Sunday will feature four WNBA games, with the highlight undoubtedly being the matchup between the Indiana Fever (10-14) and the Minnesota Lynx (16-7) at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.
This will be the final weekend of regular season basketball for a month, with the WNBA All-Star Game and the Olympic break approaching. So, let’s see what the matchups are and what to expect from each team on Sunday.
The Mercury are short-handed as the Sun continue to shine
The Phoenix Mercury (12-11) have had positive moments this year, but with a nasty injury bug, they find themselves lacing enough healthy players to bring forth the best version of themselves. It’s one reason they were blown out against the Indiana Fever on Friday and why they will be the underdog against the Connecticut Sun (17-5) on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ABC).
For Connecticut, they are also coming off a defeat, albeit against the New York Liberty on the road by just three points. If the Sun can continue to get their usual production from players like Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones, they should cruise to victory against a Mercury team waiting for the break so they can reset.
Two teams, two different directions
The Las Vegas Aces (15-7) are in prime form, having won nine of their last 10 games. The Washington Mystics (6-17) are the opposite of that, losing four of their previous six contests
Essentially, the Mystics’ only advantage is hosting the defending champions at home as they attempt to earn their biggest win of the year (3 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network). Washington’s path to victory will be arduous, as Las Vegas has too many offensive weapons to contain, including A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and Jackie Young.
Fever-Lynx is the game of the day
The Indiana Fever’s (10-14) start to the season was rough, but now they are in their best form, with quality wins against the Mercury and the Liberty.
Indiana has the talent, with an All-Star trio in Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell, but the Minnesota Lynx (16-7) will prove to be a much tougher challenge (4 p.m. ET, ESPN). They are 16-7 on the season and might get back their superstar, Napheesa Collier, who is questionable to return from her foot injury on Sunday.
If Collier plays, containing her is an exercise in futility; the goal has to be to disrupt her offensive flow as much as possible. A win by the Fever would prove they might be ready for playoff basketball this year. A blowout loss would signify that, while they’ve shown promise, there is a long way to go before they are a team to take seriously.
Storm could wrap up Sunday with an easy win
Similar to the Lynx, the Seattle Storm (15-8) seem prepared to contend for the title this year. That means not only beating the best but also pummeling the worst. This Sunday, they’ll be able to demonstrate just how big that gap when they play the Atlanta Dream (7-15) at home (6 p.m. ET, League Pass).
Atlanta is hanging out in the WNBA basement this year as it rebuilds and retools, while the Storm have Nneka Ogwumike, Jewell Loyd and Skylar Diggins-Smith ready to give Seattle its fifth title. If the Storm are who I think they are, expect this one to be over by halftime.
Game information
Connecticut Sun (17-5) vs. Phoenix Mercury (12-11)
When: Sunday, July 14 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT
How to watch: ABC
Sun injury report: Moriah Jefferson (out; ankle)
Mercury injury report: Diana Taurasi (questionable; lower leg), Natasha Cloud (questionable; left knee), Brittney Griner (questionable; right hip), Sug Sutton (out; right hamstring), Charmisma Osborne (out; lower left leg)
Washington Mystics (6-17) vs. Las Vegas Aces (15-7)
When: Sunday, July 14 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC
How to watch: CBS Sports Network/Monumental
Aces injury report: none
Mystics injury report: Brittney Sykes (out; left foot), Shakira Austin (out; left hip), Karlie Samuelson (out; left hand fracture)
Minnesota Lynx (16-7) vs. Indiana Fever (10-14)
When: Sunday, July 14 at 4 p.m. ET
Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN
How to watch: ESPN
Lynx injury report: Napheesa Collier (questionable; left foot), Olivia Epoupa (out; right thigh)
Fever injury report: Temi Fagbenle (out; thumb)
Seattle Storm (15-8) vs. Atlanta Dream (7-15)
When: Sunday, July 14 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA
How to watch: WNBA League Pass
Storm injury report: none
Dream injury report: Aerial Powers (questionable; calf), Jordin Canada (out; broken finger), Rhyne Howard (out; left ankle)
