We have four WNBA matchups this Friday evening on tap, with the 2-0 Phoenix Mercury underdogs against a Seattle team they dismantled just last weekend.
Elsewhere in the West, Kelsey Plum’s LA Sparks look to get back to .500 against a tough Golden State Valkyries team.
Surprisingly, no one is respecting this Phoenix Mercury team. Led by newly acquired Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, this team has one of the most complete rosters in the league and is 2-0 without All-Star Kahleah Cooper.
Phoenix beat Seattle 81-59 during opening weekend and won a close one against Los Angeles on Wednesday to keep their momentum rolling.
While Seattle played much better in game two, led by Diggins’ 21 points and Ogwumike’s 23 & 18, Phoenix has the more complete squad and should once again utilize their size and defensive speed to defeat Seattle.
Kelsey Plum is the Los Angeles Sparks' offense. KP is playing like an MVP candidate, averaging over 26 PPG and 5.7 APG alongside 2.7 steals per contest. She’s shooting lights out and has the Sparks 1-2 on the season.
Outside of Plum, this Sparks offense lacks scoring and playmaking across the board. They take on a Golden State team tonight that has allowed big games to Brittney Sykes and none other than Kelsey Plum in their opener.
After dropping 37 points on the Valkyries last weekend, expect the defense to adjust and force Plum to be more of a playmaker, which is where she will thrive.
Phoenix’s addition of Sabally automatically puts them in contention for the title this season. With Cooper still out of the lineup, expect Satou’s playmaking numbers to continue to rise as this season moves along and she gets more comfortable with her teammates in the desert.
Seattle allowed 53 boards and 19 assists to Dallas and 48 boards and 20 dimes to Phoenix in their opener.
Sabally should play above 30 minutes for the first time this season in a potentially tight matchup down the stretch, which should elevate these rebounding and playmaking numbers.