Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury: Prediction, preview and odds | September 5, 2024

The ⁠⁠Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury matchup is one of the two WNBA games scheduled for Thursday. This will be the third and final meeting between them this season, with Phoenix leading the series 2-0. The two teams last met June 16, a game that the Mercury won 96-87.

The Mystics are sixth in the East and 10th overall with a 10-23 record. With just 1.0 game separating them from the eighth-placed Chicago Sky, they still have a chance of making the playoffs. The Mercury are seventh overall with a 17-17 record.

⁠⁠Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury game details and odds

The ⁠⁠Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury game is scheduled for 10 p.m. EDT on Thursday, Sept. 5, at Footprint Center. The game will be broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime. It will air locally on Arizona's Family Sports, Mercury Live (Livestream) and Monumental Sports Network. The game won’t stream live on WNBA League Pass and will be made available after it ends.

Moneyline: Mystics (+180) vs. Mercury (-220)

Spread: Mystics (+5.5) vs. Mercury (-5.5)

Total (O/U): Mystics -110 (o165.5) vs. Mercury -110 (u165.5)

Editor's note: The odds could change close to the game. The odds listed were as per available information at the time of writing.

⁠⁠Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury preview

The two teams have met 59 times in the regular season, with Phoenix leading the series 39-20. In their past 10 matchups, the Mercury lead 6-4.

⁠⁠Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury starting lineups

The Mystics will be without Shakira Austin, as she deals with an ankle injury. Washington coach Eric Thibault could start:

PG: Julie Vanloo SG: Ariel Atkins SF: Brittney Sykes PF: Aaliyah Edwards C: Stefanie Dolson

The Mystics’ main bench players should be Emily Engstler, Karlie Samuelson, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Sika Kone and Jade Melbourne.

As per their injury report, the Mercury could be without Charisma Osborne (lower leg injury) and Rebecca Allen (hamstring). Phoenix coach Nate Tibbetts could start:

PG: Diana Taurasi SG: Natasha Cloud SF: Kahleah Copper PF: Monique Billings C: Brittney Griner

Phoenix’s key bench players could be Sophie Cunningham, Sug Sutton and Natasha Mack.

Editor’s note: These are predicted starting lineups, which could change depending on the availability of players uncertain to play.

⁠⁠Washington Mystics vs Phoenix Mercury prediction

The Mercury are favored by the oddsmakers to win this game at home. While their recent record hasn’t been awe-inspiring, they should manage to get a win against Washington while covering the spread. This should be a high-scoring affair with the team total going past 165.5 points.