What happened: The Phoenix Mercury announced that guard Jovana Nogic will not return for the remainder of the 2026 WNBA season, citing personal reasons. The team did not provide a timeline beyond ruling her out for the rest of the campaign.

Why it matters: Losing a rookie rotation piece for the balance of the season thins Phoenix's backcourt depth as the schedule wears on. The decision closes the book on a debut campaign that had already been interrupted when her contract was temporarily suspended after 16 games.

What to watch: Watch for how Phoenix reshuffles its guard rotation and whether the club signs additional backcourt depth to fill the void.