Venue: Crypto.com Arena — Los Angeles, California
Tip‑off: 7:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM ET
Surface: Hardwood
Capacity: ~19,000
Venue Profile — Crypto.com Arena
One of the league’s most iconic basketball venues:
Downtown Los Angeles location creates a high‑energy environment.
Fast hardwood floor favors pace‑and‑space offenses.
Sparks home games trend high‑scoring, especially in summer.
Phoenix historically struggles in LA, but recent meetings have been tighter.
Team Form & Statistical Profile
Los Angeles Sparks (10‑15)
Last 5 Games: W‑L‑W‑L‑L Points Per Game: 82.1 Points Allowed: 84.7 Home Record: 6‑7
Team Identity
Wing‑driven offense
Heavy reliance on Dearica Hamby, Rickea Jackson, and Lexie Brown
Defensive inconsistency, especially in transition
Strong rebounding team
One of the most volatile teams in the WNBA
Phoenix Mercury (9‑18)
Last 5 Games: L‑W‑L‑L‑W Points Per Game: 79.4 Points Allowed: 87.2 Road Record: 3‑10
Team Identity
Veteran‑led offense
Heavy reliance on Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, and Brittney Griner
Defensive instability
Struggle in late‑game execution
One of the weakest road teams in the league
Listed Injury Reports
Los Angeles Sparks
Dearica Hamby (F): Day‑to‑day — ankle soreness
Lexie Brown (G): Questionable — knee inflammation
Karlie Samuelson (G/F): Out — foot
Cameron Brink (F/C): Out for season — ACL (2024 injury recovery timeline extended)
Julie Allemand (G): Day‑to‑day — wrist
Phoenix Mercury
Brittney Griner (C): Day‑to‑day — shoulder tightness
Kahleah Copper (G/F): Questionable — quad strain
Diana Taurasi (G): Available — load management
Sug Sutton (G): Out — ankle
Natasha Cloud (G): Day‑to‑day — hip
Phoenix’s injuries are more structurally damaging, especially Copper and Griner.
Projected Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Sparks
G: Lexie Brown* G: Rickea Jackson F: Dearica Hamby* F: Rae Burrell C: Li Yueru
(*If Brown sits, Zia Cooke starts; if Hamby sits, Burrell shifts to PF and Nelson‑Ododa starts.)
Phoenix Mercury
G: Diana Taurasi G: Natasha Cloud* F: Kahleah Copper* F: Michaela Onyenwere C: Brittney Griner*
(*If Copper sits, Onyenwere moves to SF and Cunningham starts; if Griner sits, Turner starts at center.)
Key Player vs Player Matchups
1. Brittney Griner (PHX) vs Li Yueru (L.A.)
Griner’s post scoring vs Li’s size and rim protection.
Griner dominates in the mid‑post
Li struggles against elite footwork
Phoenix will feed Griner early
Edge: Griner — if fully active.
2. Dearica Hamby (L.A.) vs Michaela Onyenwere (PHX)
Hamby’s versatility vs Onyenwere’s athleticism.
Hamby excels in face‑up scoring
Onyenwere strong defensively but inconsistent
Sparks rely heavily on Hamby’s production
Edge: Hamby
3. Rickea Jackson (L.A.) vs Kahleah Copper (PHX)
Two elite wings with contrasting styles.
Jackson thrives in downhill drives
Copper excels in transition and slashing
If Copper is limited, Phoenix loses its primary wing threat
Edge: Jackson — due to Copper’s questionable status.
4. Diana Taurasi (PHX) vs Lexie Brown (L.A.)
Veteran shot‑making vs perimeter defense.
Taurasi still dangerous as a shooter
Brown provides strong perimeter containment
Sparks will try to force Taurasi into contested threes
Edge: Even — depends on Brown’s availability.
Recent Team Trends
Los Angeles Sparks
2‑3 in last five
Scoring 83.0 PPG
Allowing 86.2 PPG
Home games trending Over
Defensive rebounding improving
Phoenix Mercury
2‑3 in last five
Scoring 78.5 PPG
Allowing 89.0 PPG
Road games trending Over
Defensive collapse in fourth quarters
Series History
All‑time: Mercury lead 38‑32
Last 10 meetings: Sparks lead 6‑4
At Crypto.com Arena: Sparks 4‑1 in last 5
Sparks won the last meeting (June 2026) by 11 points
Betting Trends
Sparks ATS: 5‑5 in last 10
Mercury ATS: 3‑7 in last 10
Sparks Overs: 7 of last 10
Mercury Overs: 8 of last 10
Sparks ML at home: 6‑4 in last 10
Mercury ML on road: 2‑8 in last 10
GAME ODDS
Phoenix Mercury 177
Los Angeles Sparks – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, July 21, 2026
