Phoenix Mercury Dominates Toronto Tempo 101-69
Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10:00 PM ET · Mortgage Matchup Center
Phoenix Mercury 101, Toronto Tempo 69, 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 Toronto Tempo vs Phoenix Mercury?
Phoenix Mercury beat Toronto Tempo 101-69 at Mortgage Matchup Center on August 29, 2026.
Who was favored in Toronto Tempo vs Phoenix Mercury?
Phoenix Mercury were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -340 (about 77% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup, the Phoenix Mercury triumphed over the Toronto Tempo with a final score of 101-69 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. This victory solidifies Phoenix's dominance in the series, as they now lead 2-1 against Toronto this season. The Mercury's performance was particularly notable given their recent struggles, having lost their last four games prior to this contest.
Phoenix entered the game with a home record of 14-26, but their recent form had been concerning, with a record of 2-8 over the last ten games and an average of 85.2 points scored while allowing 90.9. The Mercury had not won at home in their last five attempts, struggling to find consistency. In contrast, Toronto faced a similar fate with an away record of 11-29, and they had only managed to win once in their last ten games, averaging 83.5 points scored and allowing 93.4.
In their previous meetings this season, both teams had exchanged victories, with Toronto winning 89-80 in their last encounter on June 27 and Phoenix falling 90-98 in an earlier match on May 20. This game was crucial for both teams, but the Mercury capitalized on their home advantage and the struggles of the Tempo.
In terms of injuries, Phoenix was significantly affected, missing key players such as Kelsey Plum (lower leg), Kahleah Copper (ankle), Valeriane Ayayi, Kyara Linskens, and Jovana Nogic, all of whom were out for various reasons. Toronto also faced challenges with Maria Conde, Julie Allemand (head), Marina Mabrey (hip), Aneesah Morrow (knee), and Brittney Sykes (foot) all sidelined.
The betting market reflected the expectation of a Mercury victory, with DraftKings setting the spread at PHX -7.5, a total of 171.5, and home moneyline odds at -340. The conditions during the game were favorable for both teams, but Phoenix's ability to control the pace and scoring proved decisive.
Throughout the game, Phoenix showcased their offensive capabilities, leading to a commanding performance. Key scoring plays included contributions from various players, with standout moments such as Zaay Green's step-back jumpshot and Kiki Rice's free throws. Despite Toronto's efforts, they could not keep pace with the Mercury, who effectively utilized their home court advantage to secure the win.
As the game progressed, it became clear that Phoenix was in control, and they maintained a lead throughout, ultimately finishing with a 32-point margin. This victory not only boosts the Mercury's confidence but also highlights the challenges that both teams face as they navigate the remainder of the season.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the Phoenix Mercury and the Toronto Tempo at the Mortgage Matchup Center is particularly intriguing as the series is currently tied 1-1. Both teams have had challenging seasons, with the Mercury holding a home record of 13-26 and the Tempo at 11-28 overall. This game presents an opportunity for either team to gain an edge in their head-to-head record and potentially build momentum as they head into the latter part of the season.
In their recent form, the Mercury have struggled, recording a 2-8 record in their last ten games. They are currently on a four-game losing streak, with their most recent results including a loss to the Washington Mystics, where they fell 80-73 on August 28. Their average points scored at home over the last ten games is 85.2, while they have allowed an average of 90.9 points. Conversely, the Tempo have also faced difficulties, with a record of 1-9 in their last ten games and a three-game losing streak. Their latest match resulted in a 93-73 loss to the Las Vegas Aces on August 29. The Tempo's average points scored in their last ten games is 83.5, and they have allowed an average of 93.4 points.
When examining home versus away performance, the Mercury have struggled at home, with a record of 0-5 in their last five home games. They have averaged 85.0 points scored but have allowed 89.6 points during this stretch. The Tempo, on the other hand, have not fared well on the road either, with an away record of 0-7 in their last seven games. Their last five away games yielded an average of 78.6 points scored and 88.6 points allowed.
