As the Mercury continues what they hope to be a very deep Playoff run, the play of Leilani Mitchell off the bench has proven to be invaluable.

Prior to signing with Phoenix Mitchell played in 16 WNBA Playoff games, all with the New York Liberty. Indeed with a unique mix of youth and veterans on the Mercury, Mitchell’s experience has been a welcomed addition to the club.

“She’s a veteran,” Sandy Brondello said. “She adds another dimension of what we can do offensively. Certainly she can shoot the ball well but she’s also very good at creating opportunities for her teammates with her play-making ability. I feel very comfortable with her at any point during the game.”

Mitchell has played in every game this season for the Mercury, making 26 starts and eight appearances off the bench. She finished the season ranked 4th in the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage shooting 39.6-percent.

Her two most notable highlights, though, were her game-winners over the Sparks on July 5 and the Sun on August 27.

“That’s why they brought me here,” Mitchell said. “No matter what my role is, I just want to do the best thing for the team. Some nights I’m going to shoot more and others will involve me getting open shots for my teammates. We’re developing great chemistry at the right time.”

Mitchell was a huge boost off the bench in the Mercury’s Game 1 win over the Shock (88-55) scoring 12 points and dishing out a game-high six assists. Mitchell hit 3-of-4 three-pointers in the victory.

“I tell her to keep shooting,” Brittney Griner said. “Every time she puts it up I think it’s going to go in. She was big for us in Game 1 and I expect her to continue to play that way throughout the Playoffs.”