PREVIEW: The Phoenix Mercury arrive at the Michelob ULTRA Arena riding a wave of momentum, boasting a solid 7-4 record and ranking fourth in the Western Conference. The Mercury have been impressive from beyond the arc, ranking second in the league with 9.8 three-pointers per game. Satou Sabally leads the team's scoring with 20.5 points per game, while Alyssa Thomas contributes 14.5 points and leads the team with 8.3 assists per game - the second-highest assist rate in the league. Their recent performance against the Dallas Wings showcased their offensive prowess, shooting 15-35 from three-point range and benefiting from Thomas's return with her 10 assists. The Las Vegas Aces enter the matchup with a subpar 5-4 record, sitting just half a game ahead of the fifth-seeded Golden State Valkyries, and coming off a narrow 88-84 victory against the winless Dallas Wings. The team faces a significant challenge without their three-time MVP A'ja Wilson, who is in concussion protocol and is the only player in league history to average over 20 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks per game. Jackie Young continues to pace the Aces, shooting a team-high 44.4% from the floor and recently setting a career record by going 11 of 11 from the free-throw line. The Aces are averaging 82 points and 32.8 rebounds per game, though they currently rank last in the league in assists compared to their previous season.