July 9, 2026

Caitlin Clark Will Sit the Fever-Mercury Rematch. The Bad Blood Won't.

Caitlin Clark rests the back-to-back in Phoenix while Aliyah Boston returns to face Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta tries to snap a five-game skid on Prime Video, and A'ja Wilson may come back in Portland. Every tipoff time and channel below, plus Cheryl Reeve's record at last.

Indiana Fever (12-9) at Phoenix Mercury (8-14): the rematch, minus Clark

Tipoff 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. National TV: Amazon Prime Video (free for Prime members, exclusive national stream). In the Indianapolis market it also airs on WTHR Channel 13.

This is the night's headline, and the irony is that its biggest name won't suit up. Caitlin Clark is out on the second half of a back-to-back, still working through a back injury and a minutes restriction that limited her to nine points in 16 minutes in Wednesday's 106-92 loss at Los Angeles. Fever coach Stephanie White said the call came from the medical staff, not the matchup, and Clark is expected back Sunday at Las Vegas.

But the reason everyone circled July 9 is still in the building. It is the season series finale between two teams that split a pair of heated games in Indianapolis last month: a Fever win on June 22 that produced five technical fouls after a Clark-DeWanna Bonner confrontation, and a 111-109 Mercury win on June 24 when Alyssa Thomas drove her closed fist into Clark's throat on a loose ball. The league upgraded that play to a Flagrant 2 and suspended Thomas a game. Clark has not played a full game since.

Clark's absence means the rematch falls to Aliyah Boston, who sat Wednesday with a lower right leg injury so Clark could play, and will "flip-flop" back in tonight. Boston has not hidden that Thomas's blow in June still sits wrong with the Fever, so expect a charged atmosphere even without the league's biggest draw. Kelsey Mitchell (21.9 PPG) carries the Fever offense; Kahleah Copper (20.8) and Thomas (14.2 points, 8.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds) lead a Phoenix team that dropped to 8-14 with Monday's 77-66 loss to Chicago.

Injury notes: Clark out (back), Boston available (lower leg). Phoenix may again be without Natasha Mack (foot) and Sami Whitcomb (knee), who missed the last game.

Seattle Storm (6-17) at Atlanta Dream (12-9): Atlanta's skid meets Seattle's stirrings

Tipoff 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. National TV: Amazon Prime Video (free for Prime members, exclusive national stream). This is the early game of Prime's Thursday doubleheader.

Atlanta opens the night trying to end a five-game losing streak, its longest since an eight-game slide in 2024. The Dream have not played since July 4, an 88-83 home loss to Golden State, and they shot under 40 percent in four of the five defeats while averaging just 78 points after topping 100 in three of their previous four. Head coach Karl Smesko's squad spent extra time at the free-throw line and around the basket in practice this week. The good news: Rhyne Howard (18.9 PPG), Allisha Gray (18.5) and Angel Reese (14.9 points and a league-best 11.8 rebounds) were all named All-Star reserves.

Seattle, meanwhile, is showing signs of life after a woeful start. The Storm have won three of five following an 11-game losing streak, including an 82-64 win at Los Angeles on Monday that lifted their league-worst road record to 2-9. A win in Atlanta would be their first real road momentum of the year.

Injury notes: Atlanta's Brionna Jones is out (knee, expected back in the coming weeks) and Aaliyah Nye is day-to-day (knee). Seattle's Taina Mair is out (coach's decision); the Storm otherwise report no injuries.

Las Vegas Aces (15-6) at Portland Fire (9-12): Wilson's return could land in Portland

Tipoff 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT at Moda Center in Portland. Streaming: WNBA League Pass (out-of-market). Local over-the-air TV only: KMCC "The Spot" Channel 34 in Las Vegas and Rose City SportsNet (KPDX 49.1) in Portland. This one is not on Prime Video.

The defending champion Aces have looked ordinary without four-time MVP A'ja Wilson, dropping the Commissioner's Cup final to New York 93-85 on June 30 and losing at home to Indiana on Sunday. Wilson has missed three straight with an ankle injury but is listed as questionable and in line to return Thursday. Becky Hammon put the gap plainly: "It is not just her points. It is her gravity and her pull."

The expansion Fire arrive with their own modest turnaround. Portland snapped a three-game slide with a 77-72 win at Seattle behind Carla Leite's 20 points and now sits 6-5 at home. Las Vegas won the first meeting 105-89 on June 11, when Wilson went for 32. If she plays, the rematch tilts hard toward the Aces, who are 5-1 against the spread coming off a loss this season.

Injury notes: Aces, Wilson questionable (ankle), plus Dana Evans and Janiah Barker day-to-day (leg). Portland's Karlie Samuelson is questionable (left middle finger) after missing three straight.

Last night: Reeve finally gets 380, Valkyries set a franchise mark

• Lynx 86, Sun 80. On her third try, Cheryl Reeve became the WNBA's all-time winningest coach with her 380th regular-season victory, passing Mike Thibault. Minnesota used a 26-15 fourth quarter to pull away in Connecticut, winning without Napheesa Collier (ankle) and Olivia Miles (calf) as Kayla McBride scored 23. The Lynx are 16-6, the best record in the league.
• Valkyries 83, Tempo 75. Golden State set a franchise record with its sixth straight win and became the first WNBA team to 16 wins (16-7). Janelle Salaun dropped a career-high 26 off the bench, Kaitlyn Chen added 16, and the reserves outscored Toronto 52-20. The Tempo fell to 9-12 with their third straight loss.
• Sparks 106, Fever 92. Nneka Ogwumike had 24, eight and five as Los Angeles snapped a three-game skid and spoiled Clark's return. Clark played 16 minutes and scored nine.

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