Sparks seek Mercury sweep in rare WNBA matinee
Los Angeles hosts Phoenix at 3 p.m. ET before the All-Star break, with CBS Sports backing the Sparks and Nneka Ogwumike’s scoring form.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The WNBA gets an early tip Wednesday in Los Angeles, where the Sparks host the Phoenix Mercury at 3 p.m. ET in the final slate before the league’s All-Star break.
CBS Sports betting writer Matt Severance called Mercury-Sparks the most evenly matched game on Wednesday’s six-game card, noting that the other favorites on the schedule were listed at least 5.5 points ahead. His single-game parlay play is Los Angeles on the money line paired with Nneka Ogwumike to score 15 or more points, priced at +124 at FanDuel.
Neither team is in playoff position
Phoenix enters at 9-18, sitting 13th in the WNBA, according to CBS Sports. FanDuel lists the Mercury at +1000 to reach the playoffs.
The Mercury snapped a five-game losing streak Sunday with a 72-63 home win over Connecticut. CBS Sports described Connecticut as arguably the league’s weakest team, but Phoenix still produced one of its stronger defensive showings of the season.
The 63 points allowed were the Mercury’s fewest since August 2025, according to CBS Sports. Phoenix also forced 21 turnovers and turned those mistakes into 22 points, the sixth time this season the team has scored at least 20 points off opponent turnovers.
The offense was less polished. CBS Sports reported that Phoenix shot 41% from the field and went 2-for-25 from 3-point range. It was only the second time since 2016 that the franchise won while making two or fewer 3s.
Bonner climbs the record books
DeWanna Bonner led Phoenix in the Connecticut win with a season-best 21 points and six rebounds. CBS Sports reported that Bonner became the Mercury’s all-time leader in rebounds, moving past Brittney Griner with 2,323 boards for Phoenix.
Bonner is also four rebounds away from passing Rebekkah Brunson for fifth place on the WNBA’s career rebounding list, according to CBS Sports.
Forward Natasha Mack returned Sunday after an injury absence of nearly a month. She came off the bench for four points and five rebounds in 20 minutes, with CBS Sports noting she was on a minutes restriction.
Sparks return home after rough road swing
Los Angeles is 10-15 and 10th in the league, with FanDuel pricing the Sparks at +310 to make the playoffs. The team has dropped four straight games, all away from home, and has averaged 16 turnovers during that slide, according to CBS Sports.
Sparks coach Lynne Roberts pointed to execution after the recent struggles. “I don’t know what the biggest denominator is on it, but that is what’s happening is the lack of execution,” Roberts said, according to CBS Sports. “I think it’s discipline. It’s focus.”
Los Angeles did get Cameron Brink back last week after a month out injured. Across three games, CBS Sports reported that Brink totaled 29 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, with her minutes increasing each time.
Ogwumike has been carrying a heavier load. She has three straight double-doubles, matching her season high, while averaging 19.3 points and 11.3 rebounds in that stretch, according to CBS Sports. Her 11 double-doubles are tied for fourth in the WNBA.
CBS Sports also reported that Ogwumike recently passed Lisa Leslie to become the Sparks’ career scoring leader and moved ahead of Candace Parker for third place in WNBA history in total rebounds.
The Sparks remain without injured guard Kelsey Plum, their leading scorer at 23.9 points per game. Los Angeles is 2-0 against Phoenix this season, with both wins coming in Phoenix, and averaged 104 points in those games. One went to overtime.
Severance noted that Los Angeles has won its last two home games while reaching 100 points in both, and that Wednesday’s annual Kids’ Day game is expected to be a sellout.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.