Eyebrows were raised around the WNBA when Phoenix Mercury star Satou Sabally was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Chicago Sky. Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts refused to go into detail as to why his All-Star forward did not play in Phoenix's 83-67 win over Chicago, remarking only that the absence was due to "personal reasons."
WNBA fans speculated that the absence was due more to personnel reasons. Tibbetts previously had benched Sabally for the entire second half of the Mercury's 95-72 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Friday, telling reporters postgame that she "didn't bring the energy" that Phoenix needed.
This, in turn, has led to whispers that Sabally -- who only joined Phoenix in a trade from the Dallas Wings six months ago -- could be dealt before Thursday's trade deadline. After a 15-6 start, the Mercury have lost five of the past seven games, and Sabally last scored more than 15 points during a loss in Dallas on July 3.
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However, Sabally was an active participant in the Mercury's shoot around on Tuesday morning, and she is not listed on Phoenix's injury report -- meaning she will make her return to the lineup on Tuesday night, when the Mercury host the Connecticut Sun at PHX Arena.
Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally is participating at Mercury shootaround ahead of Tuesday’s game vs. the Connecticut Sun.#WNBA pic.twitter.com/OW8jiSb7ZI
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) August 5, 2025
Sabally and star forward Alyssa Thomas were the two big additions in Phoenix this spring, when the Mercury turned over more than 80 percent of its roster in response to Brittney Griner's free agent departure and Diana Taurasi's retirement.
Sabally this season was named to her third All-Star team. She is averaging 17.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
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