WNBA Game Preview: Chicago Sky (9-28) vs. Phoenix Mercury (23-14)

Game Details

Tip-off: 10:00 PM ET
Arena: PHX Arena • Phoenix, AZ
TV: Amazon Prime Video, The U, AZFamily, Merc+

Broadcast & Streaming Info

Watch live on Amazon Prime Video, The U, AZFamily or Merc+. Follow live stats and highlights on the official WNBA app and team social channels.

Recent Form

Phoenix Mercury (23-14) snapped a two-game skid with a 92-84 road win over the Los Angeles Sparks, paced by Satou Sabally’s 19 points on 50 percent shooting and Kahleah Copper’s 18 points (2-4 3PT).

Chicago Sky (9-28) fell 79-74 at home to Las Vegas despite Ariel Atkins exploding for 30 points (7 AST, 55.6 FG%, 3-5 3PT) and Kamilla Cardoso posting 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Team Overviews

Chicago Sky

Record: 9-28 (3-15 Eastern Conference)

Offense: 73.8 PPG on 42.2 FG% and 32.3 3PT%

Defense: Allow 83.8 PPG, opponents shoot 44.5 FG% and 32.9 3PT%

Key Players:

Ariel Atkins: 12.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG over last 10 games

Angel Reese: Tied league-high 20 double-doubles

Kamilla Cardoso: 13.4 PPG, 8.4 RPG

Phoenix Mercury

Record: 23-14 (13-9 Western Conference)

Offense: 83.2 PPG on 43.4 FG% and 31.5 3PT%

Defense: Allow 76.5 PPG, force 12.8 TOV per game

Key Players:

Alyssa Thomas: Leads league at 9.3 APG, seven triple-doubles this season

Satou Sabally: 16.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG

Kahleah Copper: 15.3 PPG over last 10 games

Coaching & Strategies

Chicago’s Teresa Weatherspoon emphasizes a half-court, post-driven attack, feeding Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso inside and generating kick-outs for Atkins’ perimeter shots. Special teams are less a factor in WNBA play, but Chicago will look to spark transition opportunities off defensive boards. Phoenix’s Vanessa Nygaard runs an up-tempo, assist-driven offense orchestrated by Alyssa Thomas. The Mercury use high-low actions between Thomas and their wings, spacing the floor with Sabally and Copper to attack closeouts and create open-look threes.

Key Matchups

Alyssa Thomas vs. Sky Defense: Thomas’ playmaking (9.3 APG) will test Chicago’s 4-2-5 help-side rotations. If she racks up two or more early assists, live-bet Mercury −12.5 before the line climbs.

Paint Battle: Copper & Sabally vs. Reese & Cardoso: Phoenix’s duo outscored Chicago’s frontcourt by 12 points per game in their last meeting. Back the Mercury to cover if the paint margin exceeds +8 by half.

Perimeter Efficiency: Chicago’s 32.3 3PT% vs. Phoenix’s close-out discipline. A hot 3PT start by the Sky could make +12.5 look generous—consider a live teaser if Atkins hits back-to-back triples.

Pace & Total: Both teams average a combined pace top-10 in the league. Lean the Over 163.5 if the first two possessions feature scores on both ends. Conversely, if Phoenix misses two of their first five shots, pivot to the Under early.