WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 5/25

May 25th 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

  • Diamond DeShields (foot) — In

  • Isabelle Harrison (knee) — Available

  • Kristy Wallace (knee) — Out

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

New York Liberty News

Confirmed Lineup: Courtney Vandersloot, Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones

Minnesota Lynx News

Confirmed Lineup: Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith

  • Dorka Juhasz (overseas commitment) — Available

  • Diamond Miller (knee) — Injured

Miller was forced to exit the previous game early and Minnesota wound up losing to Connecticut in overtime. Saturday's outing won't be any easier as the Lynx will be without Miller against the Liberty, who have started the season by winning four of their first five contests. Minnesota's +7.5 Net Rating is the WNBA's third-best, while New York's +13.5 Net Rating leads the league. Collier has placed herself in the Most Valuable Player discussion early, averaging 26.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.7 steals through three games.

Connecticut Sun News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones

Chicago Sky News

Confirmed Lineup: Dana Evans, Marina Mabrey, Diamond DeShields, Angel Reese, Elizabeth Williams

  • Diamond DeShields (foot) — In

  • Isabelle Harrison (knee) — Available

  • Kamilla Cardoso (shoulder) — Injured

Chicago defeated New York in the previous game, even with DeShields and Harrison sidelined. Michaela Onyenwere started in DeShields' place and posted 13 points in 28 minutes. Mabrey added 21 points and figures to garner heavy usage until the team gets healthier. The Sky have exceeded expectations to start the season and will be tested again versus the Sun, who are coming off an overtime win that saw Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner combine for 38 points on 46.2% from the field.

Indiana Fever News

Confirmed Lineup: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Katie Lou Samuelson, Temi Fagbenle, Aliyah Boston

  • Kristy Wallace (knee) — Out

  • Damiris Dantas (knee) — 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

Washington Mystics News

Confirmed Lineup: Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins, Karlie Samuelson, Aaliyah Edwards, Stefanie Dolson

  • Shakira Austin (personal) — Out

  • Brittney Sykes (ankle) — Out

The Mystics will be without arguably their two top players versus the Storm, so the ball should find Atkins and Dolson early and often. Atkins has had a good start to the season, highlighted by her career-high 3.8 assists per game. While typically a shooting guard, Atkins should continue to have plenty of playmaking opportunities with the departure of Natasha Cloud. Those opportunities may be even more frequent without Sykes, who will miss her fourth consecutive contest.

Seattle Storm News

Confirmed Lineup: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Victoria Vivians, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor

Dallas Wings News

Confirmed Lineup: Sevgi Uzun, Arike Ogunbowale, Maddy Siegrist, Monique Billings, Teaira McCowan

  • Jaelyn Brown (nose, illness) — Out

  • Satou Sabally (shoulder) — Injured

  • Natasha Howard (foot) — Injured

Phoenix Mercury News

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

  • Sug Sutton (elbow) — Available

  • Brittney Griner (toe) — Injured

The Mercury are on a three-game winning streak and will look to add to it when they face the injury-riddled Wings. Phoenix has gotten some huge performances from Copper thus far, while Cloud has averaged 8.0 assists per game. The offseason addition of Copper was critical, but the acquisition of Cloud was just as important, as she's provided the team with a true point guard. "Natasha is a winner," Taurasi said after the previous outing. "She's given me life. She's giving this team life."