WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 7/25

Jul 25th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Phoenix Mercury at Atlanta Dream, 7pm 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

Dream Injury Report: None reported

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Danielle Robinson, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Nia Coffey, Cheyenne Parker

The Mercury have played better recently, winning three of their last five games. In those games, their 98.7 defensive rating has been fourth-best in the league, which is encouraging considering their season-long defensive rating (105.4) is among the league's worst. Phoenix will have to keep it up to compete with the Dream, whose 85.3 points per game are the fourth-most of any team this season. Atlanta has also impressed defensively as teams have scored a league-low 78.0 points per game against them in July.

Seattle Storm at New York Liberty, 7pm ET

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

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Sami Whitcomb, Jewell Loyd, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu

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

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

Seattle's struggles continued last game as they lost by 15 points to the Sky, extending their losing streak to nine games. During the skid, their 40.7% field goal percentage has been the worst of any team, while opponents have scored a league-high 89.3 points per game against them. Meanwhile, the Liberty are coming off a dominant win against Indiana. Jonquel Jones has been great over the last two contests as she's averaged 22.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Both marks rank top-five during that span.

Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky, 7pm ET

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

Sky Injury Report: Isabelle Harrison (knee), Rebekah Gardner (foot) are OUT.

Sky Confirmed Lineup: Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Kahleah Copper, Alanna Smith, Elizabeth Williams

The Aces have looked dominant during their five-game win streak, made apparent by their league-leading +25.0 Net Rating. Over that span of games, no other team has had a Net Rating better than +16.0 (New York). They'll now square off with a Sky team that they beat by 13 points the last time they played. Chicago snapped a four-game losing streak last game, but it's tough to be too encouraged considering they faced Seattle. The Sky have converted a league-low 38.8% of their field goal attempts over the last five games.

Connecticut Sun at Dallas Wings, 8pm ET

Sun Injury Report: TBD

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

Wings Injury Report: TBD

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Crystal Dangerfield, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan

After an uncharacteristic loss to Phoenix a few games back, the Sun beat the Dream two games in a row. Alyssa Thomas shined in those wins, averaging 10.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Meanwhile, the Wings remain one of the league's hottest teams. They've won five straight, with their 115.3 offensive rating during that time ranking second-best in the league. Their 99.2 defensive rating has also been top-five during the win streak.

Indiana Fever at Los Angeles Sparks, 10pm ET

Fever Injury Report: NaLyssa Smith (foot) is OUT.

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

Sparks Injury Report: Karlie Samuelson (knee), Chiney Ogwumike (foot), Nia Clouden (knee) are OUT.

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Layshia Clarendon, Lexie Brown, Nneka Ogwumike, Azurá Stevens

The Fever have lost nine of their last 10 games, while the Sparks have lost eight straight. The two teams were already having rough seasons, but injuries have made things even harder for both squads. Aliyah Boston had a bad outing for Indiana last game, recording just 6 points and 1 rebound against the Liberty. The team will need her to perform more consistently and stay out of foul trouble moving forward in order to string together wins. The Fever have won two straight games just one time this season.