WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/13

Aug 13th 2023Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Chicago Sky at Washington Mystics, 3pm ET

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

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

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

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

After a three-game win streak, the Sky have now lost back-to-back games. Over that five-game span, their 112.1 offensive rating has been the league's second-best. However, they've struggled defensively in those contests as they've allowed 89.4 points per game. The Mystics haven't found much success recently as they've lost eight of their last 10 games. During that span, Brittney Sykes has led the team with 17.6 points per game and has had a team-high 27.4% usage rate.

New York Liberty at Indiana Fever, 3pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: Han Xu (travel) is OUT.

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

Fever Injury Report: None reported.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Kristy Wallace, Victoria Vivians, Aliyah Boston

After their new-look roster was criticized a bit early on, the Liberty have won nine of their last 10 contests by 11.6 points per game. During that stretch, Breanna Stewart led the team with 21.5 points per game, and Sabrina Ionescu converted 44.9% of her three-point shots. That offensive prowess will help them against a Fever team that has the worst defensive rating (106.0) in the league. Opposing teams are converting a league-high 37.9% of their three-pointers against Indiana, setting up what should be an opportunistic matchup for Ionescu and the Liberty's shooters.

Phoenix Mercury at Seattle Storm, 6pm ET

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

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

Storm Injury Report: Gabby Williams (foot) is OUT.

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Sami Whitcomb, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Ezi Magbegor, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu

Phoenix and Seattle have struggled to hold onto the ball as they're averaging 17.1 and 15.3 turnovers per game respectively, both of which rank bottom-three. The Mercury have shot better recently as they've had a league-high 48.0% field goal percentage over their last five games. They'll need to continue that hot shooting as teams have had the second-lowest field goal percentage (40.3%) against Seattle over that span of games. The Storm are coming off a win where they held the Dream to 67 points.

Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces, 9pm ET

Dream Injury Report: None reported.

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

Aces Injury Report: Alysha Clark (back), Candace Parker (foot), Riquna Williams (suspended) are OUT.

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

The Dream are on the second end of a road back-to-back coming off a loss in Los Angeles on Saturday. In August, no team scored fewer points per game (73.2) than the Dream. Allisha Gray has averaged 17.3 points per game this season but has seen that number dip to 12.8 per game this month. That lack of offense will need to change fast in order to compete with the Aces who score a league-high 94.2 points per game. Las Vegas' defense has also been stellar this season as they have the best defensive rating (97.4) of any team.