In terms of previous meetings this season, the teams have split their two encounters. The Mercury lost to the Tempo 90-98 at home on May 20, but they bounced back with a victory in their next meeting, winning 89-80 on June 27 while playing away.
Injury concerns loom large for both teams ahead of this matchup. The Mercury will be without Kelsey Plum, Valeriane Ayayi, Kyara Linskens, and Jovana Nogic, all of whom are out for reasons not related to injury, while Kahleah Copper is listed as day-to-day due to an ankle issue. For the Tempo, they will miss Nyara Sabally (calf), Maria Conde (not injury related), Julie Allemand (head), Marina Mabrey (hip), and Aneesah Morrow (knee), all of whom are out.
The betting market reflects the Mercury as the favorites, with DraftKings listing them at -8.5 on the spread and a moneyline of -340. The Tempo are priced at +8.5 and a moneyline of +270. The total for the game is set at 171.5, with both the over and under priced at -110.
As the game approaches, conditions in the arena will play a role, though specific details about the weather or court conditions have not been provided. Fans should watch for how the Mercury's home struggles might impact their performance, especially with key players potentially sidelined or limited. The Tempo will need to find a way to break their road woes and capitalize on the Mercury's recent form to secure a much-needed victory.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | PHX -7.5 | 171.5 o -102 / u -118 | Toronto Tempo +270 · Phoenix Mercury -340 |
Injury report
- Kelsey PlumOutLower LegPhoenix Mercury
- Kahleah CopperOutAnklePhoenix Mercury
- Valeriane AyayiOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Kyara LinskensOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Jovana NogicOutNot Injury RelatedPhoenix Mercury
- Maria CondeOutNot Injury RelatedToronto Tempo
- Julie AllemandOutHeadToronto Tempo
- Marina MabreyOutHipToronto Tempo
- Aneesah MorrowOutKneeToronto Tempo
- Brittney SykesOutFootToronto Tempo
Leaders
- PointsShay Ciezki15Phoenix Mercury
- AssistsAlyssa Thomas12Phoenix Mercury
- ReboundsNatasha Mack8Phoenix Mercury
- PointsIsabelle Harrison16Toronto Tempo
- AssistsKiki Rice5Toronto Tempo
- ReboundsIsabelle Harrison10Toronto Tempo
Recent form
Phoenix Mercury
Last 10: 2-8Streak L485.2 scored · 90.9 allowed per game0-5 at home
- L73-80vs Washington MysticsAug 28
- L84-94vs Washington MysticsAug 26
- L89-99vs Atlanta DreamAug 23
- L85-88vs Portland FireAug 16
- W94-87at Los Angeles SparksAug 12
- L75-95at Washington MysticsAug 9
- L72-75at Connecticut SunAug 7
- L82-96at Atlanta DreamAug 5
- W106-101at Chicago SkyAug 4
- L92-94vs New York LibertyAug 1
Toronto Tempo
Last 10: 1-9Streak L383.5 scored · 93.4 allowed per game0-7 away
- L73-93at Las Vegas AcesAug 29
- L78-90at Seattle StormAug 27
- L78-88vs Las Vegas AcesAug 23
- W82-79vs Portland FireAug 22
- L82-93at Washington MysticsAug 19
- L95-101vs Indiana FeverAug 18
- L88-94at Dallas WingsAug 13
- L95-107at Atlanta DreamAug 11
- L83-97at Portland FireAug 7
- L81-92at Golden State ValkyriesAug 5
Standings
| Team | Games behind | Lost | Streak | Win % | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | - | 14 | W1 | .650 | 26 |
| Indiana | - | 14 | W2 | .650 | 26 |
| New York | 2 | 16 | W1 | .600 | 24 |
| Washington | 2 | 16 | L1 | .600 | 24 |
| Chicago | 11 | 25 | L3 | .375 | 15 |
| Toronto | 15 | 29 | L4 | .275 | 11 |
| Connecticut | 16 | 30 | L3 | .250 | 10 |
| 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 | Toronto Tempo | Phoenix Mercury |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 23-62 | 37-77 |
| Field goal % | 37 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 4-22 | 15-34 |
| Three-point % | 18 | 44 |
| Free throws | 19-23 | 12-13 |
| Free throw % | 83 | 92 |
