WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 7/23

Jul 23rd 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Phoenix Mercury at Washington Mystics, 1pm ET

Mercury Injury Report: Diana Taurasi (quad, toe), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Moriah Jefferson, Sophie Cunningham, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, Brittney Griner

Mystics Injury Report: Elena Delle Donne (ankle), Ariel Atkins (ankle), Shakira Austin (hip), Kristi Toliver (foot) are OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Sykes, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Myisha Hines-Allen, Tianna Hawkins

Over the last five games, Brittney Sykes has led the short-handed Mystics with 18.6 points per game and has logged a 25.6% usage rate. The team has a -8.2 Net Rating with her off the court this season. Tianna Hawkins has flashed upside during the stretch and has averaged team highs in rebounds per game (5.8) and field goal percentage (60.4%). On Friday, Washington recorded just 28 rebounds while giving up 27 points and 11 rebounds to Jonquel Jones. They'll now face another mismatch in Brittney Griner, who has a team-high 27.3% usage rate in July.

Indiana Fever at New York Liberty, 3pm ET

Fever Injury Report: Lexie Hull (nose) is AVAILABLE. NaLyssa Smith (foot) is OUT.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Victoria Vivians, Aliyah Boston

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

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

Indiana snapped an eight-game losing streak in their last outing. With six wins, the Fever have already won more games this season than they did all of last year. However, they'll have their hands full in this matchup. The Liberty are coming off a win where they scored 96 points and shot 47.3% from the field. They've been one of the league's elite scoring teams all season, while the Fever's 106.0 defensive rating is the worst in the WNBA.