WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 6/8

Jun 8th 2024

J.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.

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

The Liberty will face the undefeated Sun, who are ahead of them in the season-long standings and 0.5 games behind them in the Commissioner's Cup standings. Vandersloot has missed two of the past four games, and the Liberty are riding a five-game winning streak.

They are one of six teams with a positive net differential, and both of their losses have come against teams in that cohort. Five of their nine wins have come against the Fever and Mystics -- the two teams with the worst point differential.

Connecticut Sun News

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

  • Moriah Jefferson (ankle) — Out

  • Veronica Burton (signed) — TBD

Atlanta Dream News

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

  • Jordin Canada (hand) — Injured

Chicago Sky News

Confirmed Lineup: Dana Evans, Marina Mabrey, Diamond DeShields, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso

  • Elizabeth Williams (knee) — Injured

Cardoso started the second half of the previous game after Williams was unable to return. She has been on a minute restriction since making her season debut last Saturday. Despite her limited action, she ranks sixth in the league with a 22.4% defensive rebound rate. The Dream have allowed a league-high 36.0 defensive rebounds per 100 possessions.

Williams’ absence has been detrimental to the Sky’s interior defense. Teams have recorded 54.8 points per 100 possessions in the paint when she has been off the court. Despite Cardoso’s size, she has yet to duplicate the effectiveness she provided as a rim deterrent during her collegiate career. When Cardoso is on the bench, Reese and Isabelle Harrison should handle the bulk of the center minutes.