WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 8/8

Aug 8th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Connecticut Sun at Seattle Storm, 3pm ET

Sun Injury Report: Bernadett Határ (knee) is AVAILABLE. Brionna Jones (Achilles) is OUT.

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

Storm Injury Report: None reported.

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Sami Whitcomb, Jewell Loyd, Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu

The Sun have won five of their last six outings. During that span, their +9.4 Net Rating has ranked second-best of any team and DeWanna Bonner has averaged 20.8 points per game. She's led the team in scoring in both games against Seattle this season. The Storm have won three of their last four, posting a 95.9 defensive rating over that span of games.

Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever, 7pm ET

Sparks Injury Report: Lexie Brown (illness), Chiney Ogwumike (foot), Nia Clouden (knee), Katie Lou Samuelson (maternity leave) are OUT.

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Layshia Clarendon, Karlie Samuelson, Nneka Ogwumike, Azurá Stevens

Fever Injury Report: NaLyssa Smith (foot) is AVAILABLE.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, Victoria Vivians, Aliyah Boston

Los Angeles has beaten Indiana both times they've played. In those contests, the Fever scored just 73.0 points per game while Nneka Ogwumike averaged 27.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. On the season, Indiana's 106.3 defensive rating has been the league's worst. After a rough stretch, Aliyah Boston has played much better recently as she's averaged 22.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game over the last two outings.

Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky, 8pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Rachel Banham (thumb) is AVAILABLE. Dorka Juhasz (hamstring), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard

Sky Injury Report: Sika Koné (overseas duties) is PROBABLE/AVAILABLE. Isabelle Harrison (knee), Rebekah Gardner (foot), Ruthy Hebard (suspended) are OUT.

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

In the previous meeting between these teams, the Lynx lost by 11 points which kickstarted a six-game losing streak. Heading into this matchup, Minnesota has the league's third-worst Net Rating (-6.5), and their 79.6 points per game rank bottom four. However, they should have a chance to succeed against the Sky who have had the league's worst defensive rating (114.1) over the last five outings. Minnesota and Chicago have the two worst season-long defensive ratings in the league.

Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings, 8pm ET

Aces Injury Report: TBD

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

Wings Injury Report: Awak Kuier (ankle), Diamond DeShields (knee), Lou Lopez Senechal (knee) are OUT.

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

The Aces are coming off their worst loss of the season as the Liberty beat them by 38 points. Las Vegas' 61 points in that outing were a season-low. Now they're set to face a Wings team that has given them one of their three losses. However, Dallas is coming off back-to-back losses where they gave up 104.0 points per game. Offensively, the Wings haven't been able to consistently make shots from deep as their 30.2% three-point percentage is the league's worst.

Washington Mystics at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

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

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

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

The Mystics' season started trending downwards once they lost much of their core to injuries. Washington's 104.9 defensive rating has been a bottom-three mark over the last 10 games after they started the season as one of the league's top defensive teams. They'll have an opportunity to perform better on that end of the floor as the Mercury have had the league's third-worst offensive rating this season. Phoenix's defense has improved recently as they've allowed the third-fewest points per game (80.4) over the last 10 contests.