WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/1

Aug 1st 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Emily Engstler (shoulder) is AVAILABLE. Napheesa Collier (ankle), Rachel Banham (thumb), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Nikolina Milic, Dorka Juhász

Sun Injury Report: TBD

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

The Lynx have won their last three games, including wins against the Liberty and Sun. During the win streak, their 111.0 offensive rating has been the league's third-best. They'll need to continue that offensive play in order to beat the Sun again. Connecticut has the second-best defensive rating (97.6) of any team as they've allowed a league-low 78.9 points per game this season. DeWanna Bonner has continued her stellar play recently, averaging a league-high 27.7 points per game over her last three outings.

Phoenix Mercury at Indiana Fever, 7pm ET

Mercury Injury Report: Brittney Griner (mental health), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Diana Taurasi, Moriah Jefferson, Sophie Cunningham, Brianna Turner, Megan Gustafson

Fever Injury Report: Victoria Vivians (illness), NaLyssa Smith (foot) are OUT.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Emma Cannon, Aliyah Boston

After a couple of solid wins, Phoenix has now lost three straight. They rank last in rebounds per game (30.7) and Net Rating (-9.7) this season. Fortunately, they're set to face a Fever team that has just one win in their last 13 games. During that span, Indiana's 78.8 points per game and 32.2% three-point percentage are both bottom three marks. Aliyah Boston has continued to struggle recently as she's averaging just 10.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game over her last five outings.

Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces, 10pm ET

Dream Injury Report: None reported.

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

Aces Injury Report: TBD

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

Allisha Gray has shined for Atlanta as she's averaged 19.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game over her last five games. The combination of Gray and Rhyne Howard (17.9 points per game) has elevated the Dream to the league's top tier of teams. However, they'll be tested against the Aces who haven't lost a game in over three weeks. Las Vegas leads the WNBA with 94.5 points per game and they've been just as good on the defensive end, averaging a league-high 13.2 blocks/steals per game.

New York Liberty at Los Angeles Sparks, 10pm ET

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

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

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

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Layshia Clarendon, Karlie Samuelson, Nneka Ogwumike, Azurá Stevens

After losing to the Lynx a couple of nights ago, the Liberty bounced back against the Sparks in their last game. Marine Johannes was great in the win as she made five three-pointers in the first half and finished with 15 points off the bench. Los Angeles struggled from deep in that game as they shot 22.7% from beyond the arc. The poor percentage shouldn't surprise anyone considering the Sparks' 31.3% three-point percentage is the league's second-lowest mark this season.