WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 6/29

Jun 29th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces, 10pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: Stefanie Dolson (ankle), Han Xu (overseas) are OUT.

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

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

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

The league's two most talented teams will finally meet for the first time this season. The Liberty have won six of their last seven games, while the Aces have just one loss on the year. Both teams have top-five offensive ratings, defensive ratings, and rebound percentages. The Liberty will try to use their outside shooting to gain an edge, considering they're scoring a league-high 35.7% of their points from three-point range.

Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

Fever Injury Report: None reported

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

Mercury Injury Report: Sophie Cunningham (back) is IN. Shey Peddy (Achilles), Megan Gustafson (concussion), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Diana Taurasi, Moriah Jefferson, Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner, Brittney Griner

These teams' seasons are heading in opposite directions. While the Fever seem to get better every game, the Mercury can't find any sort of success. Although Indiana is coming off two straight losses against the Aces, their consistent improvement has been obvious. They rank top-three in both field goal percentage (44.1%) and rebounds per game (36.6). Meanwhile, Phoenix has lost six straight games, and their 46.0% rebound percentage is the worst in the league.

Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm, 10pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Tiffany Mitchell (wrist), Jessica Shepard (illness), Aerial Powers (ankle), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Dorka Juhász

Storm Injury Report: Jordan Horston (shoulder) is OUT.

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Ivana Dojkić, Jewell Loyd, Kia Nurse, Ezi Magbegor, Joyner Holmes

Minnesota's last outing may have been their best of the season. They beat the Storm and scored 104 points in the process, marking their first triple-digit scoring game of the season. Napheesa Collier shined in that one as she scored a career-high 33 points.

Seattle continues to struggle defensively as teams have averaged a league-high 46.8% field goal percentage against them this season. They haven't been much better offensively, made apparent by their league-worst 39.8% field goal percentage. Jewell Loyd (24.5 points per game) has been great, but that hasn't been enough for the Storm to find any sort of success.