WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 5/21

May 21st 2024

Cooper Boni

Each day, this column will provide live updates for all WNBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current WNBA slate.

Key WNBA News to Watch

  • Shakira Austin (hip) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

Dallas Wings News

Confirmed Lineup: Sevgi Uzun, Arike Ogunbowale, Monique Billings, Stephanie Soares, Kalani Brown

  • Satou Sabally (shoulder) — Injured

  • Natasha Howard (foot) — Injured

  • Jaelyn Brown (nose) — Injured

Atlanta Dream News

Confirmed Lineup: Haley Jones, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Tina Charles

  • Lorela Cubaj (temporary contract suspension) — Out

  • Jordin Canada (hand) — Injured

Charles has started the 2024 campaign well, averaging 13.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest. Atlanta is 1-1 and will now face Dallas, who is also 1-1 despite having numerous injured players, including two full-time starters in Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard. Even with those frontcourt pieces sidelined, the Wings' 41.0 rebounds per game are the most league-wide. Charles and Parker-Tyus must consistently crash the glass in this contest as the Dream are averaging 33.5 rebounds per contest, the fifth-fewest of any team.

Phoenix Mercury News

Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Rebecca Allen, Natasha Mack

  • Brittney Griner (toe) — Injured

Las Vegas Aces News

Confirmed Lineup: Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Alysha Clark, A'ja Wilson, Kiah Stokes

  • Kierstan Bell (leg) — Out

  • Chelsea Gray (leg) — Injured

Gray has missed the season's two first games and recently mentioned that she doesn't have a timetable for her return. Despite her absence, the Aces have won both contests while posting the league's fourth-best Offensive Rating (107.2). Las Vegas will face Phoenix, led by Kahleah Copper, whose 28.5 points per game are the second-most of any player league-wide.

Washington Mystics News

Confirmed Lineup: Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins, Karlie Samuelson, Shakira Austin, Stefanie Dolson

  • Shakira Austin (hip) — Available

  • Brittney Sykes (ankle) — Out

Los Angeles Sparks News

Confirmed Lineup: Lexie Brown, Layshia Clarendon, Kia Nurse, Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink

  • Rae Burrell (illness) — Not on injury report

  • Azurá Stevens (arm) — Injured

While Brink must continue to improve her offensive game, she's been impressive as a shot-blocker to begin her professional career, posting 3.5 blocks per contest through the Sparks' first two outings. Hamby has handled much of the scoring responsibilities for Los Angeles, averaging a team-high 24.5 points per game on 61.3% shooting and converting 50.0% of her three-point attempts. Hamby will face a formidable frontcourt that includes Shakira Austin and Stefanie Dolson when the Sparks host the Mystics.