The 2025 WNBA season has been a tough fixture that tested players’ patience and fitness with tight scheduling. Just when Sabally slammed the league’s scheduling after the Phoenix Mercury’s loss last month, it became more and more evident.
Moving forward from that, the Mercury forward has now taken “disrespect” to heart and proudly embracing the underdog role for the team.
Satou Sabally Channels Disrespect Into Motivation
Following their Game 3 triumph, Sabally transformed external doubts into a driving force for the Mercury’s playoff surge. During the media interaction, the young hoop star delivered her mindset loud and clear.
“ESPN, all, all of them, they ranked us really low (at the start of the season). To me, it’s a disrespect towards those two (Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas. They’re gold medalists, they’re all-stars. To put that type of disrespect towards people who’ve literally been in the league for so long… that just fuels us. We’re the underdogs. We have something to prove to ourselves more than to others, and I think this is really what bonds us,” Sabally said.
I asked Satou Sabally why she and the Mercury enjoy being underestimated.
— Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) September 27, 2025
“To me, it’s a disrespect to what those two (Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas) have done. They’re gold medalists. They’re all-stars. To put disrespect on people who have literally been in the league for so… pic.twitter.com/LFFGc3ikZO
However, her 23 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter, turned a six-point deficit into an eight-point win, with nine rebounds and relentless energy anchoring Phoenix’s effort. The Mercury outmuscled Minnesota 37-29 on the boards and scored 42 paint points to the Lynx’s 28 while testing their physical strength.
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Satou Sabally Pushes Phoenix Mercury Closer To WNBA Finals
Sabally’s Game 3 performance built on Phoenix’s momentum, and it has now placed them one win from the Finals with a home game on September 28 at PHX Arena.
Earlier, Phoenix’s balanced attack, with 18 points each from free throws and threes, overwhelmed Minnesota’s nine-point fourth quarter. Additionally, Collier’s probable ankle fracture, following a no-call collision with Thomas, and Reeve’s suspension after her ejection give Phoenix a clear advantage.