Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury Prediction, 5/21/2026 WNBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Los Angeles Sparks vs Phoenix Mercury

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Location: Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, AZ

TV: Prime Video

Odds/Point Spread: Los Angeles (+2.5)

The Los Angeles Sparks (1-3) head to Mortgage Matchup Center on Thursday where they'll take on the Phoenix Mercury (2-3). Phoenix opens this matchup as 2.5 point favorites. The total is set at 175.5.

The Los Angeles Sparks stepped onto the hardwood against the Toronto Tempo and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 106-96 in their last game. Los Angeles wrapped up the game with a 51.6% field goal percentage (33 out of 64) and converted 7 out of their 23 shots from beyond the perimeter. At the free throw line, the Sparks converted 23 of 30 shots for a rate of 76.7%. With respect to pulling down rebounds, they compiled a total of 26 with 9 of them being offensive. They also doled out 26 assists for the matchup while forcing the opposition into 12 turnovers and having 6 steals. In relation to the defense, Los Angeles allowed the other team to go 47.5% from the field on 29 of 61 shooting. Toronto distributed 9 dimes and had 8 steals for the contest. Moreover, Toronto totaled 25 boards (9 offensive, 16 defensive) and had 3 blocks. Toronto ended up going 92.9% when shooting free throws by knocking down 39 of their 42 tries. They also converted 9 out of their 24 attempts from downtown.

Kelsey Plum is someone who played a role in the game. She ended up walking away with 28 points on 9 of 14 shooting. She played for 36 minutes and collected 1 rebound. Plum finished shooting 64.3% from the floor and also totaled 7 assists.

Get all of our WNBA Expert Picks

Los Angeles heads into this matchup with a record of 1-3 for the year. They are averaging 87.8 pts per contest (7th in basketball) while shooting 49.4% from the field. The Sparks are shooting 30.0% on three-point attempts (27 of 90) and 76.9% from the free throw line. As a unit, Los Angeles is pulling in 26.5 rebounds per contest and has totaled 76 assists so far this season, which has them ranked 10th in basketball in terms of passing. They lose possession by turning the ball over 16.8 times per contest and as a unit they commit 22.8 fouls per contest. On the defensive end of the court, the Sparks are able to force 13.8 turnovers per contest and they draw 22.8 personal fouls. They are 11th in basketball in giving up assists to their opponents with 90 relinquished on the season. The Sparks defensively are giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 51.0% (55 of 91) and they concede 28.8 rebounds per game as a group. They give up 34.6% on shots from beyond the arc and they rank 15th in basketball in points per game allowed (98.3).

The last time they took the court, the Phoenix Mercury took a loss by a final score of 98-90 when they faced the Toronto Tempo. The Mercury pulled down 30 defensive rebounds and 10 offensive rebounds for a total of 40 for this contest. They also gave up possession of the ball 15 times, while recording 5 steals in the matchup. The Tempo had 30 personal fouls in this matchup which got the Mercury to the charity stripe for a total of 28 tries. They were able to make 22 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 78.6%. In the matter of three-point shots, Phoenix made 4 of 22 attempts (18.2%). When all was said and done, the Mercury finished shooting 32 out of 70 from the floor which gave them a shooting percentage of 45.7%. The Mercury allowed the Tempo to make 34 of 74 tries from the floor which gave them a rate of 45.9% for the matchup. They went 41.7% from 3-point land by connecting on 15 out of 36 and ended up going 15 of 18 from the charity stripe (83.3%). When talking about cleaning the glass, Phoenix allowed Toronto to snag 27 in total (6 on the offensive glass).

Kahleah Copper ended up being important for the Mercury for the contest. She made 7 out of 18 for the game giving her a field goal percentage of 38.9%, and tallied 3 rebounds. Copper recorded 18 points in her 35 minutes on the hardwood and had 4 dimes for the contest.

Phoenix has a record of 2-3 on the year. When it comes to offense, the Mercury are shooting 43.7% from the field, which is ranked 9th in the league. Phoenix has accumulated 443 pts this season (88.6 per contest) and they snag 32.8 rebounds per game. They are dishing out assists 19.0 times per contest (8th in basketball) and they cough up possession 11.8 times per contest. The Mercury have committed 18.4 fouls per game and they shoot 80.9% from the free throw line. The Mercury on defense are ranked 7th in basketball in points per game surrendered with 86.0. They have allowed 19.0 dimes and 34.0 rebounds on a nightly basis, which is ranked 7th and 8th in basketball. The Phoenix defense gives up 34.9% on shots from beyond the perimeter (45 of 129) and their opponents are converting on 75.5% of their shots from the free throw line. They are able to force 12.6 turnovers per game and have let teams shoot 45.6% from the floor (9th in the league).

Who will win tonight's WNBA game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Los Angeles (+2.5)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Get WNBA picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bets by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.