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
Gabby Williams (signed) — Available
Shakira Austin (hip) — In
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee) — Available
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Confirmed Lineup: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Katie Lou Samuelson, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston
Since the Olympic break, Clark (25.0) and Mitchell (25.3) are two of three players who have averaged at least 25.0 points per game. In those three games, Lexie Hull has ranked third with a +26.0 Net Rating. Despite two of the three games occurring against two of the four teams with a Defensive Rating below 100.0, the Fever have posted the second-highest Offensive Rating (111.6).
Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Tina Charles
Aerial Powers (calf) — Injured
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (ankle) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Courtney Vandersloot, Sabrina Ionescu, Leonie Fiebich, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (knee) — Available
Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Sophie Cunningham, Brittney Griner
Rebecca Allen (hamstring) — Injured
Charisma Osborne (leg) — Injured
The Mercury have gone 3-2 since the Olympic break, but they've posted the third-best Net Rating (+6.2) and second-highest true shooting mark (57.8%) in that span. From the time Griner made her season debut until the break, the Mercury almost broke even with a +0.3 Net Rating. The addition of Monique Billings, who was signed to a rest-of-season deal on Sunday, and the reacquisition of Celeste Taylor has buffered the second unit.
Confirmed Lineup: Brittney Sykes, Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins, Shakira Austin, Stefanie Dolson
Shakira Austin (hip) — In
Karlie Samuelson (knee) — Out
Confirmed Lineup: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor
Gabby Williams (signed) — Available
Nika Muhl (personal) — Out
Williams is set to make her Storm season debut after the prioritization rule obligated her to compete internationally through May 1, which was two weeks before the start of the season and two months before the Olympics. She was one of the best players in the Olympic format, averaging 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. She earned All-Star Five honors and Best Defensive Player.
Williams addressed the media after Friday's practice:
"[Coach Quinn] just said she's going to use me to plug holes that we have. If we need help at backup point guard one day, it's me playing at the 3 one day, she said just be that kind of Swiss Army knife -- she's calling it the French Army knife. Just kind of be that adaptable player for us. That's what I like to do and it's what I've always done here."