{"id":110891,"date":"2025-08-01T18:10:10","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T18:10:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/110891\/"},"modified":"2025-08-01T18:10:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T18:10:10","slug":"wnba-can-alyssa-thomas-mercury-maintain-their-hold-on-third-place","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/110891\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA: Can Alyssa Thomas, Mercury maintain their hold on third place?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have five WNBA<\/a> matchups scheduled for Friday night on ION. <\/p>\n

There are four games at the same time, with the Phoenix Mercury playing the Atlanta Dream, the New York Liberty facing the Connecticut Sun, the Golden State Valkyries taking on the Chicago Sky and the Dallas Wings hosting the Indiana Fever all at 7:30 p.m. ET. Friday\u2019s action will conclude with the Los Angeles Sparks going on the road to play the Seattle Storm at 10:00 p.m. ET.<\/p>\n

Get your popcorn ready for Mercury-Dream!<\/strong><\/p>\n

On paper, tMercury-Dream is the most intriguing game on the schedule. Phoenix enters this contest with a 16-10 record, and Atlanta is sitting at 16-11. With the Dream hosting the game, they\u2019ll be at a slight advantage, but this is truly an even affair.<\/p>\n

Atlanta will be relying on the elite guard play of Allisha Gray in this one, especially since Rhyne Howard remains out with a knee injury and Jordin Canada is questionable due to illness. Gray is averaging 18.3 points per game this season.<\/p>\n

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Allisha Gray has moved into 6th place on the Atlanta Dream\u2019s all-time assists list (328), passing Shalee Lehning. The three-time All-Star, now in her third season with the Dream, is in the midst of an MVP worthy season. pic.twitter.com\/cJMXYI3jfS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Atlanta Dream PR (@ATLDreamPR) July 31, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Can the Mercury counter with their forward duo of Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas? Sabally is leading the team in scoring, dropping 17.6 per game. Alyssa Thomas is a maestro of basketball, averaging 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists on the season. <\/p>\n

We\u2019ll see which style wins out this Friday at the Gateway Center. <\/p>\n

Can the Fever keep on rolling?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite Caitlin Clark\u2019s groin injury absence, the Fever have not only been able to stay afloat, but shine. Indiana is currently on a three-game winning streak and stacking victories thanks to the trio of Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Aari McDonald.<\/p>\n

Mitchell, the longest-tenured Fever player, has increased her offensive output with Clark out. She\u2019s averaging 21.8 points per game during the team\u2019s last five outings. Boston is always good and is the team leader in minutes played during this non-Clark stretch, averaging 31.8 minutes per game. <\/p>\n

However, McDonald\u2019s current form is the most surprising. She has taken full advantage of her opportunities since joining the Fever, first on an emergency hardship exception and now on a rest-of-season contract.<\/p>\n

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Aari McDonald called GAME <\/p>\n

she recorded a career-high 27 points, went a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line and added 4 assists in last night’s win against the Mercury. pic.twitter.com\/u5TDkPtci9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 31, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the Fever\u2019s most recent 107-101 win over the Mercury, she scored 27 points on 7-for-11 shooting. With Indiana taking on Dallas on Friday, they will try to extend the longest winning streak in the WNBA to four games and counting. <\/p>\n

What else to keep an eye on<\/strong><\/p>\n

The other three games aren\u2019t quite as intriguing. <\/p>\n

The Liberty are one of the best teams in the WNBA, and the Sun are the opposite of that. Yes, Connecticut will be at home, but an upset of the Liberty, who will not have the injured Breanna Stewart but could have Emma Meesseman, just doesn\u2019t seem realistic. <\/p>\n

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Big news for the @nyliberty<\/a>
Emma Meeseman is IN New York and can join the team as soon as Friday in CT. Emma was just MVP of EuroBasket and is a former WNBA Finals MVP.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) July 30, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Valkyries won\u2019t be heavy favorites against the Sky, but this is another game that certainly seems to be heading in a certain direction. Chicago has struggled all year, with Angel Reese too often being the team\u2019s only reliable player. Reese is averaging 14.2 points and 12.6 rebounds on the season; however, she\u2019s expected to be out of the lineup again due to her lingering back issue. <\/p>\n

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Very lengthy injury report for tomorrow\u2019s Chicago Sky vs. Golden State Valkyries game:<\/p>\n

Angel Reese \u2013 OUT (Back)
Ariel Atkins \u2013 OUT (Leg)
Hailey Van Lith \u2013 QUESTIONABLE (Ankle)
Michaela Onyenwere \u2013 QUESTIONABLE (Knee)#Skytown<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 C. C.,Esq. (@ItsCwaysWorld) July 31, 2025<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Storm-Sparks might be a compelling game. Seattle is a top team in the WNBA, and the Sparks have been playing relatively well post-All-Star break. If they can clean up a couple of things, they could become a playoff team<\/a>. Winning a road game against an elite team would certainly demonstrate that they are beginning to turn things around in Los Angeles. <\/p>\n

Game information<\/strong>
\nPhoenix Mercury (16-10) vs. Atlanta Dream (16-11)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When:<\/strong> Friday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Gateway Center in College Park, GA<\/p>\n

How to watch:<\/strong> ION<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

New York Liberty (17-9) vs. Connecticut Sun (4-21)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When:<\/strong> Friday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT<\/p>\n

How to watch:<\/strong> ION<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Golden State Valkyries (12-13) vs. Chicago Sky (7-19)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When:<\/strong> Friday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL<\/p>\n

How to watch:<\/strong> ION<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Indiana Fever (15-12) vs. Dallas Wings (8-20)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When:<\/strong> Friday, August 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX<\/p>\n

How to watch:<\/strong> ION<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Los Angeles Sparks (11-15) vs. Seattle Storm (16-11)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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When:<\/strong> Friday, August 1 at 10 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

Where:<\/strong> Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA<\/p>\n

How to watch:<\/strong> ION<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n