The Phoenix Mercury announced Monday that Brianna Turner and Diamond DeShields have returned to Phoenix.
The two had been finishing up their playing commitments in Italy, which caused them to miss the start of the season. Upon their return, the Mercury terminated the replacement contracts of Emma Cannon and Jennie Simms.
Cannon and Simms each saw some minutes in the Mercury’s season-opening 106-88 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Cannon had three points, two rebounds and one assist in six minutes on the court, while Simms added two points, four rebounds and one assist in 12 minutes.
The return of DeShields and Turner should provide a boost for Phoenix. DeShields, who joined Phoenix via a trade and recently opened up about a 2020 tumor diagnosis that threatened her career, is a WNBA All-Star who averaged 16.2 points per game in 2019. In 2021, she averaged 11.3 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Turner averaged 7.8 points per game in 2021 alongside 9.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks, and she brings a defensive presence that the Mercury were lacking against the Aces.
The Mercury next play the Seattle Storm at home at 10 p.m. ET Wednesday.