Before the Phoenix Mercury’s 106-91 home win over the defending champion New York Liberty on June 27, Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts was nonchalant or somewhat nervous about possibly being named an All-Star coach in just his second season with Phoenix.
“Don’t tell me wife that,” Tibbetts said while jokingly shaking his head. “It’s one of those things … obviously, it would be awesome. Not everyone gets to do that, but also it’s the grind of the season, right? So having time off with your family is also important.”
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Even though Tibbetts looked forward to the WNBA All-Star break from July 17-21, he would’ve been locked in as a WNBA All-Star coach if they the Mercury won at the Dallas Wings on Thursday, July 3.
But because of the Mercury’s 98-89 loss, Phoenix (12-6) slipped from second to third place in the league standings behind the defending champion New York Liberty (12-5).
Phoenix’s loss ushered in New York’s Sandy Brondello as an All-Star coaches instead, joining Cheryl Reeve of the Minnesota Lynx (15-2). All-Star coaches come from the teams with the two best records through July 4.
Just one week ago, the Mercury rose from third place to second after they routed New York for their league-best sixth consecutive win on June 27. The Mercury have been on a two-game skid, beginning with their home loss against the Las Vegas Aces, 94-91.
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The league made the announcement that Reeve will coach Team Clark and Brondello will helm Team Collier in the Indianapolis All-Star Game, which occurs at the Indiana Fever’s Gainbridge Fieldhouse July 19.
The All-Star teams are named for the top vote-getters, Indiana’s Caitlin Clark and Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier, and their teammates will be chosen on July 8.
Phoenix’s Satou Sabally was named among the All-Star frontcourt starters on July 1.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mercury’s skid costs Tibbetts lead role at WNBA All-Star Game
