WNBA News, Notes & Lineups 9/8

Sep 8th 2023Cooper BoniJohn Raudebaugh

Indiana Fever at Connecticut Sun, 7pm ET

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

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

Sun Injury Report: DiJonai Carrington (foot) is PROBABLE. Bernadett Határ (knee) is DOUBTFUL. Brionna Jones (Achilles) is OUT.

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

While the Fever have been eliminated from postseason contention, they haven't stopped trying to play spoiler. That plan didn't pan out last game, however, as they lost by 27 points to the Sky. Now they'll face a playoff-ready Sun team that has won three of its last four contests. Alyssa Thomas can use the final two games to make one final push toward league MVP honors. She's averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game and has recorded six triple-doubles this season.

Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics, 7pm ET

Dream Injury Report: Aari McDonald (personal), Nia Coffey (hand), AD Durr (knee) are OUT.

Dream Confirmed Lineup: Danielle Robinson, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Monique Billings, Cheyenne Parker

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

Mystics Confirmed Lineup: Natasha Cloud, Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, Elena Delle Donne, Myisha Hines-Allen

With their last win, the Dream clinched their first playoff appearance since 2018. They did it despite having the second-worst record (3-7) in the league over the last 10 games. They averaged the second-lowest field goal percentage (41.8%) during that span including a league-worst 29.6% from deep. Rhyne Howard averaged 31.5% shooting in that stretch, down from 43.0% from the field in the first half of the season.

Minnesota Lynx at Chicago Sky, 8pm ET

Lynx Injury Report: Jessica Shepard (ankle), Lindsay Allen (thumb), Natalie Achonwa (maternity leave) are OUT.

Lynx Confirmed Lineup: Tiffany Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, Napheesa Collier, Dorka Juhász

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 Lynx have won two straight and are 5-3 over the last eight games. It's no surprise, but Napheesa Collier averaged team-highs in points (21.0), minutes (34.7), and usage (27.5%) during the stretch. She's one of three players league-wide to have averaged a double-double over that span. She's averaged 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game in two games against the Sky this season.

Seattle Storm at Dallas Wings, 8pm ET

Storm Injury Report: TBD

Storm Confirmed Lineup: Sami Whitcomb, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Ezi Magbegor, Mercedes Russell

Wings Injury Report: Crystal Dangerfield (head), Diamond Deshields (knee), Lou Lopez Sénéchal (knee) are OUT.

Wings Confirmed Lineup: Veronica Burton, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan

The Wings can't improve their playoff position but a loss could put them at risk of sliding out of the fourth seed. They'll try to make quick work of the Storm after playing starters big minutes lately. Over the last seven games, Arike Ogunbowale averaged a league-high 37.6 minutes per game while Satou Sabally's 35.4 minutes per game is third-most. The Storm have a league-worst 96.6 offensive rating since the All-Star break.

Las Vegas Aces at Phoenix Mercury, 10pm ET

Aces Injury Report: TBD

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

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

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

The Aces close out the regular season with two games against the Mercury. With the Liberty on their heels, they haven't locked up the number one playoff seed, so regular minutes and rotations are expected for as long as the Mercury can hang with them. They've averaged 98.5 points and a +30.1 Net Rating in two games against them this season.