We’ve 4 Commissioner’s Cup video games on deck within the WNBA on Sunday. After besting the beforehand undefeated Connecticut Solar on Saturday, the New York Liberty have already got secured their spot because the Jap Convention consultant within the Commissioner’s Cup Championship on June 25. The Western Convention consultant, in distinction, may be very a lot up within the air.
Right here’s what’s at stake on Sunday:
New York can go excellent
Winners of six-straight video games, the Liberty are on a tear. In the event that they defeat the winless Mystics on Sunday, they’re going to full their Commissioner’s Cup video games with a 5-0 sweep. Having already assured themselves a possibility to defend their Commissioner’s Cup championship, one other win would ship a transparent message that they’re the staff to beat within the East.
It is onerous to think about Washington successful this recreation, however that will be an unimaginable story, given how poorly they’ve began this season.
Is Phoenix again?
With Brittney Griner returning to the staff, Diana Taurasi nonetheless being the White Mamba and Kahleah Copper enjoying the most effective basketball of her profession, the Mercury is perhaps all the best way again.
Does that imply they will win all of it? Too quickly to inform, nevertheless it does imply they will nonetheless come out of the Western Convention in Commissioner’s Cup play, so long as they win on Sunday and Seattle drops a recreation or two.
To assist their trigger, they’re going to need to beat Dallas, who’ve been aggressive of their video games however are winless on this competitors. The Wings will probably be at dwelling, so possibly they will break their shedding streak and spoil the Mercury’s possibilities of advancing to Commissioner’s Cup Championship.
Sport of the day
Heading into this recreation, the Storm are 2-0 in Cup play, whereas the Lynx are 2-1. If the Storm win, they continue to be in command of their Commissioner’s Cup future. But when the Lynx prevail, instantly the West is large open and several other groups may have an opportunity to symbolize the convention.
The Lynx are at dwelling, and an enormous Napheesa Collier recreation will probably be wanted to guard dwelling court docket and safe the outcome. The Storm have to love their odds, given how wholesome they’re and the way properly the trio of Jewell Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith have come collectively.
On paper, these groups are equals to one another, and watching them play in a high-stakes recreation this early on within the yr is what the Commissioner’s Cup is all about
Can Las Vegas get it collectively?
What’s improper with the Aces? They’re 5-3 on the season, 1-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play and not appear like gods. As an alternative, they appear… human, beatable.
Now, I do not assume which means the Sparks can beat them, however it will likely be entertaining to see the younger LA staff take a look at themselves towards the champs. Sadly, for the Sparks, I anticipate the Aces to throw chilly water on the people who find themselves skeptical that they’re nonetheless the staff to beat. If, one way or the other, Las Vegas loses, conversations will should be had.
Sport data
New York Liberty (10-2, 4-0) vs. Washington Mystics (0-11, 0-3)
When: Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. ET
The place: Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, NY
How you can watch: WNBA League Cross
Liberty damage report: Courtney Vandersloot (out; private causes), Nyara Sabally (out; again)
Mystics damage report: Shakira Austin (out; hip), Brittney Sykes (out; ankle)
Dallas Wings (3-6, 0-3) vs. Phoenix Mercury (5-6, 2-1)
When: Sunday, June 9 at 4 p.m. ET
The place: School Park Middle in Arlington, TX
How you can watch: WNBA League Cross
Wings damage report: Natasha Howard (out; foot), Satou Sabally (out; shoulder), Jaelyn Brown (out; sickness)
Mercury damage report: none
Minnesota Lynx (7-3, 2-1) vs. Seattle Storm (7-3, 2-0)
When: Sunday, June 9 at 7 p.m. ET
The place: Goal Middle in Minneapolis, MN
How you can watch: WNBA League Cross
Lynx damage report: Diamond Miller (out; knee)
Storm damage report: none
Los Angeles Sparks (3-7, 1-2) vs. Las Vegas Aces (5-3, 1-1)
When: Sunday, June 9 at 9 p.m. ET
The place: Crypto.com Enviornment in Los Angeles, CA
How you can watch: WNBA League Cross
Sparks damage report: Azura Stevens (out; arm)
Aces damage report: Kierstan Bell (out; leg), Chelsea Grey (out; leg), Jackie Younger (out; sickness)
