WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 9/5

Sep 5th 2023

Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

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

Sparks Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Layshia Clarendon, Rae Burrell, Dearica Hamby, Azurá Stevens

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

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

These teams recently met in Connecticut and it didn't go well for the Sparks. Their starters sat most of the fourth quarter when the game was largely out of hand. Six Sun players scored in double figures while both Alyssa Thomas and Olivia Nelson-Ododa recorded double-doubles. Despite being locked into the third seed, it remains to be seen whether or not the starters' playing time will be dialed back, or if they will continue to play full minutes with Nelson-Ododa and Tyasha Harris rounding out a condensed rotation.

Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever, 7pm ET

Sky Injury Report: Alanna Smith (concussion protocol) is IN. Isabelle Harrison (knee), Rebekah Gardner (foot) are OUT.

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

Fever Injury Report: Kristy Wallace (knee), Lexie Hull (shoulder) are OUT.

Fever Confirmed Lineup: Erica Wheeler, Kelsey Mitchell, Victoria Vivians, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Fever are trying to finish the year strong. In their overtime win on Sunday, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell both topped 40 minutes while Erica Wheeler and NaLyssa Smith played 37 and 36 minutes respectively. Indiana has the league's second-highest offensive rating (113.8) over the last five games. Mitchell's 26.6 points per game have been a team-high and the second-most league-wide over that span.

New York Liberty at Dallas Wings, 8pm ET

Liberty Injury Report: Sabrina Ionescu (calf) is ACTIVE.

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

Wings Injury Report: Kalani Brown (health protocols) is AVAILABLE. Diamond DeShields (knee), Lou Lopez Sénéchal (knee) are OUT.

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Crystal Dangerfield, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Awak Kuier

The Wings clinched a playoff berth and are now trying to retain the fourth seed with three games remaining. They have the league's worst defensive rating (108.3) since the All-Star break, while the Liberty have the best offensive rating (111.6) during that span. The Wings have the second-best offensive rating (110.0) in that stretch with Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally leading the way. The duo combined for 37.8 points per game in August, and Ogunbowale's 21.0 points per game are the fifth-most of any player this season.

Washington Mystics at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

Mystics Injury Report: Ariel Atkins (nose), Shakira Austin (hip), Kristi Toliver (knee) are OUT.

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Brittney Sykes, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Elena Delle Donne, Myisha Hines-Allen

Mercury Injury Report: Diana Taurasi (toe), Sophie Cunningham (jaw), Shey Peddy (concussion), Skylar Diggins-Smith (maternity leave) are OUT.

Mercury Confirmed Lineup: Moriah Jefferson, Sug Sutton, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, Brittney Griner

Both teams have been plagued by injuries but the Mercury have missed Diana Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham, specifically offensively. Over the last five games, they're playing at the league's slowest pace (90.36) and their 61.0 shot attempts per game are the league's fewest. Phoenix is averaging just 12.8 three-point attempts per game over that span. In those five games, the Mercury haven't scored more than 76 points.