Phoenix Mercury rule out Bria Hartley for season



6:03 PM ET

Mechelle VoepelESPN.com

CloseMechelle Voepel covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball, and other college sports for espnW. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.

The Phoenix Mercury have lost guard Bria Hartley for the rest of the WNBA season due to a knee injury, coach Sandy Brondello said Sunday.

“Really unfortunate,” Brondello said. “She means so much to this team. She’s been playing great. Everyone is seeing what she is capable of. It’s been really a joy coaching her. Hopefully, she can have a speedy recovery and get back on the court with us next year.”

Hartley, a former UConn standout, was injured in Friday’s victory over the Washington Mystics. In her seventh season in the WNBA and first with the Mercury, she averaged 14.6 points and 4.5 assists.

“We need more from everybody,” Brondello said of who will make up for Hartley’s absence. “It’s by committee. It’s everyone playing their role to the best of their ability.”

The Mercury entered Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Lynx with just eight players. Forward Nia Coffey is out with a hand injury, center Brittney Griner left the WNBA’s bubble in Bradenton, Florida, for personal reasons, and forward Jessica Breland has missed this season after receiving a medical exemption.



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