washington in the WNBA bubble in Florida. She had major knee surgery Sept. 18 and work later on her hip, costing her all of this WNBA season to date (26 games) and a chance to play for France at the Tokyo Olympics.
On Friday, Hartley was upgraded from out to questionable. Coach Sandy Brondello said the 5-9 guard could begin playing limited minutes as soon as Saturday against the Indiana Fever, the first of six remaining regular season games.
The Mercury (16-10), on a seven-game win streak, have yet to play a game this season with their full projected roster.
“There is a possibility she will play,” Brondello said. “She looks pretty good. Hopefully we’ll get the all clear and get her integrated into our team as we lead into the playoffs.”
The Mercury signed Hartley to a sizeable three-year contract before the 2020 season, an investment that was paying off before the injury. She averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 assists with career shooting percentage highs, playing first off the bench then as a starter for three games.
As well as the Mercury are currently playing, Brondello believes Hartley can be a contributor in the team’s push for its first WNBA title since 2014 and fourth overall.
“She’s an important player for us,” Brondello said. “It’s another playmaker. She looks really good in the pick and roll action and everyone knows we’re a dominant pick and roll team. Another handler out there that can finish plays. Obviously that will be a good asset for us as we move forward.”
The Mercury, currently in fifth place, are pushing for a top four regular season finish and first-round playoff bye (Sept. 23). At minimum, the Mercury are hoping to make the WNBA best-of-5 semifinals. The WNBA Finals could extend until Oct. 19.
Phoenix starters are Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Brittney Griner, Brianna Turner and Kia Nurse. Hartley fits into a guard rotation that includes Sophie Cunningham and Shey Peddy. Kia Vaughn, Megan Walker and Alanna Smith round out the 11-player roster.
“We all know she can score, and that’s something we definitely want from her,” Griner said. “Out of the perimeter, getting to the basket, making great passes. She just brings that fierce edge. She’s going to be a spark for us, and I can’t wait to see her back on the court. We’re ready to have her back.”
Up next
Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever, 10 a.m. Saturday, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA TV/Bally Sports Arizona — After a 7-0 record in August, the Mercury (16-10) open the final month of the regular season with consecutive road games against Indiana (6-19) on Saturday and Monday. The Fever are 2-1 since losing 84-80 at Phoenix on Aug. 17 with two-point wins over Dallas and Los Angeles and an 87-71 loss to Las Vegas.
More: Phoenix Mercury win seventh straight, clinch WNBA playoff berth
Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8053. Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe.
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