Seattle Storm host the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday at 6 p.m. EDT in a Western Conference clash in Seattle. The matchup comes on the heels of Seattle’s tight 80-78 win over Atlanta, a game highlighted by Skylar Diggins’s 21 points.
The Storm enter this contest with a 9-10 record against Western Conference opponents and sit among the league’s top teams in ball movement, averaging 21.5 assists per game. Diggins has been a steady facilitator, delivering 5.9 assists per game and producing 12.4 points per game over the last 10 outings.
Phoenix, 9-8 in Western Conference play, ranks sixth in the WNBA in assists per game at 20.7, with Alyssa Thomas driving the offense by averaging 9.0 assists. The Mercury have been efficient on offense, shooting 43.3% as a team this season, a shade below Seattle’s defensive opponents’ average and just ahead of the pace Seattle’s defense has faced all year.
This will be the fourth meeting between the teams this season. In the most recent encounter on June 8, Seattle prevailed 89-77, with Diggins pouring in 26 points and Satou Sabally leading Phoenix with 22.
Key players to watch include Nneka Ogwumike for Seattle, who is shooting 51.8% and averaging 18.2 points, while Diggins has been a consistent scoring presence, averaging 12.4 points over the last 10 games. For Phoenix, Alyssa Thomas has been a catalyst with averages around 16.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and a remarkable 9.0 assists per game, complemented by Kahleah Copper’s 14.6 points over the past 10 games.
Injury updates: Seattle forward Katie Lou Samuelson is out for the season with a knee injury. Phoenix does not have listed injuries.
What to expect: with Seattle’s pace and high assist totals, this game should feature rapid ball movement and multiple scoring options. Phoenix will lean on its guard play and Thomas’s playmaking to counter Seattle’s balanced attack and interior strength.
Outlook: this matchup offers an entertaining test of tempo and teamwork. If Seattle can sustain its sharing of the ball and capitalize on second-chance opportunities, they’ll push to extend their home-game edge; Phoenix will aim to keep the game up and force Seattle into a few more possessions.
Summary: a Western Conference showdown driven by playmaking guards and efficient shooting, where Seattle’s depth and ball movement meet Phoenix’s guard-forward cohesion and Thomas’s all-around impact. Fans can expect a competitive, fast-paced game with plenty of assists and timely scoring.
Positive note: both teams feature dynamic offenses and capable playmakers, which bodes well for an engaging and hopeful finish to the weekend for fans of fast, team-oriented basketball.