It’s the Portland Fire versus the Phoenix Mercury at Mortgage Matchup Center on August 16, 2026. Here’s how to watch live on TV.
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Location: Mortgage Matchup Center
- TV Channels: ESPN
- League Package: WNBA League Pass
How to Watch Portland Fire vs. Phoenix Mercury on August 16, 2026
You can watch the Phoenix Mercury take on the Portland Fire live on DIRECTV on ESPN on August 16, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET.
Portland Fire (13-20) at Phoenix Mercury (13-22) — Game Preview
Portland Fire and Phoenix Mercury meet at Mortgage Matchup Center with the Fire sitting at 13-20 and the Mercury at 13-22. Portland puts up 86.8 points per game as a team, just ahead of Phoenix’s 83.9 mark, while the Mercury hold the rebounding edge at 31.5 boards a night to the Fire’s 29.9. Kahleah Copper anchors the Phoenix backcourt averaging 20.6 points per game on 43.3% shooting from the floor and 78.8% at the free throw line, giving the Mercury a scoring threat who can take over stretches of a game.
Bridget Carleton counters for Portland with 14.7 points per game on 88.0% free throw shooting, a steady scoring complement on a Fire roster still hunting consistency. Alyssa Thomas ties Phoenix together at both ends, leading the team with 8.2 assists per game to go with 7.4 rebounds, while Emily Engstler paces Portland’s glass work at 5.3 rebounds a night. The Fire will be without Sarah Ashlee Barker and Sania Feagin, both out, though point guard Carla Leite remains available on a day-to-day basis after averaging 6.2 assists per game this season.
National TV
ESPN
League Packages
WNBA League Pass
What Time is the Portland Fire vs. Phoenix Mercury Game Today?
The Portland Fire vs. Phoenix Mercury game starts at 7:00 PM ET.
Where Can I Watch Portland Fire vs. Phoenix Mercury?
You can watch Portland Fire vs. Phoenix Mercury on ESPN and WNBA League Pass (blackout restrictions and other exclusions may apply).
How to Connect WNBA League Pass to DIRECTV
You can access the WNBA app on DIRECTV and connect your WNBA League Pass subscription to stream WNBA games live, all season long.
Players to Watch: Portland Fire vs. Phoenix Mercury
Portland Fire
Bridget Carleton — F. The Portland forward puts up 14.7 points per game on 41.6% shooting from the floor, giving the Fire a frontcourt scorer who can operate from distance as well as inside. She backs that volume with an 88.0% clip at the free throw line, one of the more reliable marks on either roster.
Carla Leite — G. Running Portland’s offense at 25.3 minutes a night, Leite leads the Fire with 6.2 assists per game. Her 3.4 turnovers per game show the trade-off that comes with that usage, and she remains available on a day-to-day basis after dealing with left knee soreness.
Emily Engstler — F. On the glass, Engstler paces the Fire with 5.3 rebounds per game, split between 4.1 defensive boards and 1.2 offensive putback chances. Her frontcourt pairing with Carleton gives Portland two forwards who can control possession on both ends.
Phoenix Mercury
Kahleah Copper — G. Phoenix’s leading scorer, Copper averages 20.6 points per game while connecting on 43.3% of her field goal attempts. She also converts 78.8% of her free throw tries, a number that keeps her efficient even on nights her jumper isn’t falling.
Alyssa Thomas — F. Thomas fills the stat sheet for Phoenix, logging 34.0 minutes a night while producing 8.2 assists and 7.4 rebounds per game, the two-way workload that makes her the offense’s primary engine. Her 3.6 turnovers per game reflect the ball-handling burden that comes with running point from the forward spot.
Natasha Mack — F. Averaging 6.8 rebounds per game with 4.4 of those coming on the defensive glass, Mack gives Phoenix a low-usage, high-efficiency presence shooting 61.7% from the floor. That combination makes her a difference-maker in the post whenever she checks in.
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