WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 6/11

Jun 11th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Dallas Wings at New York Liberty, 1pm ET

Wings Injury Report: TBD

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Veronica Burton, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Kalani Brown

Liberty Injury Report: None reported

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

In Crystal Dangerfield's absence, veteran Odyssey Sims has taken off with the Wings' backup point guard role. Arike Ogunbowale continues to play huge minutes at a league-high 37.2 per game. Coming off a career-high 37-point game on Friday night, Sabrina Ionescu leads the league with 24 made three-pointers, with Ogunbowale right behind her at 21.

Chicago Sky at Las Vegas Aces, 3pm ET

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

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

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

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

The Sky will continue their road trip out west after a bad loss in Los Angeles on Friday. Alanna Smith led the team with a career-high 19 points. Over the last four games, Smith has averaged 15.5 points per game on 62.5% shooting, and playing 35.4 minutes per game, which is 7th most in the league in that span.

After their first loss of the year, expect the Aces to bounce back at home. Despite the loss, they still have an absurd +14.6 Net Rating. Only the Liberty are close with an 8.7 net rating.

Washington Mystics at Seattle Storm, 3pm ET

Mystics Injury Report: Elena Delle Donne (neck) is OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Tiana Hawkins, Shakira Austin

Storm Injury Report: Jewell Loyd (foot) will play.

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Yvonne Turner, Jewell Loyd, Kia Nurse, Jordan Horston, Ezi Magbegor

Washington has struggled offensively over their first seven games. They have the second-worst field goal percentage in the league and the worst three-point percentage. They pulled out a win last game against the Storm and will face them again today.

Seattle is allowing 40.3 points in the paint per game, which doesn't bode well for them in this matchup. Ezi Magbegor and Mercedes Russell will have their hands full with the Mystics' frontcourt. Elena Delle Donne and Shakira Austin have combined to score 32.5 points per game this season.

Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream, 4pm ET

Sun Injury Report: TBD

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

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

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Haley Jones, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Nia Coffey, Cheyenne Parker

DeWanna Bonner will look to build off of her career night Thursday when she and the Sun face Atlanta today. Bonner recorded 41 points in that game, setting the Sun franchise record for points in a game. While she played great, Alyssa Thomas has been the driving force behind the Sun's hot start. Thomas is averaging 13.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game.

Atlanta has dealt with some injuries at the guard position, but their offense hasn't suffered. They are scoring 83.5 points per game, the fourth-most of all teams. The Dream's problem has been their defense. They're allowing 85.8 points per game, more than every team other than Phoenix.

Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever, 5pm ET

Mercury Injury Report: Moriah Jefferson (ankle), Shey Peddy (Achilles), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Diana Taurasi, Sug Sutton, Sophie Cunningham, Michaela Onyenwere, Brittney Griner

Fever Injury Report: None reported

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

The Mercury have underperformed thus far, and because of that, head coach Vanessa Nygaard is said to be on the hot seat. Phoenix is among the league's worst defensive teams. They have the worst rebound percentage (46.5%), and a bottom-three net rating. The Mercury also have a league-worst 22.8% turnover percentage.

Indiana seems to get better each game. They rank second in the WNBA when it comes to rebounding, as NaLyssa Smith and Aliyah Boston look like one of the best frontcourts in the league. However, a lot of the Fever's more obvious issues stem from their youth. For example, they're shooting the fewest amount of free throws per game to start the season.

Los Angeles Sparks at Minnesota Lynx, 7pm ET

Sparks Injury Report: Chiney Ogwumike (foot), Layshia Clarendon (foot), Katie Lou Samuelson (pregnancy) are OUT.

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Lexie Brown, Karlie Samuelson, Dearica Hamby, Nneka Ogwumike

Lynx Injury Report: Aerial Powers (ankle), Diamond Miller (ankle), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Tiffany Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard, Dorka Juhász

After a solid win against the Sky in their last game, the Sparks are set to face one of the league's worst teams. Los Angeles has managed to play well through injury struggles and they have a true next-man-up mentality. Nneka Ogwumike has led the way as she's averaging 20.3 points per game.

Minnesota has struggled in most areas to start the 2023 campaign. They're giving up a league-leading 9.1 three-pointers per game, while also struggling to defend in the paint. Offensively, the Lynx haven't been able to keep up with their opponents. They're scoring just 77.4 points per game, which ranks third-worst among all teams.