What happened: Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb has been cleared to play and is available for game action. She returns to the active roster after missing the start of the 2026 season due to arthroscopic surgery on her left knee.

Why it matters: Her activation provides immediate depth to the Phoenix backcourt rotation as the regular season schedule intensifies. The coaching staff could opt to utilize her on a minutes restriction initially to manage the transition back to full game speed.

What to watch: Whitcomb's workload and on-court efficiency will be monitored closely during her initial appearances.