Saturday sets up a quartet of WNBA games with significant Commissioner’s Cup implications.
Let’s break it all down. And jump in the comments to let us know which teams you favor, both on Saturday and in the overall Cup chase, and why.
Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx (1 p.m. ET, ABC)
Already 0-2 in Cup play, the Seattle Storm are resigned to playing spoiler. On Saturday, they’ll have that opportunity when they visit the current Western Conference Cup leaders: the Minnesota Lynx.
As Josh Felton detailed, the Lynx aren’t just surviving without Napheesa
Collier, plus all the pieces they lost over the offseason, they’re thriving, benefiting from an ever-connected Cheryl Reeve defense, a suite of sharpshooters and the ascendant Olivia Miles.
Miles, who had made her mark as a playmaker and driver in her early WNBA days, finally showed off the 3-point stroke that improved over the course of her college career on Thursday night, draining a WNBA rookie-record eight triples in another Lynx win.
Still, the Storm might have a better chance to play spoiler than their record suggests. Dominique Malonga, out since May 13 with a concussion, is not listed on the injury report and is expected to play.
So, the Dom-Awa Fam pairing gets a national TV debut! Can they also get the win? Or, will the Lynx cruise to a seventh-straight dub?
Golden State Valkyries vs. Las Vegas Aces (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
If either of these teams have Cup ambitions, they not only need a win—but a big win.
While Minnesota sits at the top of the Western Conference at 2-0 with a +37 point differential, the Dallas Wings are right behind, with their Friday night victory over the Los Angeles Sparks putting them at 2-0 with a +31 scoring margin in Cup play.
The Las Vegas Aces enter the game with a Cup record of 1-0 and a point differential of +10. Despite a 1-1 Cup mark, the Golden State Valkyries own a superior scoring margin of +15.
The two sides met less than one week ago when Vegas, on a two-game skid, invaded Ballahalla and escaped with a win. Golden State’s 16 3-pointers were not enough to overcome to one-two punch of A’ja Wilson and Jackie Young, who combined for 51 points. With Aces unable to count on a bench scoring boost, as Chennedy Carter is out with leg injury while Jewell Loyd is questionable with her own leg issue, A’jack likely needs to again lead the way with loud games.
Or, can the Valkyries find a way to return the favor and send the Aces to surprising 0-3 start at home?
Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream (6 p.m. ET, WNBA League Pass)
Your leaders in the Eastern Conference Commissioner’s standings? The Washington Mystics.
An opening game against the previously-reeling Chicago Sky permitted the Mystics, even absent Sonia Citron, to start their path to the Cup positively. Maintaining the momentum will prove more challenging, especially if Citron, listed as questionable, remains out.
The Atlanta Dream fell to 1-1 in Cup play with a loss to the Indiana Fever on Thursday, barely holding onto a positive scoring margin of +4 after they defeated the Connecticut Sun in their first Cup contest. The 1-0 Mystics have a +18 point differential.
Expect a lot of action on the inside in this one, with DC’s duo of Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen battling Angel Reese. Iriafen and Reese are two of the four players averaging a double-double for the season. Reese is tallying just under 13 points and smidge over 11 boards; Iriafen is scoring 15 points per game while snagging 10.5 rebounds. Austin has added over 17 points and almost nine rebounds per game.
Will Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko trust the undersized-but-ever-versatile Naz Hillmon to remain the primary frontcourt partner with Angel? Or, could the 6-foot-6 Madina Okot, who has flashed promise but also inexperience, be deployed to counter all Washington’s size?
Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty (8 p.m. ET, CBS)
If the Mystics falter, the winner of this Barclays Battle can grab the top spot in the Eastern Conference Cup standings.
Indiana is 1-0 after their aforementioned win over Atlanta; the New York Liberty defeated the Toronto Tempo on Wednesday for their first Cup win. The Fever’s scoring margin is +12, with the Liberty at +15.
Two of the league’s most scrutinized teams, both sides, Cup contest or not, will be aiming to keep questions about rotations, personnel, coaching and more at bay and build on positive momentum. The Liberty, once again, may be angling to do so without Sabrina Ionescu, who remains questionable with back soreness. Also beset by persistent back troubles, Caitlin Clark is probable.
But here, like in Atlanta, the outcome could be determined in the interior, although both of these teams’ bigs can operate comfortably away from the basket.
Jonquel Jones is coming off her best game of the season, posting a monster 22-point and 17-rebound double-double that included four made 3-pointers. Aliyah Boston, likewise, enjoyed her best 3-point showing of the season in Indy’s last game, draining 3-for-4 from downtown on her way to 19 points. With seven boards and three blocks, she also fortified the Fever defense.
Are the bigs, in fact, the best 3-point shooters on these two squads with guards known from firing away from downtown? Can Stewie, finally, find her 3-point stroke and join the fun?
