WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/20

Aug 20th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics, 3pm ET

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

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

Mystics Injury Report: Elena Delle Donne (hip), Shakira Austin (rest), Kristi Toliver (foot) are OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Myisha Hines-Allen, Tianna Hawkins

Each of the Mystics' available players logged at least 10 minutes in their road win on Friday. Despite a deep rotation, Natasha Cloud and Brittney Sykes played 32 and 35 minutes respectively. Sykes led the team with 30 points and had a 31.5% usage rate. She'll need to maintain that play in order to keep up with Arike Ogunbowale, who is coming off a 30-point game herself. The Wings' 107.9 offensive rating has been the league's third-best this month.

Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky, 5pm ET

Sun Injury Report: TBD

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

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 Sun have suddenly lost three straight games. During the losing streak, they've had the worst defensive rating (114.5) in the league, which is surprising considering their season-long 98.8 defensive rating is the league's second-best. They'll face a Sky team that has averaged 83.8 points per game in August. Kahleah Copper has led the way offensively as she's averaging a team-high 18.3 points per game this month.

Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury, 6pm ET

Fever Injury Report: Lexie Hull (shoulder) is OUT.

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

Mercury Injury Report: Brittney Griner (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 Fever have lost eight of their last 10 games. During that stretch, their 16.9 turnovers per game have been the most of any team. They'll need to improve in that area against the Mercury as teams have averaged the fifth-most turnovers per game (15.0) against Phoenix this month. Diana Taurasi has played admirably in August as she's averaging the third-most points per game (21.3) and is shooting 42.4% from three-point range.

Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx, 7pm ET

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

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

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

Seattle's 97.5 defensive rating has been a top-three mark in August. They match up well against the Lynx, who have scored just 74.8 points per game this month. Minnesota has been one of the league's worst three-point shooting teams this season as they have the second-lowest percentage (31.9%) in the league. Over the last five outings, Kayla McBride has converted just 32.4% of her three-point attempts.