WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/22

Aug 22nd 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Las Vegas Aces at Atlanta Dream, 7pm ET

Aces Injury Report: TBD

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

Dream Injury Report: Rhyne Howard (knee) is AVAILABLE. Allisha Gray (ankle), Nia Coffey (hand) are OUT.

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Danielle Robinson, Aari McDonald, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Cheyenne Parker

The Aces have beaten the Dream in all three of their matchups by 15.7 points per game. The last time they played, Las Vegas held Atlanta to 65 points. In August, the Dream's 90.9 offensive rating and 27.6% three-point percentage have been league-lows. Like most teams, they don't match up well against the Aces, whose 96.7 defensive rating is the league's best. A'ja Wilson has averaged a league-high 27.0 points per game over the last five contests.

Connecticut Sun at Washington Mystics, 7pm ET

Sun Injury Report: TBD

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

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

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Tianna Hawkins, Shakira Austin

The Sun snapped a three-game losing streak in their last outing and have a comfortable hold on the Eastern Conference's second seed. They'll face a Mystics team that has seen its season trajectory drastically altered due to injuries. Washington has lost seven of their last 10 games and their 42.1% field goal percentage has been the league's second-worst over that span. Brittney Sykes has done everything possible to help the team remain afloat as she's averaged 19.1 points per game during that stretch. The team's recent offensive struggles don't bode well for them in this matchup as teams are shooting just 43.1% from the field against Connecticut.

Seattle Storm at Chicago Sky, 8pm ET

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

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

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

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

While Seattle has struggled offensively, their 97.1 defensive rating in August has been the league's third-best. They'll need to maintain that effort in order to beat the Sky who've had a top-five offensive rating (102.1) this month. The Storm will need to take advantage of Chicago's tendency to turn the ball over as the Sky are averaging the second-most turnovers per game (15.1) over their last seven outings.

Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx, 8pm 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

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

After losing three of their first four games this month, the Wings have won three straight. During the streak, they've scored a league-high 94.3 points per game which is impressive when you consider two of those games came against a defensive juggernaut in Connecticut. The Lynx are averaging the second-fewest points per game (74.7) in August and will have to improve their offensive struggles to compete with Dallas. Only Atlanta has had a worse field goal percentage than Minnesota (41.6%) this month.