The Phoenix Mercury punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals with a close victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday. And just like that, head coach Nate Tibbetts couldn’t hold back his gratitude.
In just his second year leading the team, he has guided a revamped roster to new heights while adhering to a mantra of fighting for his team against the world. After the last game, Tibbets made an honest admission about Sami Whitcomb, but now he has bigger support from his family through it all.
Nate Tibbetts Gives It To His Family After WNBA Final Qualification
A team is built on not one but many pillars. Just like the icon players, the coaching staffs also pour their blood and sweat around the basketball rim to win it all. Not too different from that, Tibbetts, too, has two families to credit for the success. One was on his way back home in South Dakota, and another was in the Mercury locker room.
Both of their support have been his rock through the grind of professional coaching, making this Finals berth a deeply personal triumph. However, as the Mercury prepare to face either the Las Vegas Aces or Indiana Fever, Tibbetts’ emotional words after the win were the real highlight of the game.
“I was looking at my family. We took a chance coming to this league, coming to this organization. I had been living the NBA dream, and it was awesome,” he said.
Phoenix Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said he was looking up and smiling at his family in the final seconds.
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 29, 2025
Tibbetts mentioned his late father who coached high school girls’ basketball in South Dakota.
“Just looking around I know he would be so proud.”#WNBA pic.twitter.com/bguO76u92j
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Fresh off the thrilling win, Tibbetts turned reflective, sharing a heartfelt moment about his family’s role in his journey. Leaving a decade-long NBA assistant role for the WNBA brought risks, but his wife and daughters stood by him, embracing the move to Phoenix.
That leap of faith paid off, thanks to the Mercury’s commitment to win it all. Additionally, Tibbetts also praised owner Mat Ishbia and CEO Josh Bartelstein for delivering on their promises.
Nate Tibbetts Defends Alyssa Thomas After Napheesa Collier’s Injury
This Finals run wasn’t without hurdles. Early-season injuries to Copper and Natasha Mack tested Tibbetts’ nerves, and ESPN analysts doubted the Mercury, picking them to lose against the Liberty and Lynx. Sabally’s embrace of the underdog role kept things rolling.
However, the Mercury’s Game 3 win over the Lynx sparked a heated debate over a late-game incident. With seconds left, Alyssa Thomas collided with Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier while attempting a steal, sending Collier crashing to the floor with an ankle injury.
Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts starts his press conference by saying his entire team feels bad for Napheesa Collier, saying “you hate to see any player, especially a player of her caliber to go down in a series like this.”
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) September 28, 2025
He adds: “if anyone has a glimmer to think that AT made…
The play drew scrutiny, with no foul called despite Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve’s fiery protest, which led to her ejection and a Game 4 suspension. Social media erupted, with some fans labeling Thomas’ move as dirty. Tibbetts didn’t hold back in her defense at a press conference. He wholeheartedly supported his player despite the world being on the other side.