A chance to get closer to the playoff zone. Prediction for the Phoenix Mercury vs Chicago Sky game
Phoenix Mercury
Chicago Sky
In the WNBA regular season, the Phoenix Mercury will face off against the Chicago Sky. The game is scheduled for the night of Wednesday, July 8, with tip-off at 04:00 Central European Time. I’m offering a pick for the winner of this matchup.
Head-to-head and statistical facts
- Phoenix is riding a three-game winning streak.
- The Sky have lost their last six away games.
- The Sky haven’t beaten the Mercury on their home court since 2023.
- Phoenix has defeated Chicago in the last nine head-to-head meetings.
Phoenix is having a mixed season, but the team has shown marked improvement in recent weeks. By early July, the Mercury are 12th in the standings with a record of 8 wins and 13 losses, still holding a realistic shot at making the playoffs.
After a tough June, the team managed to stabilize their game and re-enter the race for a top-eight finish. The standout performer in recent games has been Kahleah Copper. The experienced guard has reestablished herself as the offensive leader, while Alyssa Thomas continues to put in a massive workload, remaining one of the league’s most versatile players.
Nate Tibbetts’ squad is gradually becoming more organized on defense. While Mercury often faltered in crunch time earlier in the season, now the team has significantly reduced turnovers and is showing more composure in half-court offense. The contributions from role players are especially crucial now, helping take some of the load off the stars.
The home court remains a big advantage for Phoenix. At the Footprint Center, the team plays with much more confidence than on the road, and the schedule offers a great opportunity to pick up key points against one of the season’s outsiders. A win would bring the Mercury one step closer to the playoff zone and keep them in the chase for a top-eight spot.
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This season has been much tougher for Chicago. The team sits near the bottom of the standings with a 6-14 record, and inconsistent results have prevented them from making a serious climb up the table so far.
After a bright start, the Sky have gradually lost ground, especially against stronger opponents. Despite their struggles, the team does have its leaders. Sydney Taylor, Kamilla Cardoso, and the experienced Courtney Vandersloot—who has brought more structure to the offense since her return—all play key roles. However, the main issue remains inconsistent shooting: Chicago too often goes cold for stretches when the offense grinds to a halt.
Recent games have shown that the Sky can challenge almost any opponent, but maintaining a high level for all forty minutes is still a problem. The young roster commits a high number of turnovers, and lack of experience often shows in crunch time.
Heading into the matchup with Phoenix, Chicago’s main task will be containing the home team’s stars. If the Sky can slow the pace and win the battle under the basket, the game could stay close until the final minutes. However, in their current form, Mercury look like the more balanced and confident squad—especially with the home-court advantage.
What’s the bet?
Phoenix comes into this game in much better form. The team has won three of their last four games and looks especially strong at home. The Mercury’s leaders are playing consistent basketball, and their offense is clearly more effective than Chicago’s. With that in mind, my pick is a Phoenix win.
