WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 7/2

Jul 2nd 2024Ryan Schwepfinger

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

  • Sabrina Ionescu (illness) — In

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

Minnesota Lynx News

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

New York Liberty News

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

  • Sabrina Ionescu (illness) — In

  • Nyara Sabally (back) — Out

The Liberty continue to solidify themselves as the league's team to beat. With a 81-75 victory over the Dream on Sunday, New York is now on a four-game winning streak and is 12-1 over their last 13 regular-season games. The Liberty lead the league in Offensive Rating (108.6), Net Rating (+12.3), and true shooting percentage (57.7%).

Chicago Sky News

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

  • Elizabeth Williams (knee) — Out for season

Atlanta Dream News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Haley Jones, Allisha Gray, Nia Coffey, Tina Charles

  • Aerial Powers (calf) — Out

  • Rhyne Howard (ankle) — Injured

Canada made her first start of the season on Sunday after an extended injury layoff to open the campaign, leading the Dream with 38 minutes played in a narrow loss to the Liberty. Her ramp-up has been accelerated, as she's gone from 14 minutes in her first appearance, to 29, to 38. Her place in coach Wright's first five feels secure moving forward.

Indiana Fever News

Confirmed Lineup: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Katie Lou Samuelson, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

Las Vegas Aces News

Confirmed Lineup: Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, A'ja Wilson, Kiah Stokes

  • Tiffany Hayes (personal) — Out

  • Kierstan Bell (leg) — Not on injury report

The Aces continue to look like the two-time defending champions they are with Gray back in the lineup. Las Vegas is 4-0 since Gray's first appearance of the season on June 19, winning all four games by a double-digit margin.

Gray has a +51 plus-minus since returning, which is tied for fourth in the league over that span despite playing at least 40 fewer minutes than the players ahead of her. All three are members of the Liberty: Jonquel Jones, Breanna Stewart, and Sabrina Ionescu.

Of note, with Hayes being away from the team due to personal reasons, Kate Martin is a logical candidate to see an increase in role off the bench in an intriguing matchup against her former college teammate Caitlin Clark.

Washington Mystics News

Confirmed Lineup: Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins, DiDi Richards, Myisha Hines-Allen, Stefanie Dolson

  • Myisha Hines-Allen — Not on injury report

  • Shakira Austin (hip) — Injured

  • Brittney Sykes (foot) — Injured

  • Karlie Samuelson (hand) — Injured

The Mystics have several starting lineup spots up in the air headed into this matchup with the Sparks. Edwards returned to action after missing three games but played 20 minutes off the bench on Saturday. She could go back into the first five after having additional time to heal her lower back ailment. When fully healthy, she's been a regular starter; the rookie has averaged 10.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per outing in nine starts.

The fifth spot is up for grabs between Hines-Allen, DiDi Richards, and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. Hines-Allen and Richards have both been starters without Edwards and the injured Karlie Samuelson of late, but Walker-Kimbrough far outpaced them both with 33 minutes off the bench against Las Vegas on Saturday. Hines-Allen also left that game early with an undisclosed injury and is not listed on the injury report for this outing.

Los Angeles Sparks News

Confirmed Lineup: Aari McDonald, Kia Nurse, Stephanie Talbot, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby

  • Layshia Clarendon (illness) — Not on injury report

  • Lexie Brown (illness) — Out

  • Azura Stevens (arm) — Injured

  • Cameron Brink (knee) — Out for season

Coach Miller has searched for the right combination in the wake of Brink's torn ACL, adjusting his lineup by starting Talbot over Li Yueru last game. Talbot didn't make much of a box score impression, recording just four points, three assists, and two rebounds, but she led the Sparks in minutes played with 34. Yueru only played 12 off of the bench after starting the previous two contests.