The defending champs might be unstoppable due to their latest addition, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be late-season excitement. Here’s more on what to expect as the second half of the 2025 WNBA season begins.

The Mercury are exiting the All-Star break with the third-best record in the league. A team built on record-shattering 3-point shooting and hard-nosed defense has high expectations entering the second half of the season.

After four UConn legends appeared in the 2025 All-Star game, here’s what to watch for as the second half of the WNBA season tips off.

SportsLine's Jimmie Kaylor locked in his picks, predictions, props, and WNBA best bets for the Golden State Valkyries vs. Phoenix Mercury game on Monday

Mercury drafted DeWanna Bonner in the 2009 WNBA Draft. Her time at Auburn helped Phoenix and other teams take notice of her talent.

So, for which franchises do players most want to compete? And what do they think about a host of topics around the league, like who is the league’s best player, where should expansion head, who is the face of the league and what issues are important in the next collective bargaining agreement?

Sabally, now a three-time All-Star, was slated to suit up for the team drafted by Caitlin Clark, one of the two captains for this year's game. Sabally's replacement will be chosen by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who already selected Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride to fill in for the injured Rhyne Howard.

WNBA players rated the Phoenix Mercury as the league's best-run franchise, according to a poll conducted by The Athletic. State of play: In the anonymous poll of 39 players from all 13 franchises — no rookies were included to best represent veterans' views — 28.6% of respondents picked the Mercury.

It's no secret how important the 3-point shot has been for the Phoenix Mercury. But is the team making more 3s than ever?