WNBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 9/8

Sep 8th 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

  • A'ja Wilson (leg) — Out

  • Shakira Austin (ankle) — Available

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__WNBA for notifications.

Minnesota Lynx News

Confirmed Lineup: Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, Bridget Carleton, Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith

Washington Mystics News

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

  • Shakira Austin (ankle) — Available

  • Ariel Atkins (ankle) — Not on injury report

Atlanta Dream News

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

  • Aerial Powers (calf) — Injured

  • Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (ankle) — Injured

Indiana Fever News

Confirmed Lineup: Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, Lexie Hull, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston

Las Vegas Aces News

Confirmed Lineup: Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Alysha Clark, Megan Gustafson

  • A'ja Wilson (leg) — Out

Wilson scored 20 points in Friday's win over the Sun, putting her 11 points shy of breaking the single-season scoring record, which was set by Jewell Loyd in 38 games last season. Wilson can set the mark at 940 points in her 35th contest on Sunday against the Liberty. The previous record before the WNBA moved to a 40-game regular season was set by Diana Taurasi with 860 points over 34 games in 2006. However, her pursuit of the record will have to wait at least one game, as she was a late scratch with a lower right leg injury.

New York Liberty News

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

The Liberty are comfortably atop the standings headed into the final stretch and will now face the Aces in a rematch of last year's Finals. New York has defeated Las Vegas twice this regular season, with both previous meetings occurring in Sin City. After a length absence and several games off the bench, Laney-Hamilton returned to the starting lineup on Thursday against Seattle, scoring 18 points in 31 minutes. Among all players with at least 10 appearances this season, Laney-Hamilton leads the league in Offensive Rating (110.6).

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, Chennedy Carter, Michaela Onyenwere, Isabelle Harrison, Kamilla Cardoso

  • Angel Reese (wrist) — Out for season

  • Elizabeth Williams (knee) — Out for season

The Sky are in a heated battle with the Dream and Mystics for the last postseason spot. Seven teams have already clinched; Chicago is deadlocked with Atlanta at 12-22, with Washington one game behind at 11-23. The Sky are just 2-8 in their last 10 games while the Dream and Mystics are both 5-5 in their last 10, creating a close race with six contests to go.

However, the Sky must face this challenge without the services of their star rookie Reese, who announced on social media that her wrist injury is season-ending. She ends the year with averages of 13.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game in 34 appearances (all starts). Her 26 double-doubles is five more than A'ja Wilson for tops in the WNBA. Isabelle Harrison could start at power forward while Reese is sidelined, while Brianna Turner could have an elevated role off the bench.

Connecticut Sun News

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

  • Tiffany Mitchell (illness) — Out

Los Angeles Sparks News

Confirmed Lineup: Odyssey Sims, Rae Burrell, Rickea Jackson, Dearica Hamby, Azura Stevens

  • Aari McDonald (ankle) — Questionable

  • Layshia Clarendon — Out

  • Lexie Brown (illness) — Out

  • Cameron Brink (knee) — Out for season

Coach Miller tried a new lineup on Friday against Chicago, giving Burrell her first start of the season while moving Stephanie Talbot to the bench. Burrell scored six points and added four assists and three steals in 25 minutes, but the Sparks lost for the third straight time and the 10th time in 11 games. At 7-27, Los Angeles officially became the first team eliminated from postseason contention.