The air inside the Footprint Center feels different these days. For twenty years, you could count on one thing when the Phoenix Mercury hosted the Los Angeles Sparks: Diana Taurasi would be there, likely talking trash and hitting a logo three to break L.A. hearts. But it's 2026. The GOAT has officially hung up her sneakers, her No. 3 jersey is destined for the rafters, and this classic WNBA rivalry is undergoing a radical face-lift.
If you think this matchup lost its teeth because the legends moved on, you haven't been paying attention. Honestly, it’s gotten weirder and arguably more competitive. Last season, the Mercury shocked everyone by charging all the way to the 2025 WNBA Finals, only to be swept by the Las Vegas Aces. Meanwhile, the Sparks—despite a losing record—became the ultimate "trap team," highlighted by a late-season 88-83 win over Phoenix that nearly derailed the Mercury’s momentum.
The New Guard of the Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix isn't rebuilding; they're reloading. It’s a luxury most teams don’t have when losing a generational talent. Instead of a "gap year," the front office doubled down on a core of Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally.
Copper is basically the engine now. She averaged 15.6 points last year and remains one of the most fearless drivers in the league. You’ve seen her in the 2025 Finals—dropping 30 points in Game 4 even when the rest of the roster looked gassed. She plays with a chip on her shoulder that feels very "Phoenix." Then there's Alyssa Thomas. Adding "The Engine" to this roster was a masterstroke. She nearly averaged a triple-double last season (15.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 9.2 APG), which is just absurd when you consider she’s basically playing with two shredded shoulders.
The Mercury’s identity has shifted from Taurasi’s perimeter fire to a relentless, physical transition game. They want to beat you up inside and run you off the floor.
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Los Angeles Sparks: The "Big Three" in Waiting
L.A. is a different story. They’ve missed the playoffs for five straight years. That hurts. But for the first time in a long time, there’s actual logic behind the roster construction.
The Sparks have bet the house on a trio that sounds like a video game create-a-team: Kelsey Plum, Cameron Brink, and Rickea Jackson. Plum was the splashy trade that actually worked. She led the team with 19.7 points per game last year and brought a veteran "get-it-done" attitude to a locker room that was honestly a bit lost.
But the real ceiling for the Sparks depends on the kids.
- Cameron Brink: After that devastating ACL tear in 2024, she came back in 2025 like she had something to prove. She’s already one of the most terrifying rim protectors in the league. 61 blocks in her first 33 career games? That’s not normal.
- Rickea Jackson: She’s a pure bucket. She averaged 14.7 points as a rookie/sophomore and has this smooth, mid-range game that’s becoming a lost art.
When the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks matchup pops up on the calendar, it’s now a battle of styles. It’s Phoenix’s "win now" veteran grit versus L.A.’s "we’re next" athletic potential.
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Historical Context: Why They Hate Each Other
You can't talk about these teams without acknowledging the history. They were both there in 1997. They are the OGs. For years, the Sparks owned this matchup—holding a 61-46 all-time record over Phoenix.
The rivalry was built on the backs of Lisa Leslie and Diana Taurasi. It was Hollywood vs. The Valley. In 2013, the Mercury knocked the Sparks out in a 78-77 heartbreaker. In 2017, Taurasi broke the all-time scoring record in Los Angeles. Every time these teams meet, there’s a sense that the ghosts of 2000s playoff battles are still hovering over the court.
Even without those stars, the tension remains. The Sparks’ win in September 2025 proved they aren't intimidated by Phoenix’s deep playoff runs. They played spoiler, and they loved every second of it.
What to Expect in the 2026 Matchups
The 2026 season is a crossroads for both franchises. For the Mercury, the goal is finishing the job they started in 2025. They have the talent, but they are older. DeWanna Bonner is still a factor, but for how much longer? They need to capitalize on the Copper-Thomas-Sabally window right now.
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The Sparks are under immense pressure to finally break the playoff drought. With an expansion draft looms and the league growing, "rebuilding" is no longer an acceptable excuse in Los Angeles. If Plum and Brink can’t get this team over the .500 mark, questions will start being asked about the front office.
Key Factors for 2026:
- The Health of Satou Sabally: She missed the end of the 2025 Finals with a head injury. When she’s on, she’s a top-5 player. If she’s sidelined, Phoenix struggles to find that secondary scoring.
- Brink’s Defensive Growth: Can she stay out of foul trouble? That was her biggest hurdle in 2025. If she stays on the floor for 30+ minutes, Phoenix’s interior scorers like Kalani Brown are going to have a rough night.
- The Point Guard Battle: Watching Kelsey Plum go head-to-head with Kahleah Copper is worth the price of admission alone. It’s high-speed, high-stakes, and usually involves a lot of barking at the refs.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the Phoenix Mercury vs Los Angeles Sparks this season, keep these three things in mind:
- Watch the Pace: Phoenix wants to turn every game into a track meet. If L.A. can slow the ball down and let Brink set up her defense, they have a much better chance of pulling the upset.
- The "Home" Factor: Footprint Center is notoriously loud, but the Sparks have historically been one of the few teams that doesn't get rattled in Phoenix. Look for L.A. to cover the spread in away games.
- Focus on the Paint: Keep an eye on the rebounding battle. Alyssa Thomas usually dominates this, but if Rickea Jackson and Dearica Hamby can neutralize her on the boards, Phoenix's offense stalls.
The 2026 WNBA season is officially the beginning of a new era. The legends have moved to the front office and the broadcast booths, but the jersey colors and the bad blood haven't changed a bit. Whether it's a Tuesday night in Phoenix or a weekend matinee in L.A., this is still the matchup that defines the West.
To stay ahead of the curve this season, monitor the weekly injury reports for Satou Sabally and Cameron Brink, as their availability completely shifts the betting lines and tactical approach for both coaches. Tag the official team apps to get real-time lineup changes thirty minutes before tip-off.