Storm vs Mercury WNBA Pick: Seattle Rising in Early Rankings (May 17)

• Seattle bounced back to a 25-15 record last season.
• Phoenix ended the year at a more mediocre 19-21.
• They last met on Sep. 19, in a game Seattle won 89-70.

The 2025 WNBA season kicks off this weekend with several key matchups. In our Storm vs Mercury WNBA pick we’ll break down a clash between a pair of playoff-hopefuls this season.

Storm Aiming to Build on Last Season

Seattle took a major step forward last year, improving from a 11-29 in 2023 to 25-15 in 2024. They will be aiming to continue their success after an early playoff exit halted their momentum. They will have to do so without former leading-scorer and 10-year veteran Jewell Lloyd, who departed for Vegas after bullying allegations among the coaching staff were left unaddressed.

Mercury Hopes to Avoid a Slow Start

Phoenix needs to find a way to fill in the gaps left by Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. They certainly softened the blow by bringing in Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally over the offseason, but are at risk of starting slow with their former chemistry gone. The Mercury improved on a league-worst 9-31 record in 2023, going 19-21 in 2024. They’ll seek to continue rising this season.

Seattle Storm vs Phoenix Mercury Pick

Seattle and Phoenix are following very similar trajectories. They were the worst teams in the WNBA in 2023, but improved by 10+ wins after major changes in 2024. However, both lost key veterans that have been leading their teams for a decade. This matchup should be very close, and while the Mercury are at home, the Storm are the more complete team and should win it.