Phoenix hosts Las Vegas following Copper's 31-point game

Las Vegas Aces (30-13, 16-6 Western Conference) at Phoenix Mercury (16-27, 10-12 Western Conference) Phoenix; Thursday, 10 p.m. EDT BOTTOM LINE: Phoenix Mercury hosts the Las Vegas Aces after Kahleah Copper scored 31 points in the Phoenix Mercury's 87-86 victory over the Dallas Wings. The Mercury have gone 10-12 against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix ranks sixth in the Western Conference with 20.3 assists per game led by Alyssa Thomas averaging 8.5. The Aces are 16-6 in Western Conference play. Las Vegas has a 3-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points. Phoenix scores 84.4 points per game, 1.5 fewer points than the 85.9 Las Vegas allows. Las Vegas has shot at a 48.4% rate from the field this season, 2.3 percentage points higher than the 46.1% shooting opponents of Phoenix have averaged. The two teams match up for the fourth time this season. The Aces defeated the Mercury 106-58 in their last matchup on July 11. A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 21 points, and Lexi Held led the Mercury with 11 points. TOP PERFORMERS: Thomas is scoring 14.5 points per game with 7.8 rebounds and 8.5 assists for the Mercury. Copper is averaging 17.5 points over the past 10 games. Wilson is averaging 26 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and two blocks for the Aces. Jackie Young is averaging 22.9 points over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Mercury: 4-6, averaging 86.4 points, 32.6 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 7.7 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 87.6 points per game. Aces: 8-2, averaging 92.1 points, 32.1 rebounds, 20.9 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.3 points. INJURIES: Mercury: Kelsey Plum: out for season (leg). Aces: Janiah Barker: out for season (leg), NaLyssa Smith: out for season (leg). ------ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.