Caitlin Clark Battles Diana Taurasi Tonight: Fever vs Mercury Live Stream, Start Time & Betting Odds

The Indiana Fever visit the Phoenix Mercury tonight, July 9, 2026, in a nationally streamed WNBA showdown that has fans and bettors racing to search “Fever vs Mercury.” Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Footprint Center. GAME AT A GLANCE • Matchup: Indiana Fever (8-12) vs Phoenix Mercury (11-9) • Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ • Start time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local) • How to watch: WNBA League Pass; locally on Bally Sports Arizona; Fever Radio Network WHY THE MATCHUP IS TRENDING 1. Caitlin Clark is out with an ankle sprain, removing the league’s biggest draw from the Fever backcourt. 2. Phoenix has won four of its last five home games and is suddenly a dark-horse title pick behind All-Star guard Kahleah Copper. 3. With Aliyah Boston listed day-to-day (knee), Indiana’s front-court depth faces a stern test against Alyssa Thomas and Brittney Griner. KEY STORYLINES • Copper Catching Fire: The Mercury scorer is averaging 26.8 points over her last eight contests and has topped 20 in four of five outings. • Mitchell’s Moment: Kelsey Mitchell has poured in 26.8 points per game during Indiana’s recent West Coast swing, but she’ll now draw double-teams with Clark sidelined. • Pace vs Paint: Indiana ranks third in fast-break points, while Phoenix leads the league in assists thanks to Thomas’ 8.3 dimes per night. INJURY REPORT • Fever: Caitlin Clark (ankle) OUT; Aliyah Boston (knee) game-time decision. • Mercury: Diana Taurasi (rest) PROBABLE; Megan Gustafson (shoulder) QUESTIONABLE. RECENT FORM & HEAD-TO-HEAD • Season series tied 1-1; each team won on the road in June. • Fever are 4-5-1 ATS as road underdogs; Mercury are 4-1 ATS as home favorites of 1.5 points. ODDS SNAPSHOT (FanDuel, 1 p.m. ET) • Spread: Mercury –1.5 • Total: 171.5 • Moneyline: Fever –106 / Mercury –114 BETTING ANGLE Copper to score 20+ points is priced at –144 and has hit in six of her last seven outings, including both games against Indiana this season. PREDICTION With Clark unavailable and Boston less than 100 percent, Phoenix’s balanced trio of Copper, Thomas and Griner should control the tempo and the glass. Lay the short number: Mercury –1.5 and Copper 20+ points SGP. Projected score: Mercury 89, Fever 83. SEARCH-FRIENDLY TAKEAWAYS • “Fever vs Mercury live stream” available on League Pass at 10 p.m. ET. • Latest “Fever vs Mercury odds” favor Phoenix –1.5 after opening Indiana –5.5. • “Caitlin Clark injury update” confirms she will miss tonight’s game.