ESPN reveals Mercury's key advantage in WNBA playoff race -- and it's not Kelsey Plum

The Phoenix Mercury's bold trade for All-Star guard Kelsey Plum was not just made with free agency and the 2027 season in mind.With their season teetering on the brink of disaster, the Mercury pushed their chips to the center of the table in an effort to steal the WNBA's final playoff spot.After making the WNBA Finals last season, Phoenix lost All-Star Satou Sabally in free agency and stumbled out of the gates with a 2-8 record. Now 12-20 -- and 1-1 since pulling off the Plum trade with the Los Angeles Sparks -- the Mercury on paper face daunting odds to catch the Washington Mystics for the No.8 seed.However, ESPN has named a key advantage for the Mercury that isn't directly tied to the Plum trade: the schedule.MORE: ESPN delivers clear verdict on Caitlin Clark’s WNBA MVP case"The Mercury