Mercury release Saylor Poffenbarger, sign Shay Ciezki for rest of season

Phoenix changes its guard depth

The Phoenix Mercury released Saylor Poffenbarger and signed Shay Ciezki to a rest-of-season contract, according to the transactions log dated Sep 18. Ciezki’s workload across eight games places her in the rotation rather than at the end of the bench, so the move changes the group available for regular minutes.

Ciezki brings the larger role

Ciezki, a 5' 7" guard, has played eight games in the 2026 regular season, averaging 8.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 15.6 minutes. Her most recent appearance in PropSports game log was September 24.

Poffenbarger, a 6' 2" guard, has appeared in seven games during the 2026 regular season. She has averaged 0.4 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.9 minutes, with her most recent game in the ESPN log coming September 17.

Ciezki’s average workload would rank seventh among the 11 players who appeared in the Mercury’s last five games. That comparison places her minutes within the rotation rather than at the end of the bench.

Poffenbarger’s average would rank No. 12 against that same 11-player group. Her playing time fits the lightest-used end of the roster.

The available rotation

Among the healthy players who appeared in the Mercury’s last five games were Kahleah Copper at 32.5 minutes, Noemie Brochant at 28.4, Alyssa Thomas at 28, Natasha Mack at 24.6 and Sami Whitcomb at 20. The three lightest-used players in that window averaged 12, 11.8 and 11 minutes.

The observed injury report currently lists Kara Dunn, Kelsey Plum and Jovana Nogic as Out for the Mercury, further defining the group available for minutes.

Phoenix is 16-28 and the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference. The Mercury are 17 games back and have gone 4-6 over their last 10.

Other recent Phoenix moves

This is not Phoenix’s only recent roster change. Over the previous 30 days, the transactions log shows that the Mercury signed Poffenbarger to a seven-day contract on Aug 25 and waived DeWanna Bonner on Aug 24.