Mercury Edge Sparks in Close Contest
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 3:00 PM ET · crypto.com Arena
Phoenix Mercury 86, Los Angeles Sparks 82, final. Our WNBA picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks?
Phoenix Mercury beat Los Angeles Sparks 86-82 at crypto.com Arena on July 22, 2026.
Who was favored in Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks?
Los Angeles Sparks were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -121 (about 55% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested match at the crypto.com Arena, the Phoenix Mercury triumphed over the Los Angeles Sparks with a final score of 86-82. This victory not only adds to the excitement of the series, which is now tied 2-2, but also reflects the competitive nature of both teams as they vie for playoff positioning in the WNBA.
Both teams entered the game with similar records, the Sparks at 10-16 and the Mercury at 10-18. The Sparks have struggled recently, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games, and they are currently on a four-game losing streak. During this stretch, they averaged 89.7 points scored per game while allowing 97.7 points. Their last five games show a record of 1-4, with an average of 89.0 points scored and 94.0 allowed. In contrast, the Mercury have fared slightly better, going 4-6 in their last ten games and coming off a recent win against the Connecticut Sun. They are averaging 83.5 points scored and 88.0 points allowed during this span.
Home court advantage has played a role in the Sparks' performance, as they hold a home record of 3-1 in their last five games, while their away record is a troubling 0-6. The Mercury, on the other hand, have a balanced home and away record of 2-3 in their last five games. This fixture was particularly intriguing due to the teams' previous meetings, with the Mercury winning three of the last six encounters, including two victories earlier in the 2026 season.
In terms of injuries impacting the game, the Sparks were without Aaliyah Nye due to non-injury-related reasons. The Mercury faced a more significant injury crisis, missing Kelsey Plum (lower leg), Kahleah Copper (ankle), Valeriane Ayayi, Kyara Linskens, and Jovana Nogic, all of whom were out for non-injury-related reasons. This absence of key players for Phoenix added an extra layer of challenge for the team.
The betting market reflected the close nature of the matchup, with DraftKings listing the Sparks as 1.5-point favorites and a total set at 176.5. The odds indicated a competitive game, with the Sparks having a moneyline of -121 and the Mercury at +100.
Conditions for the game were typical for a summer evening in Los Angeles, providing a neutral backdrop for the players to showcase their skills. Fans were treated to a thrilling contest that saw multiple lead changes and a dramatic finish.
As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, the tension mounted. Key scoring plays included a layup by Dearica Hamby, a driving layup by DeWanna Bonner, and a crucial three-point jumper from Sami Whitcomb. The Mercury managed to maintain their lead, with timely baskets keeping the Sparks at bay. Ultimately, the Mercury's ability to capitalize on their scoring opportunities, despite their injuries, proved decisive in securing the victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LA -1.5 | 176.5 o -107 / u -113 | Phoenix Mercury +100 · Los Angeles Sparks -121 |
Injury report
- Aaliyah NyeOutNot Injury RelatedLos Angeles Sparks
- Kelsey PlumOutLower LegPhoenix Mercury
- Kahleah CopperOutAnklePhoenix Mercury
- Valeriane AyayiOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Kyara LinskensOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Jovana NogicOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
Leaders
- PointsRae Burrell20Los Angeles Sparks
- AssistsDearica Hamby5Los Angeles Sparks
- ReboundsNneka Ogwumike13Los Angeles Sparks
- PointsKahleah Copper21Phoenix Mercury
- AssistsAlyssa Thomas15Phoenix Mercury
- ReboundsAlyssa Thomas11Phoenix Mercury
Recent form
Los Angeles Sparks
Last 10: 3-7Streak L489.7 scored · 97.7 allowed per game3-1 at home
- L82-90at Dallas WingsJul 19
- L82-96at Chicago SkyJul 17
- L87-96at Minnesota LynxJul 15
- L92-101at Atlanta DreamJul 13
- W102-87vs Chicago SkyJul 11
- W106-92vs Indiana FeverJul 9
- L64-82vs Seattle StormJul 7
- L87-111at Indiana FeverJun 28
- L97-125at Toronto TempoJun 25
- W98-97vs New York LibertyJun 22
Phoenix Mercury
Last 10: 4-6Streak W183.5 scored · 88 allowed per game2-3 away
- W72-63vs Connecticut SunJul 19
- L83-96vs Connecticut SunJul 18
- L100-104at Minnesota LynxJul 14
- L58-106at Las Vegas AcesJul 11
- L89-92vs Indiana FeverJul 10
- L66-77vs Chicago SkyJul 8
- W90-67vs Seattle StormJul 3
- W89-80at Toronto TempoJun 27
- W111-109at Indiana FeverJun 24
- L77-86at Indiana FeverJun 23
