Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks Preview & Prediction (June 1, 2025)
The Sparks are back home at Crypto.com Arena, and they’ll be up against the Mercury. LA has had a bad stretch; they’ve lost three of their last four and haven’t looked very strong on home court. Phoenix started out the season stronger and has the better record despite dealing with injuries.
The Sparks have had trouble on the defensive end and haven’t been able to keep pace with teams that push the tempo. Phoenix has been the better squad on that front, and because they have more depth at their disposal, they’re in a better position to control the pace and get one in the win column.
Look below for all the deets on this matchup!
Game Details
- Matchup: Phoenix Mercury vs. Los Angeles Sparks
- Date & Time: Sunday, June 1, at 6:00 pm ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- Broadcast: League Pass
Team Comparison
Ok, so when we compare these two WNBA squads, how do they shake out? Look below for the stats and important info!
Phoenix Mercury
- Record: 4–2 (2–2 on the road)
- Last Game: Lost to Minnesota Lynx, 74–71
- Key Player: Kalani Brown – Averaging solid points and rebounds in recent games
Injuries
- Alyssa Thomas (F) – Out (calf), day-to-day
- Kahleah Copper (G) – Out (knee), expected return mid-June
- Natasha Mack (F) – Out (back), expected return early June
Los Angeles Sparks
- Record: 2–5 (1–3 at home)
- Last Game: Lost to Las Vegas Aces, 96–81
- Key Player: Kelsey Plum – Leading scorer and primary playmaker
Injuries
- Rickea Jackson (F) – Out (personal), day-to-day
- Cameron Brink (F) – Out (knee), expected return in June
- Rae Burrell (G) – Out (leg), expected return late June
Analysis & Insights
The Mercury have held their own during the early games of the season, even though they’re missing a few important players. They almost pulled off a win against Minnesota last time out—it was close until the final buzzer.
The Sparks are still attempting to put together a full four quarters. Injuries have taken a heavy toll on their rotations, and it’s showing in their defense.
Los Angeles is averaging 81.7 points per game, and Phoenix sits at 78.8. The Mercury have been more reliable; they only gave up 74.5 points per game compared to the Sparks’ 84.1. That defensive gap? It could be the difference if this game is close.
Betting Odds & Lines
If you’re betting on this one, here are the latest odds and lines via FanDuel:
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Mercury | +1 (-110) | -102 | Over 160 (-110) |
Sparks | -1 (-110) | -120 | Under 160 (-110) |
NOTE: Odds can change, so check for the latest before you put any money down!
Best Bets
We have our eye on a few solid wagers! Here’s what we think are the best bets for this game:
- Mercury -13.5 Spread: Phoenix has the stronger roster as of now and should be able to win it because the Sparks are missing some important players. They’ve also had a hard time on the road, so this one makes sense.
- Under 157.5 Total Points: Scoring could be on the lower side because both teams are missing offensive contributors. Neither squad is pushing the pace, and the Sparks in particular have had a really tough time generating points against teams with strong physical defenses.
- First Half: Mercury -7.5: The Mercury tends to start out strong, and the Sparks have fallen behind early in their recent games. Backing Phoenix to lead at the break feels like a safe way to play this one.
Our Final Prediction: The Mercury Win
We think that the Mercury is in a much better place going into Sunday’s game. They’ve defended well, stayed competitive with players out, and are up against a Sparks team that hasn’t been able to string together any solid stretches.
Even with the Sparks having home court advantage, they’re still dealing with injuries and trying to find stability on both ends of the floor. They’ve had a hard time staying competitive lately, and with a shorter rotation? It doesn’t look great. Phoenix isn’t at full strength either, but they’ve managed to play through it better.
The Mercury has been the more consistent of the two teams so far this season, so they have the upper hand.
Final Score Prediction: Phoenix Mercury 85, Los Angeles Sparks 78
