June isn’t simply the primary month of summer season; it’s additionally the beginning of Commissioner’s Cup play within the WNBA.
Issues kicked off with the Indiana Fever beating the Chicago Sky 71-70 on Saturday, and now now we have 4 video games scheduled for Sunday. Earlier than we preview the motion, here’s a fast rundown on how Commissioner’s Cup play works.
All video games performed from June 1 to June 13 shall be Commissioner’s Cup video games. Every group will play 5 video games, one towards every of its in-conference rivals. Groups will play three Commissioner’s Cup video games at residence and two on the highway, or vice versa. The group from every convention with the highest file in Commissioner’s Cup video games will compete for a $500,000 prize pool within the Commissioner’s Cup Championship on June 25 on the enviornment of the group with the very best file in Cup play.
Easy sufficient? Let’s get into the Sunday video games.
Is thrashing the Solar a Dream?
The Atlanta Dream shall be internet hosting the Connecticut Solar and trying to beat the Solar, one thing no group has completed thus far in 2024.
They’ll want Rhyne Howard to go bonkers and sure want a giant recreation from Allisha Grey to get the job completed. The Solar have had many shut video games, however have pulled victories out. If their forwards proceed to attain in double figures they usually get sufficient manufacturing from their guards, they need to come out of Atlanta with a win.
Embrace the mid
Not each recreation on the schedule shall be a traditional, and this matchup between the 2-5 Los Angeles Sparks and the 3-5 Phoenix Mercury is just not probably the most thrilling on paper.
Certain, Sparks’ rookies Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson are enjoyable to observe, and the Mercury have proficient gamers corresponding to Kahleah Copper and Diana Taurasi, however these groups simply aren’t deep sufficient prime to backside to win many video games.
Somebody should win on Sunday, and will probably be fascinating to see which aspect performs properly sufficient to get the consequence. Nonetheless, given their play to date, it’s unlikely both group is a contender for the Commissioner’s Cup.
Caitlin Clark performs once more
Welcome to the WNBA, Caitlin Clark! Again-to-backs and video games stacked on prime of one another till the season ends. The Fever simply received a tricky matchup versus the Sky, and their reward is enjoying the Liberty on the highway.
A win right here shall be powerful for Indiana as they’ve misplaced each occasions they’ve performed New York, and neither recreation has been significantly shut. For the Fever to tug off an upset, they’ll want an outstanding Clark scoring efficiency and Aliyah Boston and NaLyssa Smith to dominate the paint and seize many of the boards.
How good is Minnesota?
The Lynx have received 5 of their first seven video games and look able to contend. Napheesa Collier is a strolling double-double machine, and with Courtney Williams operating the offense, they’re buzzing like a well-oiled machine.
The Wings are at .500 however have had some high quality wins, and with Arike Ogunbowale as the very best scorer within the league, they’ll all the time have an opportunity to beat any prime group. Nonetheless, a victory on Sunday should come on the highway in Minnesota, and solely the defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces, have been ready to do this this yr.
Recreation data
Atlanta Dream (4-2) vs. Connecticut Solar (7-0)
When: Sunday, June 2 at 3 p.m. ET
The place: Gateway Heart Enviornment in School Park, GA
The way to watch: WNBA League Cross
Dream damage report: Jordin Canada (out; hand)
Solar damage report: none
Phoenix Mercury (3-5) vs. Los Angeles Sparks (2-5)
When: Sunday, June 2 at 6 p.m. ET
The place: Footprint Heart in Phoenix, AZ
The way to watch: WNBA League Cross
Mercury damage report: Rebecca Allen (out; concussion protocol), Brittney Griner (out; toe)
Sparks damage report: Azurá Stevens (out; left arm), Layshia Clarendon (out; concussion protocol)
New York Liberty (6-2) vs. Indiana Fever (2-8)
When: Sunday, June 2 at 7 p.m. ET
The place: Barclays Heart in Brooklyn, NY
The way to watch: NBA TV
Liberty damage report: Nyara Sabally (out;), Courtney Vandersloot (out; again)
Fever damage report: Temi Fagbenle (out; foot), Damiris Dantas (out; knee)
Minnesota Lynx (5-2) vs. Dallas Wings (3-3)
When: Sunday, June 2 at 7 p.m. ET
The place: Goal Heart in Minneapolis, MN
The way to watch: CBSSN
Lynx damage report: Diamond Miller (out; knee), Cecilia Zandalasini (day-to-day;)
Wings damage report: Natasha Howard(out; foot), Satou Sabally (out; shoulder)
