The Washington Mystics are aiming to make it seven wins in a row when they host Kelsey Plum and the Phoenix Mercury.
Phoenix hasn't clicked yet with Plum in the lineup, and I'm taking Washington to cover in my Mercury vs. Mystics predictions.
Keep reading to get my free WNBA picks for Sunday, Aug. 9.
Mercury vs Mystics prediction
Mercury vs Mystics best bet: Mystics -1.5 (-115)
The Phoenix Mercury are 0-2 since trading for Kelsey Plum, and things aren't going to get easier today. The Washington Mystics have won six straight, covering in each of those games.
Washington has been incredible on defense, holding opponents to league lows in effective field goal percentage (48.5%) and points per scoring attempt (1.06).
Phoenix is 12th in offensive rating (104.8) on the year and hasn’t looked better with Plum in the lineup, averaging 77.0 points over her first two games.
I’m taking Washington to cover and would play this to -3.5.
COVERS INTEL: The Mystics boast the league's highest rebounding rate (54.9%), which will further limit a Mercury offense that already averages a WNBA-low 6.9 offensive rebounds per game.
Mercury vs Mystics same-game parlay
These are two of the least effective offenses in the WNBA, with both the Mercury and the Mystics ranking in the bottom five in scoring and offensive rating.
To round out our parlay, I'm backing Lauren Betts to eclipse 4.5 rebounds. The Mystics center has been dominating on the glass lately, pulling in at least seven boards in each of her last four games.
Phoenix is a bottom-five team in rebounding rate, making this a great opportunity for Betts to continue her recent success.
Mercury vs Mystics SGP
- Mystics -1.5
- Under 167.5
- Lauren Betts Over 4.5 rebounds
Want more basketball parlays? Check out our WNBA parlay picks page!
Mercury vs Mystics player prop pick
Shakira Austin Over 17.5 points (-105)
Washington’s centers have a clear size edge in this game, and while I’ve focused on how that should help the Mystics on the boards, it’ll also aid their interior scorers. That means big things for Shakira Austin (16.1 ppg), who has been on a scoring tear.
Austin has scored at least 21 points in four of her last five games. She's shooting 55.1% from the floor in that span and can also extend the defense, hitting a three in each of her last three games. I love Austin to hit the Over on her scoring prop.
- Best bet: 17-24, -8.21 units
- SGP: 6-35, -0.97 units
- Player prop: 15-6, +8.03 units
Mercury vs Mystics odds
- Spread: Phoenix +1.5 (-105) | Washington -1.5 (-115)
- Moneyline: Phoenix +100 | Washington -120
- Over/Under: Over 167.5 (-110) | Under 167.5 (-110)
Mercury vs Mystics trend
Washington is 7-0 ATS in its last seven games. Find more WNBA betting trends.
How to watch Mercury vs Mystics
| Location | CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C. |
| Date | Sunday, August 9, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | KTVK, MNMT |
Mercury vs Mystics latest injuries
Mercury: None.
Mystics: None.
Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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