- Matchup: Portland Fire vs Phoenix Mercury
- Date: Sunday, August 16, 2026
- Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
- Broadcast: ESPN
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On Sunday, the Phoenix Mercury (13-22) are set to face off against the Portland Fire (13-20) at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
In their previous game, the Portland Fire battled the Minnesota Lynx but were narrowly defeated with a score of 85-81. Portland finished the match with a field goal percentage of 45.1%, making 32 of 71 shots, along with 8 successful three-pointers out of 31 attempts. At the free-throw line, the Fire converted 9 of their 16 attempts, clocking in at 56.3%. They secured a total of 39 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end. The team recorded 21 assists while forcing 10 turnovers and claiming 7 steals. Defensively, the Fire allowed their opponents to shoot 46.2% from the field, converting 30 of 65 attempts. The Lynx dished out 6 assists and secured 9 steals, along with gathering 35 rebounds (6 offensive, 29 defensive), and blocking 5 shots. Minnesota’s free-throw shooting was strong, finishing at 73.1% with 19 made out of 26 attempts and hitting 6 out of 20 three-pointers.
Bridget Carleton was a standout player for Portland, scoring 16 points on 6 of 14 shooting. She played 33 minutes and grabbed 5 rebounds, achieving a shooting percentage of 42.9% and providing 2 assists.
This matchup sees Portland coming in with a 13-20 record for the season. They average 86.8 points per game, ranking 10th in the league, with a field goal percentage of 45.4%. The Fire excel at three-point shooting, hitting 35.3% from beyond the arc (335 of 950 attempts), and maintain an 81.1% free throw shooting rate. Team-wise, Portland secures 29.9 rebounds per game and has accumulated 688 assists this season, placing them 9th in the WNBA for assists. They average 14.5 turnovers and commit 22.2 personal fouls per game. Defensively, they force 13.6 turnovers and draw 18.6 fouls. However, they allow 91.6 points per game, which ranks them 13th in points allowed. The Fire surrender a 47.0% shooting percentage (449 of 615) and grab only 33.6 rebounds per contest, while being ranked 15th in the league for allowed assists, with 775 given up this season.
In their last outing, the Phoenix Mercury secured a 94-87 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks. The Mercury grabbed a total of 36 rebounds, including 29 defensive and 7 offensive. They struggled with turnovers, committing 23 but managed to secure 12 steals. The Sparks accrued 25 fouls, allowing the Mercury to shoot 30 free throws, converting 23 for a 76.7% success rate. From three-point territory, Phoenix made 9 out of 25 attempts (36.0%). Overall, the Mercury shot 31 of 60 from the field, achieving a shooting percentage of 51.7%. Defensively, they allowed the Sparks to convert 32 of 74 field-goal attempts, translating to 43.2% shooting and were vulnerable from three-point range, as Los Angeles went 7 of 32 (21.9%). Phoenix also allowed 33 total rebounds, with 11 coming from the offensive end.
Noemie Brochant had a significant impact on the game, converting 10 of 13 shots for a remarkable field goal percentage of 76.9%, alongside 3 rebounds. She finished with 24 points in 30 minutes of action, also providing 3 assists.
Phoenix enters this game with a record of 13-22 for the season. The Mercury commit an average of 18.5 personal fouls per game and shoot 78.2% from the charity stripe. They provide 19.9 assists per contest, ranking 11th in the league, while averaging 13.1 turnovers. With 2,935 points throughout the season, they average 83.9 points per game and secure 31.5 rebounds per matchup. Offensively, the Mercury shoot 44.4% from the field, placing them 10th overall. Defensively, they rank 9th in points allowed per game at 87.5. They allow opponents to hit 36.5% from three-point range (345 of 945) and give up 79.6% on free throws. The Mercury allow 21.7 assists and 34.1 rebounds per game, ranking 12th and 11th, respectively, while forcing 13.1 turnovers per game and permitting 46.3% shooting from the field (11th).
Who will cover the spread in tonight’s WNBA matchup?
Prediction: Back Portland
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