The Las Vegas Aces need some inspiration. They are not used to falling below the 0.500 mark, and they did after their 94-83 defeat against the Washington Mystics. The Aces saw a rookie in Sonia Citron clean them up with 21 points and 2 assists. A’ja Wilson led the Aces with a solid 22-point performance, yet it wasn’t enough to steer the team to victory in the back-to-back games

The Aces are 2-3 in their last five games and are looking very grey with A’ja Wilson the only bright mark, continuing her form from last season, where she snatched the WNBA MVP for a record third time. Wilson averaged 26.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.58 blocked shots, and 1.79 steals in 34.4 minutes in 38 games last year while ranking first in the WNBA in both points and blocks, second in rebounds, fifth in steals, and fourth in minutes, setting career highs in all five per-game categories. You can’t expect Wilson to replicate that kind of production every year. She is still putting out elite numbers by averaging 21.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, and can’t do everything alone. For now, it seems the team has failed to create a suitable supporting cast for Wilson. The team has not been good enough on defense and attack, being the 9th best in the league in both.

On the other hand, there aren’t many teams in the WNBA hotter than the Mercury. Phoenix is 8-2 in its last 10 games and has risen to second place in the WNBA standings, recently overtaking the Liberty with a record-setting 3-point barrage. It was the second-straight game in which the Mercury scored over 100 points, and with all of the team’s stars finally healthy, momentum is firmly on Phoenix’s side. Let’s find out the injury issues for both teams heading into this important clash.

Injury Report: Las Vegas Aces vs Phoenix Mercury

Megan Gustafson remains out with her lower leg injury, and her timeline for her return remains uncertain. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus is also out because of her pregnancy. Aside from these two, the Aces have all of their key players fully fit and raring to go.

For the Mercury, Lexi Held remains sidelined after suffering a collapsed lung in a freak collision with Breanna Stewart during the last matchup against the New York Liberty. Held stayed under observation in New York and was advised not to fly, but her determination to rejoin the team led her to take a three-day train journey across the country. Though she won’t suit up against New York and her return timeline is still unclear, her arrival in Phoenix gave the team a major emotional boost, with Mercury staff warmly welcoming her back.

Predicted Lineups:
Las Vegas Aces:

Jackie Young
Jewell Loyd
Chelsea Gray
Kiah Stokes
A’ja Wilson.

Phoenix Mercury

Kahleah Copper
Monique Akoa-Makani
Satou Sabally
Kathryn Westbeld
Alyssa Thomas.

Match Preview and Prediction: Las Vegas Aces vs Phoenix Mercury

As we discussed above, the Aces are having one of their worst seasons so far, falling below the 0.500 mark, while Phoenix is on an upward trajectory. Wilson is keeping things competitive for the Aces, and she was not around when these two teams last met. Satou Sabally scored 22 points with nine rebounds, Alyssa Thomas added 14 points and 13 assists, and the Phoenix Mercury defeated the Las Vegas Aces. Chelsea Gray led the Aces with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Loyd added 17 points, and Jackie Young had 15, but it was not enough to overcome the Mercury.

The Phoenix Mercury have flown under the radar this season, emerging as a legitimate force despite not featuring some of the WNBA’s most spotlighted stars like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, or A’ja Wilson. While media attention has often centered on individual standouts, Phoenix has thrived through resilience, chemistry, and an exciting brand of team-oriented basketball.

A major reason for their surge is the dynamic trio of Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, and Kahleah Copper, who have anchored the offense and fueled the team’s momentum. Sabally is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 19.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, and her performance often sets the tone for the Mercury’s success. Thomas, the league’s assist leader at 8.9 per game, has been the engine facilitating ball movement and creating opportunities.

Meanwhile, Copper, having recently returned to the starting lineup on June 15 after missing much of the season, has been steadily regaining form, averaging 13.3 points over her last three outings. Together, they exemplify the depth and cohesion that have powered Phoenix’s rise to contention. The ESPN predictor cannot predict who will take home this close clash, but gives a minimal edge to the Aces. Vegas has a 50.3% chance to take home the win, but it’s anyone’s game.

Vegas’s frail defense against this lethal Phoenix attack will have a difficult time, especially given their form in recent games, as they have scored over a hundred in both of their last two games. Phoenix need to go past this hurdle to firmly establish themselves ass a clear contender and make the most of their good form while the Aces need to get back on track to save their season.