Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty Prediction & Game Preview - August 18, 2023 | WNBA

The New York Liberty saw their six-game win streak come to an abrupt end as they fell to the Las Vegas Aces on August 17. However, the Liberty will have a chance to get straight back in the win column when they face the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, August 18.

The Mercury currently holds one of the worst records in the WNBA, having lost 21 of their 30 games. As such, the Liberty will feel confident about bouncing back from a tough defeat.

In the last meeting between these two teams, New York secured a 99-95 win over Phoenix, with that contest taking place on July 6.

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Phoenix Mercury vs New York Liberty: Prediction

The Liberty are one of the top two teams in the WNBA this year, and are a genuine contender to win a championship. The Mercury have struggled all season, and sit bottom of the Western Conference. As such, it makes sense to envision the Liberty walking away from their August 18 contest with a victory under their belt.

Brenna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu will likely be the two most talented players on the floor once the game tips off, and that will give New York a significant edge throughout the contest.

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New York Liberty roster

PLAYER	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	EXP	FROM
Stefanie Dolson	C	6-5 ft	235 lbs	JANUARY 8, 1992	9 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Sabrina Ionescu	G	5-11 ft	165 lbs	DECEMBER 6, 1997	3 yrs	OREGON/USA
Marine Johannès	G	5-10 ft	134 lbs	JANUARY 21, 1995	2 yrs	FRANCE/FRANCE
Jonquel Jones	F	6-6 ft	215 lbs	JANUARY 5, 1994	6 yrs	GEORGE WASHINGTON/BAHAMAS
Betnijah Laney	F	6-0 ft	166 lbs	OCTOBER 29, 1993	7 yrs	RUTGERS/USA
Epiphanny Prince	G	5-9 ft	179 lbs	JANUARY 11, 1988	13 yrs	RUTGERS/USA
Nyara Sabally	F	6-5 ft	204 lbs	FEBRUARY 26, 2000	R	OREGON/GERMANY
Breanna Stewart	F	6-4 ft	170 lbs	AUGUST 27, 1994	6 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Kayla Thornton	F	6-1 ft	190 lbs	OCTOBER 20, 1992	7 yrs	TEXAS-EL PASO/USA
Courtney Vandersloot	G	5-8 ft	137 lbs	FEBRUARY 8, 1989	12 yrs	GONZAGA/USA
Jocelyn Willoughby	G	6-0 ft	180 lbs	MARCH 25, 1998	2 yrs	VIRGINIA/USA
Han Xu	C	6-11 ft	203 lbs	OCTOBER 31, 1999	2 yrs	CHINA/CHINA

Phoenix Mercury roster

PLAYER	POS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	EXP	FROM
Sophie Cunningham	G	6-1 ft	170 lbs	AUGUST 16, 1996	4 yrs	MISSOURI/USA
Skylar Diggins-Smith	G	5-9 ft	145 lbs	AUGUST 2, 1990	9 yrs	NOTRE DAME/USA
Liz Dixon	F	6-5 ft	195 lbs	SEPTEMBER 29, 2000	R	LOUISVILLE/USA
Brittney Griner	C	6-9 ft	205 lbs	OCTOBER 18, 1990	9 yrs	BAYLOR/USA
Megan Gustafson	C	6-3 ft	195 lbs	DECEMBER 13, 1996	4 yrs	IOWA/USA
Moriah Jefferson	G	5-6 ft	130 lbs	MARCH 8, 1994	6 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Michaela Onyenwere	F	6-0 ft	178 lbs	AUGUST 10, 1999	2 yrs	UCLA/USA
Shey Peddy	G	5-7 ft	145 lbs	OCTOBER 28, 1988	4 yrs	TEMPLE/USA
Kadi Sissoko	F	6-2 ft	165 lbs	JANUARY 25, 1999	R	SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA/USA
Sug Sutton	G	5-8 ft	140 lbs	DECEMBER 17, 1998	1 yrs	TEXAS-AUSTIN/USA
Diana Taurasi	G	6-0 ft	163 lbs	JUNE 11, 1982	18 yrs	CONNECTICUT/USA
Brianna Turner	F	6-3 ft	170 lbs	JULY 5, 1996	4 yrs	NOTRE DAME/USA

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New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury: Where to watch

You can watch the contest on YES, AZ Family, FUBO, and WNBA League Pass.

The game will be played at the Barclays Center and is set to tip off at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

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New York Liberty vs Phoenix Mercury: Players to watch

Courtney Vandersloot has been putting in some big-time performances in recent weeks. She continued her good form against the Las Vegas Aces on August 17, registering 18 points and 13 assists throughout the contest. As such, Vandersloot will likely be expecting to have another big performance against the Mercury.

Beyond Vandersloot, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Jonquel Jones should all be considered legitimate threats to the Phoenix Mercury.

For Phoenix, Brittney Griner and Brianna Turner will look to control the boards, and the pace of the game, while Diana Taurasi and Sug Sutton will be tasked with leading the offense as both scorers and playmakers. Michaela Onyenwere is also likely to have a big role against the Liberty.