WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 6/23

Jun 23rd 2024Cooper 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

  • Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee) — Out

  • Courtney Vandersloot (conditioning) — Out

  • Aaliyah Edwards (back) — Out

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

New York Liberty News

Confirmed Lineup: Sabrina Ionescu, Kayla Thornton, Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones

  • Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee) — Out

  • Courtney Vandersloot (conditioning) — Out

  • Nyara Sabally (back) — Out

The Liberty have won 10 of their previous 11 games and sit at 14-3, the best record after 17 games in franchise history. Breanna Stewart led the way in the most recent outing, posting 33 points, seven assists, six blocks, and three steals en route to a 10-point victory versus the Sparks.

New York is set to face the Dream, who are struggling, but expect to have Jordin Canada (hand) available. The Liberty's 47.9% field goal percentage in June leads the league. Meanwhile, the Dream are converting just 36.7% of their field goal attempts this month, the lowest mark of any team.

Atlanta Dream News

Confirmed Lineup: Haley Jones, Allisha Gray, Aerial Powers, Nia Coffey, Tina Charles

  • Jordin Canada (hand) — Not on injury report

  • Rhyne Howard (ankle) — Injured

Canada did not appear on Atlanta's official injury report for the first time this year and is primed to make her season debut. While it's unclear what limitations she may face, her presence should immediately help the Dream on both ends of the floor. Canada was selected to the All-Defensive First Team for the second time in her career last season after leading the league with 2.3 steals per contest.

Dallas Wings News

Confirmed Lineup: Sevgi Uzun, Jacy Sheldon, Arike Ogunbowale, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan

  • Satou Sabally (shoulder) — Injured

  • Maddy Siegrist (finger) — Injured

  • Jaelyn Brown (illness) — Injured

Washington Mystics News

Confirmed Lineup: Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins, Karlie Samuelson, Myisha Hines-Allen, Stefanie Dolson

  • Aaliyah Edwards (back) — Out

  • Myisha Hines-Allen (groin) — Available

  • Shakira Austin (hip) — Injured

  • Brittney Sykes (foot) — Injured

Despite being without Sykes and Edwards, the Mystics beat the Wings handily in Saturday's contest. They'll now face Dallas again in the second leg of a back-to-back set. While the previous win was encouraging, it will take sustained success before Washington is considered a competitive team.

The Mystics rank bottom-three league-wide in points (77.6), rebounds (32.5), and turnovers (16.3) per game and have won just three of their 16 outings this season. However, they'll have a real chance to secure another win as the Wings are riding a 10-game losing streak and have the league's worst Net Rating (-8.5).

Connecticut Sun News

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

  • Moriah Jefferson (ankle) — TBD

Seattle Storm News

Confirmed Lineup: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor

Indiana Fever News

Confirmed Lineup: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Kristy Wallace, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

  • Temi Fagbenle (foot) — Injured

  • Damiris Dantas (knee) — Injured

After starting the season slow, the Fever have won four consecutive games for the first time since 2015. In the last contest, Clark became the third-fastest player in league history to record 100 assists. While Clark has been impressive, Boston has been the real spark during the win streak, averaging 19.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

When speaking to the media about the matchup with the Sky, Clark downplayed the idea that the two teams have a rivalry. "I’m pretty sure that the only people who view this as a rivalry are all of you," Clark said. "For us, it's just a game of basketball. That's what it is."

Chicago Sky News

Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Marina Mabrey, Chennedy Carter, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso

  • Diamond DeShields (ankle) — Probable

  • Elizabeth Williams (knee) — Injured