Scheduled Tip‑Off: 7:00 PM PT
Venue Type: Indoor arena; fast‑paced environment, strong shooting sightlines for guards.
INJURY REPORT
Golden State Valkyries
Cameron Brink — Active
Kelsey Plum — Active
Jackie Young — Day‑to‑Day (ankle)
Sydney Colson — Active
Phoenix Mercury
Diana Taurasi — Active
Brittney Griner — Day‑to‑Day (knee)
Kahleah Copper — Active
Sophie Cunningham — IL (shoulder)
CURRENT TEAM FORM
Golden State Valkyries — Last 10 Games: 7–3
Points per game: 87.2
Defensive rating: 100.9
Road record: 8–5
Strength: elite spacing, strong guard play, top‑tier rim protection
Weakness: turnover spikes in high‑pace games
Phoenix Mercury — Last 10 Games: 4–6
Points per game: 81.0
Defensive rating: 105.7
Home record: 6–9
Strength: veteran scoring, strong free‑throw rate
Weakness: interior defense, inconsistent bench production
KEY PLAYER MATCHUPS
Cameron Brink (GSW) vs. Brittney Griner (PHX)
Brink: elite shot‑blocker, strong pick‑and‑roll finisher
Griner: dominant post scorer, strong mid‑range game Edge: Brink — if Griner is limited; otherwise Even.
Kelsey Plum (GSW) vs. Diana Taurasi (PHX)
Plum: 21.4 PPG, elite three‑point shooter
Taurasi: 16.8 PPG, veteran playmaker Edge: Plum — speed and efficiency advantage.
Jackie Young (GSW) vs. Kahleah Copper (PHX)
Young: versatile scorer, strong defender
Copper: explosive slasher, elite transition threat Edge: Copper — matchup favors her pace.
Sydney Colson (GSW) vs. Sug Sutton (PHX)
Colson: defensive specialist
Sutton: emerging facilitator Edge: Even
SERIES HISTORY
2026 Season Series: Golden State leads 2–0
Last 10 meetings: Golden State 7–3
At Footprint Center (last 3 seasons): Golden State 4–2
Valkyries have won 5 straight vs. Mercury.
BETTING TRENDS
Golden State Valkyries
6–2 ATS in last 8 games
Over is 7–3 in last 10
Valkyries are 5–1 ATS vs. losing teams
Phoenix Mercury
3–7 ATS in last 10
Under is 6–4 in last 10
Mercury are 2–6 ATS in last 8 home games
Head‑to‑Head
Golden State has covered 4 straight
Over has hit in 5 of last 7
Valkyries average 89.3 PPG vs. Phoenix this season
ADVANCED ANALYTICS SNAPSHOT
Team Efficiency (2026)
Golden State: +4.9 net rating
Phoenix: –3.1 net rating
Key Metrics
Golden State turnover rate: 12.9%
Phoenix defensive FG% allowed: 45.7%
Golden State pace: 99.4 possessions/game
Phoenix offensive rebound rate: 29.1%
Projected Pace
Fast (100–102 possessions), favoring Golden State’s transition shooting.
MATCHUP BREAKDOWN
Golden State Advantages
Superior guard play
Better rim protection
More efficient three‑point shooting
Stronger bench depth
Phoenix Advantages
Copper’s slashing ability
Veteran scoring from Taurasi
Home‑court free‑throw rate boost
Key Swing Factors
Griner’s availability
Phoenix’s ability to defend the perimeter
Golden State’s turnover control
GAME ODDS
Golden State Valkyries – 5
Phoenix Mercury 156.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, July 28, 2026
