WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 5/19

May 19th 2023John RaudebaughCooper Boni

Connecticut Sun at Indiana Fever, 7pm ET

Sun Injury Report: None reported

Sun Confirmed Lineup: Natisha Hiedeman, Tiffany Hayes, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones

Fever Injury Report: None reported

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Victoria Vivians, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

NaLyssa Smith and the Fever will play host to the Sun to kick off the 2023 campaign. No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston will start her WNBA journey by matching up against one of the league's best frontcourt players in Brionna Jones. Connecticut enters the season with a host of new faces, including Rebecca Allen and sharpshooter Tiffany Hayes. With both teams healthy, this matchup looks like it will be competitive.

New York Liberty at Washington Mystics, 7pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: Marine Johannès (overseas), Nyara Sabally (knee) are OUT.

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

Mystics Injury Report: Myisha Hines-Allen (knee) is OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Elena Delle Donne, Shakira Austin

Courtney Vandersloot returned to practice on Wednesday after missing most of training camp with a concussion, leaving the new-look Liberty without much time to mesh before their season opener. New York will be without a couple of key backups, leaving just nine available players on their roster. On the other side of the court, the Mystics bolstered their top-ranked defense from last season by adding Brittney Sykes. She will make her debut alongside a healthy former MVP Elena Delle Donne, who faces a difficult matchup inside against Jonquel Jones. Tianna Hawkins is likely to garner reserve minutes with Myisha Hines-Allen out, but this Washington team is relatively healthy.

Chicago Sky at Minnesota Lynx, 8pm ET

Sky Injury Report: Isabelle Harrison (knee), Ruthy Hebard (maternity return) are OUT.

Sky Confirmed Lineup: Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Kahleah Copper, Morgan Bertsch, Elizabeth Williams

Lynx Injury Report: Lindsay Allen (hamstring), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Rachel Banham, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard

After Minnesota fell just short of the playoffs last season, they’ll look to start this campaign off right when they play host to the Sky. Chicago will be without Isabelle Harrison, who is a big part of their current core. Alanna Smith and rookie standout Morgan Bertsch will have more minutes available to them with Harrison out tonight. Meanwhile, the Lynx will likely be without guard Lindsay Allen, meaning veteran Rachel Banham or rookie Diamond Miller could have a more opportunistic night ahead.

Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks, 11pm ET

Mercury Injury Report: Sophie Cunningham (knee), Shey Peddy (knee), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave), and Megan Gustafson (foot) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Moriah Jefferson, Michaela Onyenwere, Diana Taurasi, Brianna Turner, Brittney Griner

Sparks Injury Report: Jasmine Thomas (knee), Azurá Stevens (back), and Katie Lou Samuelson (pregnancy) are OUT.

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Lexie Brown, Layshia Clarendon, Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike

After a tumultuous offseason where much of the focus in Phoenix was on Brittney Griner’s return, the Mercury will get back on the court with B.G. on hand. The team is set to start the season short on available bodies, as Skylar Diggins-Smith, Sophie Cunningham, Shey Peddy, and Megan Gustafson are all out. Phoenix is expected to have just nine players dressed after signing Liz Dixon to a player replacement contract this afternoon. Meanwhile, Nneka Ogwumike will look to build off of her stellar 2022 campaign alongside new additions Dearica Hamby and Jasmine Thomas. With some injuries plaguing the Sparks to start the year, players like Layshia Clarendon and Joyner Holmes will have bigger roles than expected. Dearica Hamby (maternity return) isn't listed on the injury report, but her minutes are being monitored to start the season.