WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 8/18

Aug 18th 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

  • Layshia Clarendon — TBD

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

Connecticut Sun News

Confirmed Lineup: Marina Mabrey, DiJonai Carrington, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones

  • DiJonai Carrington (personal) — Not on injury report

  • Tiffany Mitchell (illness) — Out

Mabrey played well last game in her Sun debut, recording 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists versus the Wings. She drew the start at shooting guard in that outing, but with Carrington slated to be available, it's unclear how coach White will construct the first unit. Regardless, it's a good matchup for the defensive-minded Sun, as the Dream's 94.4 Offensive Rating ranks as the league's worst.

Atlanta Dream News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Tina Charles

  • Aerial Powers (calf) — Injured

Canada was available last game for the first time since July 2. After the Dream's victory against the Storm, coach Wright spoke about how the team benefits by having Canada back in the lineup.

"She's somebody who has experience in this league, who’s won championships in this league,” Wright said. “And so, to have somebody out there, just a floor general that can create and find the right people at the right time, and different things like that, and having experience, being able to go to her for the last shot.”

Canada started and received 29 minutes versus Seattle, and it's fair to expect a similar workload against the Sun, barring any pregame specifications from coach Wright.

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, Katie Lou Samuelson, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

  • Temi Fagbenle (thumb) — Out

Los Angeles Sparks News

Confirmed Lineup: Crystal Dangerfield, Kia Nurse, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens

  • Layshia Clarendon — TBD

  • Lexie Brown (illness) — Out

  • Aari McDonald (foot) — Injured

  • Cameron Brink (knee) — Out for season

Las Vegas Aces News

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

The Aces lost to the Liberty on Saturday and will now host the Sparks in the second leg of a back-to-back set. While Las Vegas remains a threat, they have yet to play their best basketball consistently this season and haven't performed as well as other teams. Their +5.9 Net Rating ranks fifth league-wide and they're allowing 82.9 points per game, the sixth-most of any team. The Aces will have a good opportunity to bounce back against the Sparks, who have lost both of their games since the Olympic break concluded.

Chicago Sky News

Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Chennedy Carter, Michaela Onyenwere, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso

  • Elizabeth Williams (knee) — Out for season

Phoenix Mercury News

Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Sophie Cunningham, Brittney Griner

  • Monique Billings (signed) — Available to play

  • Charisma Osborne (leg) — Out

  • Rebecca Allen (hamstring) — Injured