What was supposed to be a match made in heaven quickly turned into a sour ending. DeWanna Bonner played just 9 games with the Fever before heading to the Mercury. Now, she’s back in Indiana for the first time since that exit. Yes, it’s Phoenix Mercury vs Indiana Fever. The third seed in the league is going up against the 6th seed. It promises to be an interesting affair.
Bonner coming back to Indiana isn’t the only storyline attached to this game. It also marks Sophie Cunningham’s first game against the franchise where she spent her first six seasons. “I have nothing but good things to say about Phoenix,” Cunningham said ahead of the game. “It was my home for six years. I created a lot of fond memories and relationships and close, close friendships out there. And so it’s gonna be really nice to see some of those people. But for me, I’m just all-in. I’m happy to be here in Indiana.”
This will also be the first time Coach Stephanie White faces off against Alyssa Thomas, a player she coached over the last two seasons with the Connecticut Sun. With all these storylines brewing, let’s dive into what promises to be a thrilling matchup!
Phoenix Mercury vs Indiana Fever: Where to watch
Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch on: ESPN 3
Streaming: Fubo
Phoenix Mercury vs Indiana Fever: Injury report
Phoenix Mercury
No injured players
Indiana Fever
Caitlin Clark- OUT
Probable Starting Lineups
Phoenix Mercury
Alyssa Thomas
Natasha Mack
Satou Sabally
Kahleah Copper
Monique Akoa Makani
Indiana Fever
Natasha Howard
Aliyah Boston
Kelsey Mitchell
Sophie Cunningham
Aari McDonald
Prediction: Can the Fever spoil DeWanna Bonner’s return to Indiana?
When we compare the form of these two teams, the Fever has a slight edge. Coach Nate Tibbetts’ side has won just 2 of their last 5 games, and much of it has to do with the fact that he’s exploring ways to incorporate DeWanna Bonner into the rotation. For the Fever, Caitlin Clark’s continued absence is a major blow. It’s her third injury of the season, and she’s already missed over 10 games. To make matters worse, the team still hasn’t provided a timeline for her return. Not exactly the news fans were hoping for.
Jul 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) after the game against the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
But ESPN is definitely not worried. They have given the Fever a 64.5% chance of coming away with a win. Of course, a lot has to do with the fact that they are playing in front of their home crowd and boast an 8-6 record at home so far this season. But there’s more. The Mercury are still trying to make roster adjustments to fit in their big 3 and DeWanna Bonner, and those will take time. The Fever game might come too soon for that.
Even the numbers don’t offer much clarity when it comes to picking a winner. The Fever has a slight edge on offense, averaging 84.4 points per game compared to the Mercury’s 83.1. But on the defensive end, it’s Phoenix who come out on top, holding opponents to just 79.8, while the Fever give up 80.4. It’s tight on both ends, making this one too close to call.
If we had to put our money on someone, it would be the Indiana Fever. Stephanie White’s side has shown they can win games without Caitlin Clark, who has played just 13 games this season. On top of that, they are also the team with momentum on their side, having won the last two games. Think we got it right? Drop your prediction in the comments below!
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