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | - | 9 | L2 | .775 | 31 |
| Golden State | 2 | 11 | W4 | .725 | 29 |
| Las Vegas | 4 | 13 | W3 | .675 | 27 |
| Dallas | 7 | 16 | W4 | .600 | 24 |
| Portland | 15 | 24 | L1 | .400 | 16 |
| Los Angeles | 16 | 25 | W2 | .375 | 15 |
| Phoenix | 17 | 26 | W1 | .350 | 14 |
| Seattle | 23 | 32 | L1 | .200 | 8 |
Box score
| Stat | Phoenix Mercury | Los Angeles Sparks |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 35-74 | 28-70 |
| Field goal % | 47 | 40 |
| Three-pointers | 7-27 | 9-28 |
| Three-point % | 26 | 32 |
| Free throws | 9-13 | 17-21 |
| Free throw % | 69 | 81 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 26 | 27 |
| Assists | 28 | 20 |
| Steals | 10 | 5 |
| Blocks | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 18 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 17 |
| Fast-break points | 20 | 3 |
| Points in the paint | 54 | 36 |
| Fouls | 23 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 3 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 78 | 4 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter45-47Dearica Hamby makes two point shot (Ariel Atkins assists)
- 3rd Quarter47-47DeWanna Bonner makes 4-foot two point shot (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter49-47DeWanna Bonner makes 1-foot layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter49-48Erica Wheeler makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter49-49Erica Wheeler makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter51-49Alyssa Thomas makes layup (Sami Whitcomb assists)
- 3rd Quarter51-50Chance Gray makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter51-51Rae Burrell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter51-52Rae Burrell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter53-52Monique Akoa Makani makes running layup (DeWanna Bonner assists)
- 3rd Quarter54-52Alyssa Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter55-52Alyssa Thomas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter57-52Alyssa Thomas makes running layup
- 3rd Quarter57-54Dearica Hamby makes 11-foot floating jump shot
- 3rd Quarter58-54Alyssa Thomas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter58-57Cameron Brink makes 25-foot three point jumper (Dearica Hamby assists)
- 3rd Quarter60-57Natasha Mack makes 1-foot layup (Kahleah Copper assists)
- 3rd Quarter60-60Rae Burrell makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cameron Brink assists)
- 4th Quarter62-60Natasha Mack makes layup (Kahleah Copper assists)
- 4th Quarter64-60Kahleah Copper makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter64-62Ariel Atkins makes 16-foot pullup jump shot (Dearica Hamby assists)
- 4th Quarter66-62Kahleah Copper makes driving layup
- 4th Quarter66-64Nneka Ogwumike makes 15-foot jumper (Erica Wheeler assists)
- 4th Quarter68-64Natasha Mack makes 8-foot jumper (Kahleah Copper assists)
- 4th Quarter68-67Rae Burrell makes 23-foot three point jumper (Erica Wheeler assists)
- 4th Quarter71-67Kahleah Copper makes 22-foot three point jumper (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter73-67Kahleah Copper makes two point shot (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter73-70Ariel Atkins makes 25-foot three point jumper (Cameron Brink assists)
- 4th Quarter75-70Natasha Mack makes layup (DeWanna Bonner assists)
- 4th Quarter75-72Nneka Ogwumike makes 1-foot turnaround jump shot
- 4th Quarter77-72Sami Whitcomb makes 1-foot layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter79-72Natasha Mack makes 1-foot layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter79-74Dearica Hamby makes layup
- 4th Quarter81-74DeWanna Bonner makes driving layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter81-76Rae Burrell makes driving layup (Dearica Hamby assists)
- 4th Quarter84-76Sami Whitcomb makes 26-foot three point jumper (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 4th Quarter84-79Ariel Atkins makes 26-foot three point jumper (Dearica Hamby assists)
- 4th Quarter84-80Dearica Hamby makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter84-82Rae Burrell makes finger roll layup (Ariel Atkins assists)
- 4th Quarter86-82Monique Akoa Makani makes 1-foot two point shot (Alyssa Thomas assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Los Angeles Sparks, below favours Phoenix Mercury.
Venue
- crypto.com ArenaLos Angeles, CA
- Attendance16900
- OfficialsRoy Gulbeyan, Marcy Williams, Blanca Burns
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WNBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Phoenix Mercury Defeats Los Angeles Sparks 94-87Aug 11, 2026
- Sparks Edge Mercury in Overtime ThrillerJun 13, 2026
- Sparks Edge Mercury in Thrilling WNBA MatchupMay 21, 2026
- Sparks Edge Mercury in Thrilling WNBA ClashSep 9, 2025