WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 6/6

Jun 6th 2023

John RaudebaughCooper Boni

Las Vegas Aces at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

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

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

Sun Injury Report: None reported

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

The Aces are number one in pace (101.7) and the Sun are dead last (94.89), and while this is a matchup between the top two teams in the league, pace is not the only wide discrepancy. The Aces are first in points per game (93.7) as well as made threes (9.0), while the Sun rank near the bottom of the league in both categories. DeWanna Bonner leads the Sun in usage (24.5%) and points per game (16.0), but generally struggled against Las Vegas in the 2022 Finals. Connecticut will continue to lean on Alyssa Thomas, who is one of five players in the league currently averaging a double-double.

Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky, 8pm ET

Fever Injury Report: None reported

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

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

The Sky will get Dana Evans back after missing Sunday's game with an illness, but will still have just eight players available for this matchup against the Fever. In four games since losing both Morgan Bertsch and Rebekah Gardner, Marina Mabrey leads the backcourt with a 25.8% usage rate and 16.3 points per game. Courtney Williams has stepped into a big role, averaging team highs of 5.5 assists per game and an impressive 8.3 rebounds per game.

Chicago (38.0) and Indiana (37.8) are the top two teams in the league right now in rebounds per game. NaLyssa Smith is averaging 11.4 rebounds per game, less than one board shy of most in the league. The Fever have lost by just four or fewer points in their last two games.

Los Angeles Sparks at Seattle Storm, 10pm ET

Sparks Injury Report: Azurá Stevens (back) is AVAILABLE. Chiney Ogwumike (foot), Jasmine Thomas (knee), Katie Lou Samuelson (pregnancy) are OUT.

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

Storm Injury Report: None reported

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

Los Angeles has played well to start the season, but they must work to get better shots. After five outings, they've allowed a league-high 7.2 blocks against per game. They're now set to face a Seattle team that's been committed to blocking shots, as the Storm are averaging 6.3 blocks per game. Aside from that, both of these teams leave much to be desired on the defensive end of the floor. Seattle and Los Angeles rank in the bottom fourth of the league when it comes to points per game allowed. The Storm are allowing the most points per game and the highest opponent three-point percentage in the league.