WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 5/25

May 25th 2023

John RaudebaughCooper Boni

Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks, 10pm ET

Aces Injury Report: Riquna Williams (back) is OUT.

Aces Confirmed Lineup: Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Candace Parker, A'ja Wilson

Sparks Injury Report: Jasmine Thomas (knee), Azurá Stevens (back), Nneka Ogwumike (illness) are OUT.

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

Coming off a double-double in the opener, A'ja Wilson gets another juicy matchup in Los Angeles. Last in rebounding in 2022, the Sparks recorded just 32 boards in their first game compared to 50 for the Aces in theirs. With Azurá Stevens still sidelined, the Sparks will once again roll out a three-guard lineup and are generally undersized against a Las Vegas team that are big road favorites. Jackie Young scored 23 points with a team-leading 30.9% usage rate and finds herself in another good spot as well. We'll see if Dearica Hamby can play more against her former team after being limited in the opener, as she is starting tonight.

Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave), Kayla McBride (personal) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Tiffany Mitchell, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard

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

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Moriah Jefferson, Diana Taurasi, Sophie Cunningham, Michaela Onyenwere, Brittney Griner

Lindsay Allen, who missed the opener due to a hamstring injury, started and played 30 minutes Tuesday. She and Kayla McBride will handle most of the backcourt scoring, with Tiffany Mitchell set to contribute off of the bench. Averaging 9.0 rebounds per game, Jessica Shepard is off to a nice start this season, but could struggle in this matchup against Brittney Griner. The Lynx offense will continue to flow through Napheesa Collier, who has led the team in points and usage in both games thus far.

The Lynx have struggled against ball-dominant wings in two matchups, but do the Mercury have that type of weapon at their disposal? Sophie Cunningham is off the injury report for the first time this season, and she's off of her minutes restriction. Brittney Griner leads the team in points through two games and that likely continues against Minnesota.