WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 9/3

Sep 3rd 2024Ryan Schwepfinger

Each day, this column will provide live updates for all WNBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current WNBA slate.

Key WNBA News to Watch

  • Kelsey Plum (ankle) — Out

  • Chennedy Carter (health protocols) — Out

  • Rachel Banham (shoulder) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

Seattle Storm News

Confirmed Lineup: Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Gabby Williams, Nneka Ogwumike, Ezi Magbegor

Williams has remained in the starting lineup for two straight games with Jordan Horston available off the bench, a sign that coach Quinn may have changed her first five for good following Williams' midseason arrival. However, Williams has struggled to get up to speed, averaging just 4.7 points per game while shooting 21.1% in three starts overall. Seattle has also lost two games in a row. A return to Horston against the Sun can't be ruled out.

Connecticut Sun News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyasha Harris, DiJonai Carrington, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones

  • Tiffany Mitchell (illness) — Out

Washington Mystics News

Confirmed Lineup: Brittney Sykes, Julie Vanloo, Ariel Atkins, Aaliyah Edwards, Stefanie Dolson

  • Shakira Austin (ankle) — Out

Austin is set to miss her third straight game with an ankle injury. Although coach Thibault said that she was rehabbing over the weekend, she did not practice Monday. Notably, Washington has opened its bench in her absence, playing 11 players in each of the two games Austin has missed. Ten different players were on the court for 13 or more minutes against Connecticut on Saturday.

Dallas Wings News

Confirmed Lineup: Jacy Sheldon, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, Natasha Howard, Teaira McCowan

  • Stephanie Soares (knee) — Out

Chicago Sky News

Confirmed Lineup: Lindsay Allen, Rachel Banham, Michaela Onyenwere, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso

  • Chennedy Carter (health protocols) — Out

  • Rachel Banham (shoulder) — Available

  • Elizabeth Williams (knee) — Out for season

In Sunday's loss to the Lynx, Reese added another extraordinary accolade to her successful rookie season by setting the WNBA's all-time single-season rebounding record. She finished the game with 19 boards, totaling 418 for the year in just 32 games. The previous record was held by Sylvia Fowles, who had 404 rebounds in 34 games in 2018.

Las Vegas Aces News

Confirmed Lineup: Chelsea Gray, Tiffany Hayes, Jackie Young, A'ja Wilson, Megan Gustafson

  • Chelsea Gray (back) — Not on injury report

  • Kelsey Plum (ankle) — Out

  • Queen Egbo (signed) — TBD

The Aces received a scare when Gray took a hard charge and was ruled out for the second half after attempting a return on Sunday against Phoenix. She's not on the injury report for this game, implying she is good to go. After a mini-slide, Las Vegas has won two straight games and has clinched a playoff berth, one of five teams to do so. The Aces enter Tuesday's slate one game ahead of Seattle for the fourth seed and home court advantage in the first round.

Atlanta Dream News

Confirmed Lineup: Jordin Canada, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Naz Hillmon, Tina Charles

  • Aerial Powers (calf) — Injured

  • Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (ankle) — Injured

Phoenix Mercury News

Confirmed Lineup: Celeste Taylor, Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper, Sophie Cunningham, Brittney Griner

  • Natasha Cloud — Suspended

  • Rebecca Allen (hamstring) — Injured

  • Charisma Osborne (leg) — Injured

Both Cloud and Taurasi received their seventh technical fouls of the season during Sunday's loss to Las Vegas, but Taurasi's was since rescinded, and she'll be available against Atlanta. Cloud will serve her one-game suspension in this match. Taurasi is back at six technical fouls now, joined by Copper; both players are one more T away from a suspension of their own.