Coach Becky Hammon is not letting the Las Vegas Aces cool down for even a minute. After seeing her team drop off for a few minutes against the Atlanta Dream, she called a timeout and gave them an earful. “I got into them pretty good on that timeout. I just thought we went soft there for a moment. And you can’t go soft defensively with that team,” Hammon revealed after the game. 

The Dream were playing good, surging to a 67-57 lead with 8:44 to play, but Hammon’s words struck the right chord and the Aces pulled off nine straight defensive stops after that timeout, leading to their 8th consecutive victory. It was a fearsome A’ja Wilson who led the way like always, with 32 points and 12 rebounds. After the Dream, the Aces dive straight into the fire against the 21-13 Mercury, fueled by an MVP-charging Alyssa Thomas.

Even the Mercury had to come back in their matchup against a shorthanded Golden State Valkyries. They trailed 59-47 at halftime, but then dominated in the second with Kahleah Copper finishing with 25 points. However, it was a real team effort with 5 players finishing in double digits. That is a different approach than the Aces, who mostly depend on Wilson and Chelsea Gray to do the scoring. Before we dive into this stylistic showdown, here’s the lowdown on both stars’ fitness and everything to watch heading into the matchup.

Phoenix Mercury Vs Las Vegas Aces: Injury Report

Phoenix Mercury

Fortunately for Mercury coach Nate Tibbets, they are out of the woods when it comes to their injury crisis. Their trio of Copper, Satou Sabally, and Alyssa Thomas was not often available together earlier in the season. The Mercury is going full steam ahead with no reported injuries for their game against the Aces. 

Las Vegas Aces

The fans will be delighted to learn that the Aces are without any new injuries, too. Only Cheyenne Parker Tyus appears on the report, who is out due to her pregnancy. Rare treat this season: both teams’ stars are set to suit up, teeing up a mouthwatering matchup.

Phoenix Mercury Vs Las Vegas Aces: Where To Watch

Time: 10 p.m. ET

TV channel: Amazon Prime Video, AZFamily, Merc+, and Vegas 34

Location: Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas

Live Stream: Prime Video

Phoenix Mercury Vs Las Vegas Aces: Predicted Lineups 

Phoenix Mercury

Kahleah Copper 

Sami Whitcomb 

Alyssa Thomas 

Natasha Mack 

Satou Sabally

Las Vegas Aces

Kierstan Bell 

Jackie Young 

Chelsea Gray 

NaLyssa Smith 

A’ja Wilson

Phoenix Mercury Vs Las Vegas Aces: Match Preview And Prediction

The Phoenix Mercury went toe-to-toe with the Aces just a week ago. Unfortunately for Alyssa Thomas and Co., they ended on the wrong side of the 86-83 scoreline. Mercury were left stumped by the A’ja Wilson show, who put up 30 points and 16 rebounds, and they would have to be wary of the reigning MVP yet again. For the Aces, they have the same challenge as always: diversifying their points apart from A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray. 

Scoring is something that Phoenix are experts at doing, as they have 4 players on their roster averaging double digits in the last 10 games. Even in their winning run, the Aces only have 3 players averaging above 10, and most of the scoring load is carried by Wilson. On the other end of the court, the Aces have improved their defense, conceding only 82.5 points per game in their last 10. The Mercury’s attack is improving day by day, and the Aces are still prone to stretches where they drop off in intensity. 

When defending, Mercury has a simple mission: protect the boards and prevent A’ja Wilson from doing what she wants. But that is easier said than done with a driving Chelsea Gray around the corner. Fortunately for them, the Aces tend to take their time and measure up before making the play, being among the slowest teams in the league. 

In addition, the Mercury are among the best defenses in the league in the last 10 games, with a defensive rating of 100.1. “We like where we’re at defensively, but we also know that we can continue to keep getting better.” Nate Tibbets said last week, and stopping Wilson will be a promising sign that they are improving. It’s set up to be a very competitive match-up, and history beckons a close game. All of their 3 games this season were decided by no more than 6 points, and the ESPN predictor gives a 65.4% chance to the Aces. It’s a lot tighter than the forecasts suggest, but the Aces have the momentum, which could push them ahead.