WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 5/30

May 30th 2023

John RaudebaughCooper Boni

Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream, 7pm ET

Sky Injury Report: Morgan Bertsch (ankle), Rebekah Gardner (foot), Isabelle Harrison (knee), Ruthy Hebard (maternity) are OUT.

Sky Confirmed Lineup: Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Kahleah Copper, Alanna Smith, Elizabeth Williams

Dream Injury Report: Danielle Robinson (knee, illness), Iliana Rupert (overseas) are OUT.

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Aari McDonald, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Nia Coffey, Cheyenne Parker

Chicago has been one of the biggest surprises early on this season after starting 3-1. The backcourt has been the story so far with Courtney Williams filling the stat sheet each game. Williams recently recorded a double-double against Dallas, while Marina Mabrey had a team-high 23 points on 17 attempts. Alanna Smith played 27 minutes and also recorded a double-double. She's expected to start again for injured Morgan Bertsch. Sika Koné made an impressive team debut scoring 10 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 23 minutes. Koné will have an opportunity to carve out a bigger role moving forward.

Atlanta will look to bounce back after a bad loss in their home opener against the Fever two days ago. Rhyne Howard has led the team in points in two out of three games so far and should keep it going in this matchup. Allisha Gray is also in a favorable spot.

Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

Fever Injury Report: None reported

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

Sun Injury Report: None reported

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

The Fever arrive in Connecticut with confidence tonight, after pulling off a big road upset against the Dream on Sunday. NaLyssa Smith led the way in that game as she scored 23 points and snagged 12 rebounds, good for her second-straight double-double. However, she'll have a tougher matchup this time out against a very physical Sun team. Look for Kelsey Mitchell to be leaned on heavily to generate scoring, as she did in the first matchup against Connecticut on opening night.

After a blowout loss to the Liberty, the Sun are in a potential bounce-back spot. Alyssa Thomas has garnered most of the attention this season, but Connecticut have also had solid starts from both DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones. Based on how they've looked to begin the year, it's safe to expect another nice outing from this team's big three.

Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings, 8pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) is OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Tiffany Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard

Wings Injury Report: Teaira McCowan (knee, ankle), Diamond DeShields (knee), Lou Lopez Sénéchal (knee) are OUT.

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Veronica Burton, Crystal Dangerfield, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard

Winless through four games, the Lynx head to Dallas looking for an important victory. Kayla McBride is available for this one after missing the last two outings. Napheesa Collier is coming off a double-double and should continue her strong start as the focal point of the Minnesota offense.

Teaira McCowan is set to miss her third straight game, so Crystal Dangerfield will be starting once again. Satou Sabally has been impressive on both ends in the frontcourt without McCowan. Look for Arike Ogunbowale to continue having a huge role in the offense. She has at least 26 points in all three games this year. The Wings just signed Kalani Brown to an emergency hardship contract. Brown is available to play tonight and will likely see a few minutes off the bench.

New York Liberty at Seattle Storm, 9pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: Marine Johannès is ACTIVE.

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

Storm Injury Report: None reported

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Yvonne Turner, Jewell Loyd, Kia Nurse, Ezi Magbegor, Mercedes Russell

Marine Johannès has joined the team in Seattle, but according to coach Sandy Brondello yesterday, she is unlikely to play. The headline for tonight, however, is Breanna Stewart's return to Seattle. On paper, it is a lopsided matchup. Outside of Jewell Loyd, the Storm's biggest strength is down low in the paint. Meanwhile, Stewart and the Liberty can be dominant both inside and out.

For Seattle, Loyd has a monstrous 38.4% usage rate and is shooting a high volume. She'll likely get Betnijah Laney as her primary defender, so the Storm will need Kia Nurse to contribute in a big way if they want to hang around for all four quarters.