Liberty at the Mercury Today on ABC After Jonquel Jones's All-Star MVP

A Saturday national-TV doubleheader: Jonquel Jones, the first player ever to win league MVP, Finals MVP, Commissioner's Cup MVP, and All-Star Game MVP, leads the playoff-chasing Liberty into Phoenix on ABC at 3 p.m. ET, where the Mercury carry a season-best three-game win streak; earlier, A'ja Wilson and the defending-champion Aces go for a season sweep of the Sky on CBS at 1 p.m. ET.

New York Liberty (16-13) at Phoenix Mercury (11-18)

Tipoff 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. ABC national broadcast, also streaming on the ESPN app and fubo.

The lead game pairs the weekend's biggest stage with its freshest storyline. Jonquel Jones plays her first regular-season game since becoming the first player ever to win league MVP, Finals MVP, Commissioner's Cup MVP, and All-Star Game MVP. She completed it with a 22-point, 13-rebound, 8-assist All-Star Game that she dedicated to her late aunt. Jones anchors a Liberty team clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot after a 104-99 loss at Las Vegas on Thursday in which A'ja Wilson went for 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists and Breanna Stewart answered with 26 and 11.

The Mercury are playing their best stretch of the season, winners of three straight for the first time: 72-63 over the Sun, 86-82 at the Sparks, and a 91-89 comeback over the Valkyries on Wednesday in which Kahleah Copper scored 27 before fouling out. Copper is seventh in the league at 20.7 points per game, and Alyssa Thomas runs the offense at 14.4 points, 7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. The Liberty beat the Mercury twice in New York back in May (84-74 and 75-68, both keyed by Jones), and a win today completes the season sweep. Phoenix is essentially clean on the injury report. New York is without Satou Sabally (concussion) and Leonie Fiebich (foot), both expected back around August 3.

The question: can a surging Mercury team finally solve the Liberty at home, or does Jones pick up where her historic weekend left off and keep New York's playoff cushion intact?

Las Vegas Aces (20-8) at Chicago Sky (10-18)

Tipoff 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. CBS national broadcast, streaming on Paramount+.

The defending champions open a five-game road trip with the league's leading scorer and MVP frontrunner in top form. A'ja Wilson is averaging 26.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks, fresh off the 33/10/6 line that held off the Liberty on Thursday, and the Aces have won both meetings with Chicago this season (107-99 and 98-90) by riding Wilson and their depth. A win completes the sweep. Las Vegas sits second in the West at 20-8, three games behind the 24-6 Lynx, and has been better on the road (11-3) than at home.

The Sky are a long shot at 10-18, but they carry a three-game home win streak and just got DiJonai Carrington back. Carrington debuted Thursday after missing the first 27 games following foot surgery, scored 9 points in 16 minutes, and coach Tyler Marsh saved 10 of those minutes for the fourth quarter, when she delivered a key block and a dagger three in the 94-88 win over Connecticut. Kamilla Cardoso put up 26 in that game, 18 in the fourth quarter, and her 14.5-point, 8.3-rebound, 59-percent-shooting season is the Sky's anchor. The frontcourt duel between Cardoso and Wilson is the matchup to watch.

Chicago is without Skylar Diggins (ninth straight game out, right knee, week-to-week with no timetable), Azura Stevens (personal), and Rickea Jackson (season, ACL). Las Vegas is without Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (concussion, away from the team) and Janiah Barker (season, leg); Kierstan Bell is questionable with a leg injury that has cost her five games.

Last night: Clark's triple-double, Reese's record, and the Mystics' streak

Caitlin Clark posted her fourth career triple-double, 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, as the Fever beat the Fire 112-98 in Portland for their fifth straight win. Kelsey Mitchell added 26, and Bridget Carleton scored 26 in the Fire's fourth straight loss. Indiana is 19-10 and alone atop the East.

Angel Reese had 21 points and 13 rebounds for her WNBA-leading 19th double-double and set the Atlanta Dream franchise record for offensive rebounds in a season, as the Dream beat the Storm 98-89 for their fifth straight. Naz Hillmon scored 18 and Allisha Gray 16. Atlanta is 18-10, a half-game behind Indiana. Seattle fell to 6-25.

Shakira Austin scored a season-high 28 with 10 rebounds and Kiki Iriafen added 22 and 9 as the Mystics beat the Wings 81-75 for their first four-game winning streak since September 2020. Washington closed it out with 10 straight free throws. The Mystics are 16-12 and hold the seventh seed; Dallas dropped to 18-11 with its second straight loss.

Looking ahead

Sunday's headliner: the Fever visit the league-best Lynx on ABC at 1 p.m. ET, a meeting of the two hottest teams in the league. Indiana has won five straight, scoring 100-plus in every one of them. Minnesota has won nine in a row. Clark against Napheesa Collier and rookie Olivia Miles, in a possible Finals preview.