The Phoenix Mercury will face one of the WNBA's toughest teams before hosting one of the league's worst teams this week.
Phoenix will finish a two-game road swing with the Minnesota Lynx on Monday, then will head home to host the Connecticut Sun for the first time on Friday.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas looks to pass the ball during the third quarter against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena on July 11, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Minnesota has won both contests in Phoenix, most recently a 111-77 rout on June 1. Lynx point guard Olivia Miles and forward Natasha Howard were both named starters for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game.
Miles, a rookie out of TCU, is the only first-year starter in this year’s All-Star Game and the first Lynx player to be voted in as a rookie starter since Maya Moore in 2011.
The Sun had a rough showing in June, losing seven straight before winning the last two games of the month.
The Sun is led by former Mercury fan favorite Brittney Griner, who dropped 29 points against the Lynx on July 6. Griner spent 11 seasons with the Mercury after being drafted first overall in 2013. She set the WNBA's all-time career blocks mark on June 22, delivering her 878th block to reach No. 1.
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The Mercury will host the second of the back-to-back series against the Sun on Sunday, July 19.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) during the first quarter on July 11, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Phoenix is coming off a blowout loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.
The Aces got revenge on the Mercury for Phoenix’s 33-point rout in the season opener. This time, Aces forward A’ja Wilson scored 21 points and collected 15 rebounds to lead first-place Las Vegas to a 106-58 win.
The Mercury’s nine-point first quarter marked a season low as the team shot 17.6% (3 of 17). The Aces took advantage of the out-of-sync Mercury and went on a 9-0 run before the Mercury broke the drought.
With Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young facilitating, the Aces had eight assists on 11 field goals in the first quarter, including a smooth no-look play in the paint from Young to Wilson.
The Aces had a back-to-back scheduled against the Indiana Fever on Sunday, which prompted the starters to rest in the fourth quarter. The Aces’ stars still made a significant impact, as Gray scored 15 points with 11 assists. Las Vegas’ bench outscored the Mercury, 46-22.
Monique Akoa Makani and Lexi Held were the only Mercury players to finish in double figures, posting 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Phoenix Mercury guard Lexi Held (10) dribbles the ball against Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) during the third quarter on July 11, 2026, in Las Vegas.
Kahleah Copper’s nine-game hot streak came to an end with an uncharacteristic performance resulting in nine points on 28.6% shooting.
The Mercury (8-16) have now dropped the past three games.
