The 2013 WNBA season is the 17th season for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. There were high hopes for the Mercury after they drafted Brittney Griner first overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft. However, the Mercury got off to a slow start, and ultimately fired coach Corey Gaines on August 8, 2013, replacing him with Russ Pennell. Amber Cox, the Mercury President and CEO, took over Gaines' GM duties. Pennell helped turn things around, securing the third seed in the 2013 WNBA Playoffs. The Mercury earned a spot in the Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Lynx.