WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 6/18

Jun 18th 2024J.J. Calle

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

  • Courtney Vandersloot (personal) — Out

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

Los Angeles Sparks News

Confirmed Lineup: Aari McDonald, Kia Nurse, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Cameron Brink

  • Azurá Stevens (arm) — Injured

Clarendon was benched for the second half of Sunday’s loss, and they have played the second-fewest fourth-quarter minutes among Sparks players. They have been losing minutes to Aari McDonald, who started the second half in Claredon’s place.

Kia Nurse has also suffered a reduced role with the ascension of Rickea Jackson into the starting lineup, which first occurred when Clarendon was sidelined with a concussion. Clarendon (-15.3) and Nurse (-11.3) have the worst Net Ratings on the team among rotation players.

Connecticut Sun News

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

  • Moriah Jefferson (ankle) — Out

New York Liberty News

Confirmed Lineup: Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Kayla Thornton, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones

  • Courtney Vandersloot (personal) — Out

  • Nyara Sabally (back) — Out

Phoenix Mercury News

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

The Mercury have gone 3-1 since Griner’s season debut and recorded an amazing 110.6 Offensive Rating with her on the court -- the second-highest among all rotation players in the league. It’s fitting that the player whose team has the highest Offensive Rating when they are on the court is Betnijah Laney-Hamilton of the Liberty -- Tuesday’s opponent.