“I feel the tears already!” That one line captures the mood across The Valley as Brittney Griner heads back to the place that raised her, embraced her, and never stopped rooting for her. Phoenix isn’t just where BG played..it’s where she belonged for over a decade. And now, she’s coming home. To mark the moment, the Mercury are reviving one of her most heartfelt legacies – the Heart and Sole Shoe Drive. Fans at PHX Arena will be able to donate new or gently used shoes, just as they’ve done since Griner launched the initiative in 2016. So yes, the emotions will be running high. But let’s also take a look at how this game’s shaping up.
Where to Watch
Date: July 23, 2025
Time: 10:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm PT
Venue: PHX Arena
Watch on: CBSSN
Streaming: Fubo
Injury Report
Phoenix Mercury
Monique Akoa Makani (G): Out
Kalani Brown (knee): Probable
Atlanta Dream
Rhyne Howard (knee): Out for the remainder of July
Probable Starting Lineups
Atlanta Dream
Brionna Jones
Brittney Griner
Allisha Gray
Jordin Canada
Maya Caldwell
Phoenix Mercury
DeWanna Bonner
Alyssa Thomas
Satou Sabally
Kahleah Copper
Sami Whitcomb
Phoenix Mercury vs Atlanta Dream Prediction: Can Brittney Griner steal the show in Phoenix?
The biggest storyline heading into this game is Brittney Griner’s return to Phoenix. This will be her first game back in the Valley since signing with the Atlanta Dream in February. The Mercury’s Instagram page lit up with throwback photos celebrating her journey with the team even hours before tip-off.
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) celebrates a basket against the Indiana Fever during the third quarter at Footprint Center in Phoenix on June 30, 2024.
As for the game, it’s going to be a tight contest. The Mercury are coming off a loss to the Minnesota Lynx on July 16, which snapped their three-game win streak. They sit at 15-7, second in the Western Conference. The Dream, meanwhile, also lost their last outing to the Aces and are currently 13-10, sitting second in the East.
Phoenix hit a few bumps just before the All-Star break, dropping three of their last six games. Injuries played a big part as Lexi Held has been out for weeks, and recently both Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper were also sidelined. But after a full week’s rest, the team have key players back, and they’ve now added DeWanna Bonner after her exit from the Fever. This full star-studded lineup will be taking to he court for the first time.
History slightly favors Phoenix. They’ve won three of their last five meetings with Atlanta, including the most recent matchup in September 2024 (74-66). But the Dream have had their moments too, including two double-digit wins last August. Expect a hard-fought game.
That said, all eyes will still be on how the crowd welcomes BG. Mercury star Copper said, “I’m excited for the X Factor to go out there and give her the standing ovation she deserves.” Head coach Nate Tibbetts added, “What she’s meant to this organization and city is going to be hard to match… BG is a special person and we’ll all be excited to see her.”
Prediction: Mercury to win.
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