Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack will remain sidelined after sustaining a bone bruise in her left foot, the team announced on Monday.
“Natasha Mack will be out after sustaining a bone bruise in her left foot,” the Mercury said in a press release. “She will be re-evaluated in two to four weeks.”
The injury brought unwanted news to a Mercury squad navigating the middle of the WNBA season. It sidelined one of the team's most consistent performers of the campaign.
The 6-foot-3 forward-center has provided a steady defensive presence for Phoenix while developing into an efficient scorer around the basket. Her rebounding and rim protection have helped stabilize the Mercury's frontcourt throughout the season.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mack has started 18 games this season and established career highs in several statistical categories. She is averaging 9.2 points, a team-leading 8.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.3 blocks, while shooting 60.9% from the field. She has also logged five double-doubles.
Phoenix have not officially disclosed when or how the veteran center suffered the injury. Mack last played on June 22 when the Mercury lost to the Indiana Fever.
The team first ruled her out ahead of their June 24 rematch against Indiana. That absence marked the start of her extended spell on the sidelines.
Following Monday's announcement, the 28-year-old shared a photo on her Instagram story. The image showed her left leg in a gray walking boot propped up on a stadium railing that overlooked a baseball field.
"Ahhh 😌,” Mack wrote on the photo.
The Chicago Sky selected Mack with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft after a standout career at Oklahoma State. She earned Naismith and WBCA Defensive Player of the Year honors during her final collegiate season.
Mack also spent time with the Minnesota Lynx before continuing her career overseas and joining Phoenix in 2024. She has since developed into one of the Mercury's most dependable interior players.
