The Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix was buzzing Thursday night as the Phoenix Mercury squared off against the Los Angeles Sparks, capping off a four-game homestand that has kept fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams entered the contest with something to prove: the Mercury, looking to stabilize after an uneven start, and the Sparks, eager to reverse a sluggish opening stretch and notch their first road win of the season.
Coming into the matchup, the Mercury held a 2-3 record, having opened their season with a statement win over the Las Vegas Aces in a WNBA Finals rematch, only to stumble in three of their next four games. The Sparks, at 1-3, had just split a pair of home games against the expansion Toronto Tempo, capped by a 106-96 loss in which Kelsey Plum dazzled with 28 points and seven assists, and Dearica Hamby contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. Yet, Los Angeles struggled with turnovers, fouls, and defensive lapses—issues that have plagued them since tip-off of the 2026 campaign.
Thursday’s game, broadcast nationally on Prime Video at 10:00 p.m. ET, was billed as a battle of the guards, with Plum leading the Sparks and Kahleah Copper anchoring the Mercury’s backcourt. The injury report had some notable absences: Sparks forward Sania Feagin was sidelined with a leg injury, while the Mercury were without guard Sami Whitcomb (knee) and Monique Akoa Makani (not injury related).
Fans and oddsmakers alike expected a tight contest, with Phoenix entering as slight favorites—1.5 to 2.5 points depending on the outlet—and the total points line hovering around 177.5 to 180.5. The Mercury, who had previously hit 37 free throws in a single game against Chicago, faced a Sparks team that had just allowed a league-high 39 free throws in their recent loss to Toronto. Both squads were desperate to shore up their defenses, with the Sparks giving up a league-worst 98.3 points per game and the Mercury surrendering 91.0 points per contest over their last four outings. Something had to give.
The game tipped off with immediate intensity. Early action saw Sparks forward Cameron Brink (22) scoring through contact and drawing a foul, setting the tone for a physical battle in the paint. Rae Burrell (12) slashed to the rim for Los Angeles, while Mercury’s Natasha Mack (4) answered with tough interior buckets of her own. Kahleah Copper, who’d been the Mercury’s spark plug all season, attacked relentlessly, though she was whistled for a technical foul in the first half, much to the frustration of head coach Nate Tibbetts, who was visibly animated on the sideline after a series of calls.
Jovana Nogic (29) provided a bright spot for Phoenix, draining a three-pointer and celebrating with palpable energy, but the Sparks’ guard play was simply relentless. Kelsey Plum, who leads the WNBA in scoring at 26.8 points per game, continued her torrid pace, slicing through the Mercury defense and orchestrating the offense with poise. According to Playbook’s PrizePicks preview, "Plum leads the WNBA in scoring at 26.8 PPG, marking the second time in her career averaging at least 20 PPG. The former University of Washington star has topped the 25-point mark in all four games, coming off a season-high 28 against Toronto on Sunday."
Dearica Hamby, as predicted, was a force on both ends. She battled DeWanna Bonner (24) for loose balls and found ways to score at crucial moments. Hamby’s consistency against Phoenix has been remarkable; as noted in the pregame analysis, "Sparks F Dearica Hamby scored 25 points in each of the last two games against Phoenix." Her presence in the paint and on the boards helped the Sparks control tempo and keep the Mercury from finding their rhythm.
On the Mercury side, forward Alyssa Thomas was tasked with keeping pace. Averaging a career-high 16.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game this season, Thomas tried to assert herself early. However, Los Angeles has been the league’s best at limiting opponent rebounds (28.8 RPG), and Thomas found herself boxed out on several key possessions. The Mercury’s perimeter shooting, which had been a strength in previous matchups with L.A., faltered; Phoenix had knocked down at least 10 three-pointers in every game against the Sparks last season but failed to reach that mark in this contest and in each of their past three outings.
Momentum swung back and forth, with both teams trading leads in the second and third quarters. The Mercury, who had captured three of four meetings with the Sparks last season, seemed poised to repeat their dominance. Yet, the Sparks’ resilience on the road—where they posted a 12-10 record last year—began to show as the game wore on. Los Angeles, despite being the only team among the top seven in field goal percentage with a losing record, found their shooting touch at just the right moments.
As the final quarter unfolded, the Sparks began to pull away. With Plum orchestrating the offense and Hamby cleaning up the glass, Los Angeles took advantage of Phoenix’s defensive lapses and cold shooting streaks. Rae Burrell continued to attack, and Cameron Brink’s energy on both ends of the floor kept the Mercury from mounting a serious comeback. Every time Phoenix looked to close the gap, the Sparks answered with a timely bucket or defensive stop.
When the dust settled, the Los Angeles Sparks emerged with a hard-fought 97-88 victory, snapping their early-season skid and handing the Mercury another tough home loss. The win was a statement for the Sparks, who overcame their turnover and foul woes to execute down the stretch. The Mercury, meanwhile, were left searching for answers as their homestand ended on a sour note. Phoenix’s inability to get consistent production at home and their struggles on defense were glaring in the face of a surging Sparks squad.
After the game, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts was seen rallying his team, determined to right the ship as the season progresses. The Sparks, buoyed by standout performances from Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, now look to build on this momentum as they continue their road swing. For fans, Thursday’s showdown was a reminder of just how quickly fortunes can turn in the WNBA—and that every game is a new opportunity for redemption or heartbreak.
With the Western Conference race heating up, both teams know the importance of every win. The Sparks’ victory in Phoenix could be a turning point, while the Mercury will regroup, eager to prove they can bounce back and contend with the league’s best. For now, all eyes turn to the next matchup, as the drama of the WNBA season continues to unfold.