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Phoenix Mercury Looking to Regain Form Against Seattle Storm
The Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm are two franchises that have defined eras of WNBA basketball, but on Sunday night, they meet in vastly different circumstances. The Mercury (19-13) are battling to hold playoff positioning after a recent slump, while the Storm (17-17) are fighting to stay above .500 as they chase late-season momentum.
This matchup, the final meeting of the season between the teams, is filled with playoff implications and star power. Let’s dive into what makes this clash so compelling.
Kahleah Copper’s Return Still in Progress
For the Mercury, the story begins with Kahleah Copper, the four-time All-Star who missed the first 11 games of the season recovering from knee surgery. Her absence forced Phoenix to adjust early, but now her return has sparked optimism — even if she hasn’t yet returned to her peak form.
Copper admitted the process has been difficult:
“I never experienced an injury in my career, so for it to hit me now, it was tough. Our support staff has been great, and our culture and my teammates have been great in helping me navigate through that and just being able to get back out there and doing whatever I can to help the team’s success,” Copper told ArizonaSports.com.
Copper is averaging 15.4 points per game through 16 starts, but that’s a noticeable dip from her career-high 21.1 PPG in her first season with Phoenix in 2024. She has struggled in recent outings, going just 9-for-29 from the field over the past two games.
Still, Copper’s energy and ability to get to the rim are vital for the Mercury, particularly against Seattle’s strong frontcourt defense.
Phoenix’s Supporting Cast
The Mercury are not short on offensive talent. They have three other players averaging double figures:
- Satou Sabally (17.3 PPG) – Phoenix’s most consistent scorer this year. She dropped 26 points in the narrow 86-83 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on Friday.
- Alyssa Thomas (16.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 6.1 APG) – A do-it-all forward who brings rebounding and playmaking.
- DeWanna Bonner (11.9 PPG) – A veteran presence with championship experience, who continues to provide stability.
Phoenix, however, has hit a rough stretch, going 4-6 over its last 10 games. Their issue hasn’t been scoring — they average 83.9 points per game — but rather late-game execution, as seen in close losses to Las Vegas and Minnesota.
Seattle Snaps Losing Streak
Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm snapped a six-game losing streak on Friday with a dramatic 80-78 win over the Atlanta Dream in Vancouver — the WNBA’s first-ever regular-season game in Canada.
The victory was defined by defense. Center Ezi Magbegor was dominant in the fourth quarter, swatting away three shots to preserve the win.
“Big blocks by Ezi, big defensive stops by the group just willed ourselves to this victory,” said head coach Noelle Quinn. “We’ve been in it like this the last couple of weeks, so it’s just kind of the same routine, persevering through each moment.”
Seattle is still only 3-8 in its last 11 games, but with the playoffs looming, the Storm are hoping Friday’s win sparks a turnaround.
Seattle’s Balanced Attack
The Storm boast one of the most balanced scoring lineups in the league:
- Nneka Ogwumike (18.2 PPG, 7.3 RPG) – The veteran leader and reliable inside scorer.
- Skylar Diggins (16.0 PPG, 5.1 APG) – A floor general who provides both scoring and distribution.
- Brittney Sykes (15.3 PPG) – A high-energy guard who thrives in transition.
- Gabby Williams (12.4 PPG) – A versatile forward who contributes on both ends.
- Erica Wheeler (10.7 PPG) – A stabilizing veteran presence in the backcourt.
Seattle’s challenge has been closing games. In multiple losses during their skid, they held late leads but faltered under pressure. Against Phoenix, who also struggles in tight finishes, execution in the fourth quarter will likely decide the outcome.
Mercury vs. Storm Season Series
Sunday’s game marks the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season.
- June 7: Seattle 92, Phoenix 78
- July 5: Phoenix 83, Seattle 76
- July 28: Seattle 86, Phoenix 80
Seattle leads the season series 2-1, but each contest has been competitive. The Mercury will be eager to even the series and build momentum heading into the final stretch.
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Key Matchup: Copper vs. Ogwumike
The most intriguing duel is between Kahleah Copper and Nneka Ogwumike. Both players are high-volume scorers who can take over games.
- Copper thrives on attacking the rim and generating free throws.
- Ogwumike’s efficiency inside, combined with her rebounding, makes her difficult to contain.
Whichever star gets more help from their supporting cast may tilt the balance.
Matchup Table – Mercury vs. Storm
Table: 2025 Mercury vs. Storm Team Comparison
| Category | Phoenix Mercury | Seattle Storm |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 19-13 | 17-17 |
| Leading Scorer | Satou Sabally (17.3 PPG) | Nneka Ogwumike (18.2 PPG) |
| Last 5 Games | 2-3 | 1-4 |
| Key Strength | Star power & scoring depth | Balanced lineup & rim protection |
| ATS Record | 15-15 | 13-17 |
Betting Outlook
- Spread: Phoenix may be a slight road favorite given Seattle’s struggles, but the Storm’s defensive effort in Canada could shift the line.
- Total: Both teams rank near the middle of the league in scoring efficiency. Expect a mid-range total (160–165 points).
- Props to Watch:
- Kahleah Copper scoring total (looking for a bounce-back after two poor shooting games).
- Nneka Ogwumike rebounds (she averages 7.3 RPG but will be tested against Thomas).
- Satou Sabally points (she has topped 20 in three of her last five).
Final Thoughts
The Phoenix Mercury are trying to reestablish themselves as contenders, while the Seattle Storm are clawing to stay in the playoff race. Both teams have stars capable of taking over — Kahleah Copper for Phoenix and Nneka Ogwumike for Seattle — but depth and late-game execution will determine the outcome.
