Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Tip‑Off: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT
Broadcast: Amazon Prime / ROOT Sports NW / Arizona’s Family Sports
Venue
Moda Center — Portland, OR A 19,000‑seat arena with one of the league’s most energized new fanbases. Portland’s home‑court advantage has quickly become real: loud lower bowl, aggressive defensive energy, and a team that thrives on momentum swings. Opponents often struggle with Portland’s pace and physicality in this building.
Injury Report
Phoenix Mercury
Diana Taurasi — Probable (hip soreness; expected to play)
Kahleah Copper — Probable (ankle; full shootaround)
Brittney Griner — Out (foot; reevaluated in 2–3 weeks)
Natasha Cloud — Probable (knee soreness; limited minutes expected)
Sophie Cunningham — Questionable (illness; game‑time decision)
Portland Fire
Sabrina Ionescu — Probable (hamstring tightness; monitored but active)
Cameron Brink — Out (ACL; season‑ending)
Skylar Diggins‑Smith — Probable (wrist; taped but cleared)
Nyara Sabally — Probable (back tightness; expected to play)
Karlie Samuelson — Questionable (ankle sprain)
Key takeaway: Phoenix remains without Griner, leaving a major interior void. Portland is adjusting to life without Brink but still has strong guard play and spacing.
Team Records & Season Context
Phoenix Mercury (2–8)
Offense ranked 10th
Defense ranked 12th
Lost 5 of last 6
Struggling to defend the paint without Griner
Copper carrying heavy scoring load
Portland Fire (6–5)
Offense ranked 5th
Defense ranked 6th
Won 3 of last 4
Ionescu + Diggins‑Smith backcourt among league’s most efficient
Home‑court advantage has been significant (4–2 at Moda)
Recent Team Form
Phoenix (Last 5 Games: 1–4)
Averaging 77.0 PPG
Allowing 86.8 PPG
Copper averaging 24.3 PPG
Taurasi’s efficiency inconsistent
Interior defense collapsing late in games
Portland (Last 5 Games: 3–2)
Averaging 84.6 PPG
Allowing 80.4 PPG
Ionescu averaging 19.8 PPG, 7.1 APG
Diggins‑Smith finding rhythm as secondary creator
Sabally providing strong two‑way minutes
Key Player Matchups
1. Kahleah Copper (PHX) vs. Karlie Samuelson / DiJonai Carrington (POR)
Copper’s downhill scoring is Phoenix’s best weapon. Portland must wall off the lane and force her into contested mid‑range shots.
2. Sabrina Ionescu (POR) vs. Natasha Cloud (PHX)
Cloud’s physicality vs. Ionescu’s craft and shooting. If Cloud is limited, Ionescu could dominate the pace and shot creation.
3. Phoenix Frontcourt vs. Portland Interior Rotation
Without Griner, Phoenix relies on small‑ball lineups. Portland’s Sabally and Queen Egbo could control the boards and generate second‑chance points.
4. Skylar Diggins‑Smith (POR) vs. Diana Taurasi (PHX)
A marquee guard matchup. Diggins‑Smith’s speed and rim pressure vs. Taurasi’s experience and shot‑making.
Series History
2025 Season: Portland won 2–1
Last 5 Meetings: Portland leads 3–2
At Moda Center: Portland is 2–0 vs. Phoenix
Trend: Portland’s guard play has consistently overwhelmed Phoenix’s perimeter defense.
Betting Trends
Phoenix is 1–7 ATS in its last 8 games
Portland is 5–2 ATS in its last 7 home games
The Over is 6–3 in Portland’s last 9
Phoenix is 0–5 ATS in its last 5 road games
Portland is 4–1 ATS vs. teams below .500 this season
GAME ODDS
Phoenix Mercury 162
Portland Fire – 3
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, June 4, 2026
