After the Phoenix Mercury swept the Chicago Sky in the W.N.B.A. finals last September, the league had reason to fondly reflect on the 2014 season.
Television ratings and attendance numbers were up. There were landmark achievements: for the first time, four female head coaches led their teams to the conference finals, and the former All-Star guard Becky Hammon was hired as an assistant with the N.B.A.’s San Antonio Spurs.
The auspicious glow was short-lived.
When the Mercury receive their championship rings Friday, the two best players from last season’s team will not be in uniform.