Venue: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon (Portland Fire’s home arena).
Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast primarily via WNBA League Pass; local radio options include 910 ESPN Portland.
Current Rosters
Portland Fire (head coach Alex Sarama; 5th in West, eliminated from playoffs):
Guards: Carla Leite (~15.9 PPG, ~6.3 APG), Jordan Harrison, Teja Oblak, Karlie Samuelson, Holly Winterburn, Sarah Ashlee Barker (when available).
Forwards/Centers: Bridget Carleton (~14.3 PPG), Emily Engstler (~5.5–10 RPG range), Megan DiLeo/Gustafson, Nyadiew Puoch, Serah Williams, Frieda Buhner, Luisa Geiselsöder, Amy Okonkwo.
Phoenix Mercury (head coach Nate Tibbetts; 7th in West, eliminated from playoffs):
Guards: Kahleah Copper (~21.3 PPG), Sami Whitcomb, Lexi Held, Noemie Brochant, Valeriane Ayayi, Shay Ciezki, Kara Dunn, Jovana Nogic (limited).
Forwards/Centers: Alyssa Thomas (~14.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 8.4 APG), Natasha Mack, Maddy Westbeld, Kyara Linskens, Marta Suarez.
Injury/Availability Reports
Phoenix Mercury:
Kelsey Plum: Out for season (leg).
Kahleah Copper: Day-to-day (ankle; missed some recent games, including Aug. 29).
Additional notes in some reports list other absences (e.g., Valeriane Ayayi, Kyara Linskens as not injury-related in certain contexts). Alyssa Thomas remains a central figure.
Portland Fire:
Sarah Ashlee Barker: Out for season (knee/ACL).
Sania Feagin: Out for season (knee/ACL).
Other potential absences noted in some reports (e.g., Carla Leite or others listed as not injury-related in specific previews). Core contributors like Carleton, Engstler, and Leite are expected to feature when available.
Expect Portland to lean on Leite’s playmaking and Carleton’s scoring, while Phoenix relies heavily on Thomas’s all-around production and Copper’s scoring if she is cleared.
Recent Team Forms
Portland Fire (mixed, home struggles): 5-5 in last 10; recent results include a road win at Atlanta (101-83 on Aug. 28) but a home loss to Golden State (69-86 on Aug. 30). On a three-game home skid entering this matchup. Offense around 86–87 PPG with solid assists.
Phoenix Mercury (struggling overall but recent bounce): 3-7 in last 10; snapped a skid with a dominant 101-69 home win over Toronto (Aug. 29). Offense ranks lower (~84 PPG) but Thomas provides elite facilitation and rebounding. Both teams are out of playoff contention and playing for development/pride.
Series History
Competitive in 2026. Portland won the most recent meeting 88-85 at Phoenix on Aug. 16 (Carla Leite 23 points; Kahleah Copper 19 for Mercury). An earlier matchup saw Phoenix prevail. This is the third meeting of the season. Historical edge is limited given the Fire’s expansion status, but recent results have been close.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Alyssa Thomas (Mercury all-around force – scoring, rebounding, elite assists) vs. Emily Engstler / Bridget Carleton (Fire forwards): Thomas’s facilitation and interior presence against Portland’s versatile wings.
Kahleah Copper (Mercury primary scorer, if available) vs. Carla Leite / Karlie Samuelson (Fire perimeter): Scoring and defensive matchups on the wing.
Carla Leite (Fire scoring/playmaking guard) vs. Sami Whitcomb / Lexi Held (Mercury guards): Creation and tempo control.
Secondary: Natasha Mack / remaining Mercury bigs vs. Megan DiLeo / Serah Williams for paint control and rebounding. Portland’s home energy and depth against Phoenix’s reliance on stars amid injuries.
The matchup is relatively even on paper, with home court and recent head-to-head giving Portland a slight edge if key pieces are available.
Betting Trends
Games between these teams have been tight (recent 3-point margin). Both sides allow points and have inconsistent form; Portland is on a home skid while Phoenix has shown scoring bursts. Totals trend higher given offensive capabilities when healthy. Both teams are eliminated, reducing intensity variance but increasing potential for individual performances.
GAME ODDS
Phoenix Mercury – 1.5
Portland Fire 175.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, September 16, 2026
