The Phoenix Mercury will play against the Portland Fire at the Moda Center. The game is set for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 10:00 PM. This game is part of the WNBA regular season.
The Phoenix Mercury have had mixed results in their recent games. They won against the Toronto Tempo with a score of 101-69. However, they lost their next two games to the Washington Mystics, with scores of 73-80 and 84-94.
The Portland Fire have also experienced ups and downs. They lost to the Golden State Valkyries, 69-86, but won against the Atlanta Dream, 101-83. Their recent game against the Dallas Wings ended in a loss, 78-96.
Fire Preview
The Portland Fire play in the Western Conference. They do not have a head coach or a division. Their record for the 2026 regular season is 16-24. At home, they have won 8 games and lost 12. They have the same record for away games.
In their last 10 games, the Fire have a record of 16-24. Their current streak is a loss of one game. They are ranked 0 in the Western Conference and 0 in their division. The team is not behind any other team in games back.
In a recent game against the Golden State Valkyries, the Fire lost 69-86. Emily Engstler scored 12 points and had 4 rebounds. Jordan Harrison and Nyadiew Puoch also contributed with points and assists.
Emily Engstler is a key player for the Fire. She averages 10 points per game and has a field goal percentage of 48.0%. Bridget Carleton and Carla Leite also play important roles in the team's performance. They contribute with points, rebounds, and assists each game.
Mercury Preview
The Phoenix Mercury had a challenging regular season in 2026. They ended with a record of 14 wins and 26 losses. At home, they won 6 games and lost 14. On the road, they performed slightly better with 8 wins and 12 losses.
In their recent games, the Mercury had a big win against the Toronto Tempo. They won by 32 points with a score of 101-69. Noemie Brochant stood out with 15 points and a high shooting percentage. Alyssa Thomas also contributed with 12 assists in that game.
Before their win against Toronto, the Mercury faced the Washington Mystics twice. They lost both games, with scores of 73-80 and 84-94. Alyssa Thomas was a key player, especially in the second game, where she scored 16 points and had 10 assists.
Throughout the season, Kahleah Copper was a consistent performer for the Mercury. She played all 40 games, averaging 20.2 points per game. Alyssa Thomas also played all games and was strong in rebounds and assists, averaging 7.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Fire vs Mercury
The game between the Portland Fire and Phoenix Mercury could be influenced by key player performances and recent form. Emily Engstler's scoring and field goal percentage will be crucial for the Fire. For the Mercury, Kahleah Copper's consistent scoring and Alyssa Thomas's playmaking abilities are vital. Both teams have similar away records, making this game competitive.
- Portland Fire Home Record: 8-12
- Phoenix Mercury Away Record: 8-12
- Emily Engstler Average Points: 10 per game
- Kahleah Copper Average Points: 20.2 per game
- Alyssa Thomas Average Assists: 8.0 per game
- Portland Fire Last Game: Lost 69-86 to Golden State Valkyries
- Phoenix Mercury Last Game: Won 101-69 against Toronto Tempo
Betting Insights
The Phoenix Mercury and Portland Fire are set for an interesting game. The Mercury have struggled recently, both straight up and against the spread. The Fire have shown some strength against the spread in their last ten games. Here are the top betting trends to consider for this game:
- The Fire are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The Mercury are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
- The Fire have a 52.5% ATS record for all games this season.
- The Mercury are 42.5% ATS for all games this season.
- The Fire have a 55.0% record on the Over for all games this season.
Free Betting Prediction for Fire vs Mercury
The Portland Fire and Phoenix Mercury have similar records, making this game close. The Fire have been better against the spread recently, going 7-3 in their last ten games. Emily Engstler's performance will be important for the Fire, especially her scoring and field goal percentage.
The Mercury come into this game as the favorite. Kahleah Copper's consistent scoring and Alyssa Thomas's playmaking are key strengths. The Mercury had a big win against Toronto, which might give them confidence. However, their overall record against the spread is not strong.
Considering both teams' recent performances and betting trends, the Fire might have an edge against the spread. The game could be competitive, but the Fire's recent form against the spread suggests they might cover. The Mercury are favored, but the Fire's ATS record makes them a solid pick.
- Our Free Prediction: Fire +2.5
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