Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury: Injury Report, Starting 5, Prediction and More on Tonight’s WNBA Preview

Indy’s road trip wraps with a grudge match as the Fever will return to face a familiar foe. The Mercury squad that not only swiped veteran DeWanna Bonner but also handed Indiana a 35-point drubbing just weeks ago. Tonight, Natasha Howard and Kelsey Mitchell stand guard against a Phoenix attack powered by Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper.

Last time out, Thomas moved her way to yet another triple-double (18 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists) in her third straight such performance. She turned the game into a desert storm. Kahleah Copper, meanwhile, has been pure fire lately: 28 points against Chicago, 22 more against New York, carrying Phoenix with the efficiency of a metronome. So, let us break down Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury for you-

Where to Watch the Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury?

• Date: Monday, 1st September 2025
• Time: 8:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)
• Venue: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
• Streaming services: WNBA League Pass, Fever Direct,
• Cable services: NBA TV/WTHR

Injury Report

Indiana Fever

Phoenix Mercury

As opposed to the Fever, the Mercury enter tonight fully healthy, as they have been for much of the year.

Predicted Starting Lineup

Indiana Fever

• Natasha Howard (#6): 24.4 MIN, 11.3 PTS, 6.7 REB, 1.5 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK
• Aliyah Boston (#7): 30.3 MIN, 15.4 PTS, 8.3 REB, 3.6 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.0 BLK
• Odyssey Sims (#1): 26.9 MIN, 10.6 PTS, 2.3 REB, 4.1 AST, 0.6 STL, 0.0 BLK
• Kelsey Mitchell (#0): 31.6 MIN, 20.3 PTS, 1.8 REB, 3.4 AST, 0.9 STL, 0.2 BLK
• Lexie Hull (#10): 26.9 MIN, 7.0 PTS, 4.4 REB, 1.8 AST, 1.2 STL, 0.2 BLK

Phoenix Mercury

• Alyssa Thomas (#25): 32.0 MIN, 15.8 PTS, 8.9 REB, 9.2 AST, 1.6 STL, 0.5 BLK
• Natasha Mack (#4): 18.1 MIN, 4.7 PTS, 5.7 REB, 0.9 AST, 1.0 STL, 1.6 BLK
• Satou Sabally (#0): 26.9 MIN, 16.6 PTS, 6.1 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.3 STL, 0.4 BLK
• Kahleah Copper (#2): 27.2 MIN, 16.3 PTS, 3.0 REB, 1.7 AST, 1.1 STL, 0.1 BLK
• Monique Akoa Makani (#8): 21.8 MIN, 8.0 PTS, 2.1 REB, 2.6 AST, 0.8 STL, 0.1 BLK

How the Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury Go Down…

The Fever are walking in while still hurt yet Kelsey Mitchell, who averages 20.3 points per game, continues to be their central force. She is well capable of a major offensive outburst at any time. Indiana is also putting up an average of 84.5 points per game as a squad. However, their defense, which allows 82.2 points, has been unreliable. It reflects in their 4-6 record across the last ten games, missing depth.

Conversely, Phoenix is moving in a positive direction. The squad is riding a four-game winning streak. They have depended on Satou Sabally, who contributes 16.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and the all-around excellence of Alyssa Thomas, who averages 15.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9.2 assists. Kahleah Copper’s 22-point performance against Chicago served as a reminder of why she is the team’s ignition source. The Mercury’s defense has been more stubborn than Indiana’s as they are limiting opponents to just 79.6 points per game, and their 7-3 record over the last ten contests emphasizes their current momentum.

The season series is currently tied 1–1; Indiana won a high-scoring 107–101 battle in July, but Phoenix dominated them with a 95–60 victory in August. This matchup carries real significance: Indiana is barely holding onto 8th place with a 21–19 record, just ahead of Los Angeles, while Phoenix sits solidly in 4th at 25–14. Whether they win or lose, Golden State remains sandwiched between Seattle and Los Angeles, but for the Fever, every game from here on out is about keeping the Sparks behind them.

Ultimately, ESPN’s predictor forecasts a close game as it gives Phoenix a 53.8% chance to win against Indiana’s 46.2%. Considering Phoenix’s current form and Indiana’s injury troubles, the advantage leans toward the desert orange.