WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/18

Aug 18th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

Wings Injury Report: Diamond DeShields (knee), Lou Lopez Sénéchal (knee) are OUT.

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

Sun Injury Report: Bernadett Határ (health protocols), Brionna Jones (Achilles) are OUT.

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

These teams faced off in Dallas a week ago when the Wings won by 10 despite foul trouble limiting Teaira McCowan's minutes. Satou Sabally led the team in scoring with 28 points including 10 of the team's 14 second-chance points. In three games against the Sun this season, she's averaged 23.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas has averaged 15.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game against the Wings.

Washington Mystics at Indiana Fever, 7pm ET

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

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Myisha Hines-Allen, Elena Delle Donne

Fever Injury Report: None reported.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Kristy Wallace, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

In three games since NaLyssa Smith returned from injury, the Fever have averaged 36.7 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game, both of which are top-five league-wide and above their season average. She's been eased back and has yet to rejoin the starting lineup. After playing 27 minutes in the last contest followed by four days off, it would be a suitable time for Smith to start and play a full workload. The Fever have a 104.4 offensive rating with Smith on the court this season.

Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream, 7:30pm 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

Dream Injury Report: Rhyne Howard (face), Nia Coffey (hand) are OUT.

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Danielle Robinson, Aari McDonald, Allisha Gray, Naz Hillmon, Cheyenne Parker

The Sky have looked much improved offensively in August as their 87.2 points per game have been the league's third-most. However, their 107.5 defensive rating this month has been the third-worst of any team. They'll have a chance to improve things on that side of the floor as the Dream have had the league's worst offensive rating (91.9) over the last 10 games. Allisha Gray has converted 43.3% of her three-point attempts during that span, up from her season average of 38.0%.

New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: None reported.

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

Mercury Injury Report: Brittney Griner (health protocols), Megan Gustafson (health protocols), Shey Peddy (concussion), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Diana Taurasi, Moriah Jefferson, Sophie Cunningham, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner

The Liberty are set to play the second game of a back-to-back after facing the Aces last night. They'll face a Phoenix team that has won three of their last five games. During that stretch, the Mercury have ranked top-five in points per game (86.8) and effective field goal percentage (54.6%). Diana Taurasi's 21.2 points per game over that span have been the fifth-most of any player.

Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm, 10pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Lindsay Allen (thumb), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Tiffany Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard

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

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

These teams have met twice this season with Minnesota winning both contests by an average of 6.5 points per game. The point totals in those outings were high which makes sense considering both teams' bottom-five defensive ratings. The Lynx will need to take advantage of the Storm's poor three-point defense as teams have converted the second-highest percentage of their threes (36.0%) against Seattle.