WNBA: Five critical questions for five Commissioner’s Cup games

The Seattle Storm’s upset of the previously-undefeated Minnesota Lynx has opened up the Western Conference’s Commissioner’s Cup race. In the Eastern Conference, in contrast, the New York Liberty are on track to return to the Cup championship game for a third-straight season.

On Saturday, New York can confirm their control with a win over the Indiana Fever (3 p.m. ET, ABC), while the Storm and Lynx will look to remain in contention for the West’s crown with victories over the Los Angeles Sparks (1 p.m. ET, CBS) and Golden State Valkyries (8:30 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass), respectively.

First, on Friday night, the Atlanta Dream can keep their long-shot Cup hopes alive with a win against the Chicago Sky (7:30 p.m ET, ION). The Las Vegas Aces and Dallas Wings, meanwhile, will meet, both searching for a win that can shift their sinking vibes (10 p.m. ET, ION).

Here’s one critical question for these five Cup games:

Can the Dream just take care of business?

Last Friday, the Dream lost to the Connecticut Sun, temporarily stalling the positive momentum the team had established after a successful start to the season. This Friday, can the Dream avoid another blunder against the Sky, a team, like the Sun, that a squad of the Dream’s quality should not lose to?

Atlanta must bring defensive intensity and offensively intentionality to prevent Chicago from gaining any confidence, something they didn’t do against Connecticut, as they allowed the tandem of Marina Mabrey and Tina Charles to combine for 53 points.

Will Jewell Loyd find it for the Aces?

After exiting the Aces’ Wednesday night loss to the Sparks with a head injury, A’ja Wilson is doubtful to play on Friday night. Regardless of whether or not the reigning MVP suits up, it’s past time for Jewell Loyd to show why Vegas traded for her this offseason.

It’s been a puzzlingly poor start to the season for Loyd. To a certain extent, it’s understandable that she is experiencing an adjustment period as she wades carefully into a culture with established, championship-proven stars. But that describes Loyd herself. She’s a star. She’s a winner. Yet, instead of amplifying the Aces with some Gold Mamba swagger, she has treaded lightly with timidity. Whether she continues to start or comes off the bench, a switch needs to be flipped!

Will the Lynx deliver a rude response after their first loss?

The Sparks are in an undesirable spot, arriving in Target Center on Saturday afternoon after the Lynx’s first loss of the season.

If Minnesota wants to maintain their status as one the league’s two championship favorites, while also keeping their chances of defending their Commissioner’s Cup crown alive, an authoritative, unquestionable victory is the expectation. Head coach Cheryl Reeve will tolerate nothing less. That same goes for Napheesa Collier. While she finished with 25 points in the loss to the Storm, it took her 23 shots to get there, well below her usual standard of impeccable efficiency.

Will a possible Clark return lead the Fever past the Liberty?

It remains unclear if Caitlin Clark will return from the quad injury that has sidelined her for more than two weeks when the Fever host the Liberty on Saturday.

In the long run, the presence and play of the sophomore superstar will help alleviate Indiana’s inconsistency. But, the Fever finding their best form against the league-leading Liberty seems like an unlikely proposition.

Indiana did give New York their toughest test of the season, requiring expert defense from Natasha Cloud to deny Clark’s final shot attempt and secure the win. If Clark is back, expect Cloud to welcome her with that same, signature intensity, as New York as a whole aims to prove that they are defending champs for a reason.

Can Seattle maintain control of their Cup destiny?

Due to their win over the Lynx, the Storm control their Commissioner’s Cup destiny. A loss to the Valkyries on Saturday would instantly jeopardize that.

Surely, the veteran Storm will not allow the spunky squad from San Francisco to play spoiler? Golden State, however, has consistently punched above their weight, all while showing a penchant for some clutch-time magic.

To ensure they do not suffer a setback, the Storm must use their size to seize the advantage, just as they did against the Lynx. One of the league’s most reluctant 3-point shooting teams, the Storm also cannot allow the 3-happy Valkyries to get on a heater from behind the arc, as the disparity between Storm 2s and Valkyrie 3s could see Seattle become the victim of an upset.