Jovana Nogic’s WNBA debut for the Phoenix Mercury was nothing short of historic, but her time in the desert has come to an end for now.
The Mercury confirmed on Monday, June 29 that Nogic will miss the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season due to “personal reasons,” a little more than a week after Phoenix temporarily suspended her contract on June 20.
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“This was not an easy decision, I love Phoenix, our organization and our fans,” said Nogic, who appeared in 16 games (seven starts) for Phoenix this season. “The Mercury community made me feel welcome from day one, and I look forward to returning to Phoenix next season.”
Nogic, who averaged 10.4 points per game while shooting 42.1% from the 3-point line, was the team’s third-leading scorer behind Kahleah Copper (20.1) and Alyssa Thomas (14.7), leaving the Mercury shorthanded with Natasha Mack (left foot), Sami Whitcomb (left knee) and Monique Akoa Makani (left hamstring) all sidelined.
More: Jovana Nogic’s strong start with Mercury already making WNBA history
The 28-year-old Serbian rookie recorded four or more 3-pointers in three of her first four games in the league. That includes a 27-point outing in Phoenix’s win over the Chicago Sky on May 15, where she went 5-for-8 from deep and set a WNBA record for the most points by an undrafted rookie.
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Nogic’s 64 points through her first four games marked the third most by any rookie in franchise history, according to the Mercury, trailing only Diana Taurasi (83) and Cappie Pondexter (85).
“As long as she’s smiling, it keeps going in,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said last month. “She’s an elite level shooter. She has fun while she’s doing it.”
Nogic last suited up for the Mercury on June 17 in Phoenix’s 86-76 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. She scored 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-6 3PT) in 21 minutes off the bench in the loss and said the Mercury will rely on each other to turn the season around after starting the season with a 4-12 record.
Mercury guard Jovana Nogic (29) celebrates a three pointer against the Sky during a game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on May 15, 2026.
“You lean on each other,” Nogic said. “That’s how you battle through it. When things aren’t going good for you, you try to make it to go good for somebody else and they give you strength as well.”
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But Nogic was ruled out for the Mercury’s next game over the Seattle Storm on June 20. Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said she wasn’t with the team due to “personal reasons,” a sentiment Phoenix Mercury General Manager Nick U’Ren echoed on Monday.
“The well-being of our players is our top priority,” U’Ren said in a statement shared by the team. “We appreciate the hard work, commitment and joy she brought to Phoenix this season.”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phoenix Mercury rookie Jovana Nogic won’t return for 2026 WNBA season
