WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/24

Aug 24th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: None reported.

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

Sun Injury Report: Brionna Jones (Achilles), DiJonai Carrington (foot) are OUT.

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

In August, the Liberty have had a league-best +17.3 Net Rating and have allowed a league-low 72.7 points per game. They'll face another top defensive team in this matchup as the Sun have the league's second-best season-long defensive rating (98.3). Alyssa Thomas has led the way offensively as of late, averaging 19.1 points and 7.5 assists per game in August. Her 24.2% usage rate ranks second on the team this month.

Seattle Storm at Indiana Fever, 7pm ET

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

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

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

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

After a 10-game losing streak, the Storm have now won six of their last 10. During that stretch, they've allowed the second-fewest points per game (77.6) of any team, and their 37.7 rebounds per game have ranked top-three. Seattle will need to maintain that effort on the glass as Indiana has had the league's highest rebounding percentage (53.1%) since August 8 when NaLyssa Smith returned from injury. She's averaged 7.4 rebounds per game in those five contests.

Las Vegas Aces at Chicago Sky, 8pm ET

Aces Injury Report: TBD

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

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

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

A'ja Wilson will look to build off her record-tying 53-point performance when she and the Aces face the Sky. Chicago has the league's third-worst defensive rating (106.1) this month while their 31.9 rebounds per game have been the second-fewest of any team. The matchup sets up well for Wilson who is averaging 32.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game over the last five contests. The Aces' 94.2 points per game over that span have led the league.

Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings, 8pm 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

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

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Crystal Dangerfield, Arike Ogunbowale, Awak Kuier, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan

The Lynx are coming off a win against Dallas where Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride combined for 50 points. Collier had 29, McBride had 21, and no other Lynx starter had more than seven. The Wings have had the league's worst defensive rating (107.6) this month, but their top-three 108.2 offensive rating has helped to make up for it. Satou Sabally had a team-high 22 points last game and has averaged 21.3 points per game against the Lynx this season.