| Rebounds | 32 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 25 |
| Assists | 17 | 27 |
| Steals | 4 | 12 |
| Blocks | 3 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 7 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 24 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 5 | 28 |
| Points in the paint | 34 | 42 |
| Fouls | 12 | 19 |
| Largest lead | 0 | 47 |
| Lead changes | 0 | 0 |
| Time in front | 0 | 98 |
How the scoring went
- 3rd Quarter37-62Kia Nurse makes 11-foot pullup jump shot (Temi Fagbenle assists)
- 3rd Quarter37-64Lexi Held makes layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter37-67Noemie Brochant makes 22-foot three point jumper (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter39-67Kiki Rice makes driving layup
- 3rd Quarter39-69Shay Ciezki makes 5-foot floating jump shot
- 3rd Quarter39-71Noemie Brochant makes 2-foot two point shot (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter40-71Kiana Williams makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter41-71Kiana Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter41-74Shay Ciezki makes 25-foot three point jumper (Lexi Held assists)
- 3rd Quarter41-76Noemie Brochant makes running layup (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter41-79Lexi Held makes 22-foot running jump shot (Alyssa Thomas assists)
- 3rd Quarter42-79Kiana Williams makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter42-80Noemie Brochant makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter42-81Noemie Brochant makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter43-81Teonni Key makes free throw 2 of 2
- 3rd Quarter45-81Laura Juskaite makes running layup
- 3rd Quarter46-81Laura Juskaite makes free throw 1 of 1
- 3rd Quarter46-83Marta Suarez makes 6-foot two point shot
- 3rd Quarter46-86Maddy Westbeld makes 24-foot three point jumper (Noemie Brochant assists)
- 3rd Quarter49-86Laura Juskaite makes 26-foot three point jumper (Kiana Williams assists)
- 3rd Quarter49-87Shay Ciezki makes free throw 1 of 2
- 3rd Quarter49-88Shay Ciezki makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter49-90Marta Suarez makes 8-foot layup (Kara Dunn assists)
- 4th Quarter49-92Shay Ciezki makes 9-foot pullup jump shot
- 4th Quarter49-94Marta Suarez makes 1-foot layup (Maddy Westbeld assists)
- 4th Quarter49-95Marta Suarez makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter51-95Kiki Rice makes driving layup (Ornella Bankole assists)
- 4th Quarter51-98Marta Suarez makes 25-foot three point jumper (Shay Ciezki assists)
- 4th Quarter53-98Isabelle Harrison makes 2-foot two point shot (Kiki Rice assists)
- 4th Quarter54-98Isabelle Harrison makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter56-98Isabelle Harrison makes 7-foot two point shot (Kiki Rice assists)
- 4th Quarter56-99Marta Suarez makes free throw 2 of 2
- 4th Quarter58-99Zaay Green makes 13-foot step back jumpshot (Isabelle Harrison assists)
- 4th Quarter59-99Kiki Rice makes free throw 1 of 2
- 4th Quarter61-99Kiki Rice makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter63-99Teonni Key makes layup
- 4th Quarter66-99Kiana Williams makes 27-foot three point jumper (Kiki Rice assists)
- 4th Quarter68-99Ornella Bankole makes two point shot
- 4th Quarter69-99Ornella Bankole makes free throw 1 of 1
- 4th Quarter69-101Shay Ciezki makes 7-foot driving floating jump shot
Win probability
Above the line favours Phoenix Mercury, below favours Toronto Tempo.
Venue
- Mortgage Matchup CenterPhoenix, AZ
- Attendance11699
- OfficialsAmy Bonner, Kevin Fahy, Kelsey Reynolds
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WNBA rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Mercury Defeat Tempo in Close WNBA MatchupJun 27, 2026
- Toronto Tempo Defeats Phoenix Mercury 98-90May 19, 2026