WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 7/9

Jul 9th 2023Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Washington Mystics at Connecticut Sun, 3pm ET

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

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Brittney Sykes, Ariel Atkins, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Elena Delle Donne, Tianna Hawkins

Sun Injury Report: TBD

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

Prior to the last two games, the Mystics had a league-high 93.8 defensive rating. In the last two games without Elena Delle Donne, the Mystics' 110.6 defensive rating ranks bottom-three in the league. The Sun are a gritty team with a 97.5 defensive rating, but Delle Donne found success against them earlier in the season. She recorded a double-double, then scored 27 points in back-to-back games against Connecticut.

Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever, 4pm ET

Wings Injury Report: Kalani Brown (concussion), Diamond DeShields (knee), Lou Lopez Senechal (knee) are OUT.

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

Fever Injury Report: None reported

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

The Wings are coming off a win against Las Vegas where they outrebounded the Aces 36 to 25. Their 53.2% rebounding rate is the best in the league, and they've had a league-best 97.3 defensive rating over the last five games. The Fever, on the other hand, have a league-worst 107.8 defensive rating this season. However, the 32.0 paint points per game they allow are the fewest of any team.

Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury, 6pm ET

Sparks Injury Report: Lexie Brown (illness), Chiney Ogwumike (foot), Karlie Samuelson (foot), Layshia Clarendon (foot), Nia Clouden (knee) are OUT.

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Jasmine Thomas, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens, Nneka Ogwumike

Mercury Injury Report: Shey Peddy (Achilles), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

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

As injuries keep piling up for Los Angeles, they must continue to lean on Nneka Ogwumike. She's averaging 19.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game and has had a couple of solid outings against Phoenix. The Sparks will try to make it three straight wins against the Mercury, who have lost three straight games and rank last with a 46.2% rebound rate.

Las Vegas Aces at Minnesota Lynx, 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

Lynx Injury Report: Tiffany Mitchell (wrist), Jessica Shepard (illness), Aerial Powers (ankle), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Dorka Juhász The Aces lost their previous game following a nine-game win streak. Now, they'll face another capable team in Minnesota. The Lynx have won five straight and are establishing themselves as one of the league's up-and-coming teams. Their 13.7 turnovers per game are the third-fewest of any team, and that ball security should continue against the Aces, against whom teams have averaged just 13.6 turnovers per game.

Atlanta Dream at Chicago Sky, 8pm ET

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

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

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 Dream's 19.5% turnover rate in June was the second-highest in the league. Over the last five games, it's been the lowest at 14.9%. They've won four in a row, led by Rhyne Howard's 22.3 points per game on 56.4% shooting. Allisha Gray has also played well over that span, averaging 21.3 points per game on 59.6% shooting. Atlanta leads the league in pace (100.91), making this a pace-up spot for the Sky (95.70). Chicago allows 12.9 fast break points per game this season, the second-most league-wide.