WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 7/11

Jul 11th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics, 7pm ET

Storm Injury Report: Jewell Loyd (ankle) will start.

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Ivana Dojkić, Jewell Loyd, Kia Nurse, Ezi Magbegor, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu

Mystics Injury Report: Natasha Cloud (ankle) is ACTIVE. Elena Delle Donne (ankle), Shakira Austin (hip), Kristi Toliver (foot) are OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Myisha Hines-Allen, Tianna Hawkins

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu has seemingly claimed the starting center position in Seattle. She posted 12 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks in 37 minutes in her first career start on Saturday. She'll have an opportunistic matchup as Washington has averaged just 28.7 rebounds over their last three games. Brittney Sykes has been great during that span, leading the Mystics with 19.3 points and 2.3 steals per game. Over the last five games, Seattle has averaged a league-high 9.0 turnovers per game.

Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces, 10pm ET

Mercury Injury Report: Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) is OUT.

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

Aces Injury Report: Candace Parker (ankle), Riquna Williams (back) are OUT.

Aces Confirmed Lineup: Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, A'ja Wilson, Kiah Stokes

The Mercury are playing better defensively as of late. Over the last five games, their 100.3 defensive rating ranks among the league's best. However, they are still turning the ball over more than any team, recording 18.4 turnovers per game during that span. Their elevated defensive play could revert back to the norm, as the Aces are the highest-scoring team (93.6 points per game) in the league. After losing to Dallas two games ago, Las Vegas bounced back and beat the Lynx by 24 points last game.