Connecticut Sun vs Phoenix Mercury prediction & game preview - August 31, 2023 | WNBA

On Thursday, August 31, the Connecticut Sun and Phoenix Mercury face off in the WNBA, where the Sun will feel confident of winning.

Connecticut sits second in the Eastern Conference, having won 24 of their 35 games this season. However, Phoenix sit dead last in the league, winning just nine of their 35 games this season, and are on a six-game losing streak.

As such, Connecticut will feel confident in their ability to overcome Phoenix as they continue to prove their viability as potential champions at the end of the season.

In the last meeting between the two teams, Phoenix managed a 90-84 shock win However, Connecticut will believe they can avenge that loss and pile more misery onto the Mercury, inflicting their seventh straight loss.

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Connecticut Sun vs Phoenix Mercury prediction

Outside of the New York Libert and Las Vegas Aces, the Sun are one of the only teams that project as potential championship winners. Phoenix, meanwhile, holds the worst record in the league and can't buy a win with their current form.

As such, the Sun are the heavy favorites and expected to make it two straight wins.

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Connecticut Sun Roster

PLAYER	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	EXP	FROM
Rebecca Allen	G	6-2 ft	162 lbs	NOVEMBER 6, 1992	7 yrs	MELBOURNE/AUSTRALIA
Kristine Anigwe	F-C	6-4 ft	200 lbs	MARCH 31, 1997	4 yrs	CALIFORNIA/UNITED KINGDOM
DeWanna Bonner	F-G	6-4 ft	143 lbs	AUGUST 21, 1987	13 yrs	AUBURN/USA
Leigha Brown	G	6-1 ft	165 lbs	JULY 14, 2000	R	MICHIGAN/USA
DiJonai Carrington	G-F	5-11 ft	175 lbs	JANUARY 8, 1998	2 yrs	BAYLOR/USA
Tyasha Harris	G	5-10 ft	152 lbs	MAY 1, 1998	3 yrs	SOUTH CAROLINA/USA
Tiffany Hayes	G	5-10 ft	155 lbs	SEPTEMBER 20, 1989	10 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Natisha Hiedeman	G	5-8 ft	135 lbs	FEBRUARY 10, 1997	4 yrs	MARQUETTE/USA
Brionna Jones	F	6-3 ft	210 lbs	DECEMBER 18, 1995	6 yrs	MARYLAND/USA
Olivia Nelson-Ododa	C	6-5 ft	173 lbs	AUGUST 17, 2000	1 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Alyssa Thomas	F	6-2 ft	190 lbs	APRIL 12, 1992	9 yrs	MARYLAND/USA

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Phoenix Mercury Roster

PLAYER	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	EXP	FROM
Sophie Cunningham	G	6-1 ft	170 lbs	AUGUST 16, 1996	4 yrs	MISSOURI/USA
Skylar Diggins-Smith	G	5-9 ft	145 lbs	AUGUST 2, 1990	9 yrs	NOTRE DAME/USA
Liz Dixon	F	6-5 ft	195 lbs	SEPTEMBER 29, 2000	R	LOUISVILLE/USA
Brittney Griner	C	6-9 ft	205 lbs	OCTOBER 18, 1990	9 yrs	BAYLOR/USA
Megan Gustafson	C	6-3 ft	195 lbs	DECEMBER 13, 1996	4 yrs	IOWA/USA
Moriah Jefferson	G	5-6 ft	130 lbs	MARCH 8, 1994	6 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Michaela Onyenwere	F	6-0 ft	178 lbs	AUGUST 10, 1999	2 yrs	UCLA/USA
Shey Peddy	G	5-7 ft	145 lbs	OCTOBER 28, 1988	4 yrs	TEMPLE/USA
Kadi Sissoko	F	6-2 ft	165 lbs	JANUARY 25, 1999	R	SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA/USA
Sug Sutton	G	5-8 ft	140 lbs	DECEMBER 17, 1998	1 yrs	TEXAS-AUSTIN/USA
Diana Taurasi	G	6-0 ft	163 lbs	JUNE 11, 1982	18 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Brianna Turner	F	6-3 ft	170 lbs	JULY 5, 1996	4 yrs	NOTRE DAME/USA

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Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun: Where to watch

You can watch the contest on Amazon Prime, AZFamily, NBCS-BOS, WNBA League Pass and FUBO. The game will be played at the Mohegan Sun Arena and is set to tip off at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

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Phoenix Mercury vs Connecticut Sun: Players to watch

Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Rebecca Allen will be the three primary players the Sun will look up to against the Mercury. Tiffany Hayes and Natisha Hiedeman should also have big roles to play.

For the Mercury, Brittney Griner, Moriah Jefferson and Diana Taurasi are all capable of controlling games and leading their team to victory. Sophie Cunningham and Brianna Turner are both big impact makers for Phoenix.

Taurasi is among the most consistent sharpshooters in the WNBA, ranking fifth for conversion rate in 3-point attempts. That could force Connecticut to play a stringent brand of perimeter defense.