The Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury have been two of the proudest franchises in the WNBA for quite some time. But roster changes have seen them slide down the pecking order in the league, as both teams are 0-2 to start the year. On Thursday, they face off as one team has to get a win in this contest. In our WNBA predictions for Friday, we break down this Lynx vs Mercury matchup.

Lynx vs Mercury Betting Pick

This game will be played at Footprint Center at 10:00 PM ET on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

Why Bet the Mercury:

The Lynx being 0-2 is much more of a concern than the Mercury being 0-2, given that Minnesota played at home in each of their first two games.

Brittney Griner is averaging 22.5 points per game in two games, and the Lynx will have trouble defending her in the paint, propelling Phoenix to their first win of the season.

Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx had two home games in which they were favorites to start the 2023 WNBA season. But they dropped both of those games outright, getting blown out by the Chicago Sky before blowing a 17-point lead to the Atlanta Dream over the final 14 minutes of their second game of the season. Now, the Lynx hit the road for the first time this season, and will look to get into the win column for the first time.

The roster use on this team has been a little confusing to start the season, as Aerial Powers is getting just six minutes per game despite her ability to score the basketball. With the Lynx having just two players averaging double figures through two games, relying less on rookie Diamond Miller and more on Powers would be a welcome change, but that does not appear to be coming anytime soon.

Phoenix Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury dropped what was an emotional homecoming for Brittney Griner in their last outing on Sunday. But while the Chicago Sky got the better of the Mercury in that game, there was plenty to like from the Mercury on the court in that contest. Despite Diana Taurasi shooting a miserable 5/17 from the field, the Mercury lost by just six in that contest, and they will look to continue improving to get their first win on Thursday.

Of course, the play of Griner early this season was something of a question mark, given that she hadn’t played basketball in nearly two years coming into this campaign. But she has been incredibly efficient from the field, and will need to remain as much against the Lynx on Thursday night.

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