WNBA: Can Alyssa Thomas, Mercury maintain their hold on third place?

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We have five WNBA matchups scheduled for Friday night on ION.

There are four games at the same time, with the Phoenix Mercury playing the Atlanta Dream, the New York Liberty facing the Connecticut Sun, the Golden State Valkyries taking on the Chicago Sky and the Dallas Wings hosting the Indiana Fever all at 7:30 p.m. ET. Friday’s action will conclude with the Los Angeles Sparks going on the road to play the Seattle Storm at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Get your popcorn ready for Mercury-Dream!

On paper, tMercury-Dream is the most intriguing game on the schedule. Phoenix enters this contest with a 16-10 record, and Atlanta is sitting at 16-11. With the Dream hosting the game, they’ll be at a slight advantage, but this is truly an even affair.

Atlanta will be relying on the elite guard play of Allisha Gray in this one, especially since Rhyne Howard remains out with a knee injury and Jordin Canada is questionable due to illness. Gray is averaging 18.3 points per game this season.

Allisha Gray has moved into 6th place on the Atlanta Dream’s all-time assists list (328), passing Shalee Lehning. The three-time All-Star, now in her third season with the Dream, is in the midst of an MVP worthy season. pic.twitter.com/cJMXYI3jfS

— Atlanta Dream PR (@ATLDreamPR) July 31, 2025

Can the Mercury counter with their forward duo of Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas? Sabally is leading the team in scoring, dropping 17.6 per game. Alyssa Thomas is a maestro of basketball, averaging 16.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists on the season.

We’ll see which style wins out this Friday at the Gateway Center.

Can the Fever keep on rolling?

Despite Caitlin Clark’s groin injury absence, the Fever have not only been able to stay afloat, but shine. Indiana is currently on a three-game winning streak and stacking victories thanks to the trio of Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Aari McDonald.

Mitchell, the longest-tenured Fever player, has increased her offensive output with Clark out. She’s averaging 21.8 points per game during the team’s last five outings. Boston is always good and is the team leader in minutes played during this non-Clark stretch, averaging 31.8 minutes per game.

However, McDonald’s current form is the most surprising. She has taken full advantage of her opportunities since joining the Fever, first on an emergency hardship exception and now on a rest-of-season contract.

Aari McDonald called GAME

she recorded a career-high 27 points, went a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line and added 4 assists in last night’s win against the Mercury. pic.twitter.com/u5TDkPtci9

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 31, 2025

In the Fever’s most recent 107-101 win over the Mercury, she scored 27 points on 7-for-11 shooting. With Indiana taking on Dallas on Friday, they will try to extend the longest winning streak in the WNBA to four games and counting.

What else to keep an eye on

The other three games aren’t quite as intriguing.

The Liberty are one of the best teams in the WNBA, and the Sun are the opposite of that. Yes, Connecticut will be at home, but an upset of the Liberty, who will not have the injured Breanna Stewart but could have Emma Meesseman, just doesn’t seem realistic.

Big news for the @nyliberty Emma Meeseman is IN New York and can join the team as soon as Friday in CT. Emma was just MVP of EuroBasket and is a former WNBA Finals MVP.

— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) July 30, 2025

The Valkyries won’t be heavy favorites against the Sky, but this is another game that certainly seems to be heading in a certain direction. Chicago has struggled all year, with Angel Reese too often being the team’s only reliable player. Reese is averaging 14.2 points and 12.6 rebounds on the season; however, she’s expected to be out of the lineup again due to her lingering back issue.

Very lengthy injury report for tomorrow’s Chicago Sky vs. Golden State Valkyries game:

Angel Reese – OUT (Back)Ariel Atkins – OUT (Leg)Hailey Van Lith – QUESTIONABLE (Ankle)Michaela Onyenwere – QUESTIONABLE (Knee)#Skytown

— C. C.,Esq. (@ItsCwaysWorld) July 31, 2025

Storm-Sparks might be a compelling game. Seattle is a top team in the WNBA, and the Sparks have been playing relatively well post-All-Star break. If they can clean up a couple of things, they could become a playoff team. Winning a road game against an elite team would certainly demonstrate that they are beginning to turn things around in Los Angeles.