It’s an ION Friday for the WNBA with four games on the network to kick off the weekend.
We start with three games beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET: the Atlanta Dream hosting the Dallas Wings, the Connecticut Sun at home against the Las Vegas Aces and the Indiana Fever facing off against the Minnesota Lynx. The final game will be the Chicago Sky welcoming the Los Angeles Sparks at 9:30 p.m. ET.
With playoffs approaching and battles for seeding intensifying, let’s focus on the two matchups with the biggest postseason implications: Sun vs. Aces and Fever vs. Lynx.
A’ja Wilson is Aces
You might be tired of hearing it, but get used to it: A’ja Wilson is otherworldly. She has surpassed Tamika Catchings in career double-doubles with 97 and counting and had a recent 41-point and 17-rebound game against the Phoenix Mercury. Thanks to her play, Las Vegas has won three games in a row.
The team is still underperforming on the season and stuck at the No. 4 spot in the standings. A win against the Sun on Friday could take one game off the three-game advantage Connecticut has on them.
Beating the Sun hasn’t been an easy task in 2024. They’ve only lost nine games, but one of those defeats came at the hands of the Aces back on June 21, when Las Vegas prevailed 85-74. This is one of two matchups left between these two squads, and given how tight things are, both teams will want to win these games to secure the best playoff spot possible and own the tiebreaker over the other team.
For Connecticut, winning is all about maintaining balance. They have six players averaging double figures in scoring and will need significant contributions from all of them to keep Las Vegas at bay.
A Test for the Fever
The Fever have been spectacular since the Olympic break and are tied for the best record in the WNBA during this stretch with seven wins and just one loss. The problem is the team that has matched their mark is the Lynx.
Both teams are on fire, but the Lynx have the experience and the best player on the floor in Napheesa Collier. The Fever’s Caitlin Clark will certainly try to destroy that statement, and if she gets going from beyond the arc, she very well might do just that.
The Fever have been so good as of late for a myriad of reasons. Clark somehow has become an ever-better passer, currently leading the entire league with 8.4 assists per game. Her improvement in pick-and-roll actions with Aliyah Boston, along with Kelsey Mitchell averaging a team-high 25.6 points over the past eight contests, has the Indiana offense exploding.
Still, the Lynx will be fearless on the road. With a win on Friday, they aim to regain the second seed in the standings. This team is as dangerous as they come and is on a mission for a title. The Fever are a fun and exciting young team, but they are not quite at that level yet. This game will be more of a test for the Fever than for the Lynx. Passing it would put the entire league on notice.
Game information
Atlanta Dream (11-22) vs. Dallas Wings (9-24)
When: Friday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, GA
How to watch: ION
Dream injury report: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (out; ankle), Ariel Powers (out; calf)
Wings injury report: Stephanie Soares (probable; knee)
Connecticut Sun (24-9) vs. Las Vegas Aces (21-12)
When: Friday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
How to watch: ION
Sun injury report: Tiffany Mitchell (out; illness)
Aces injury report: none
Indiana Fever (18-16) vs. Minnesota Lynx (24-9)
When: Friday, September 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN
How to watch: ION
Fever injury report: Temi Fagbenle (questionable; shoulder)
Lynx injury report: none
Chicago Sky (11-22) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (7-26)
When: Friday, September 6 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL
How to watch: ION
Sky injury report: Elizabeth Williams (out; knee)
Sparks injury report: Cameron Brink (out; left knee), Lexie Brown (out; Crohn’s), Layshia Clarendon (out; mental health reasons)
