WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 7/18

Jul 18th 2023Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Minnesota Lynx at Atlanta Dream, 7pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Nikolina Milic (shoulder) is AVAILABLE. Rachel Banham (thumb), Jessica Shepard (illness), Aerial Powers (ankle), and Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

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

Dream Injury Report: Aari McDonald (shoulder) is OUT.

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Danielle Robinson, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Nia Coffey, Monique Billings

The Dream have a league-best 91.0 defensive rating in July, and their 109.1 offensive rating this month is second only to the Aces. They've won six straight, led by Rhyne Howard's 22.7 points per game on 51.6% shooting during the streak. Atlanta will likely continue to play fast in the second half of the season, considering they've played at the fastest pace (100.67) in the league to this point. The Lynx will have to adjust in this matchup as they rank near the bottom of the league in pace.

Connecticut Sun at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

Sun Injury Report: TBD

Sun Confirmed Lineup: Natisha Hiedeman, Tiffany Hayes, Rebecca Allen, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas

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

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

Over the last five games, DeWanna Bonner has led the Sun with 19.2 points per game and the Sun have recorded a 112.2 offensive rating with her on the court. Her 24.3% usage rate is the second-highest on the team during that span and the highest of any starter. She's also led the team in both attempted threes (5.9) and made threes (2.2) per game. The Mercury's strength has been protecting the paint, but Bonner is scoring 46.9% of her points from deep, and she has a size advantage against their wing defenders.