Bria

Hartley

Due to a left knee injury, Mabrey is not guaranteed to be available for the first game of Connecticut’s road trip. If she cannot play, that would be a significant loss for the Sun to deal with, as the veteran guard is the team’s second-leading scorer. Either Bria Hartley or Lindsay Allen would likely move into the starting lineup if Mabrey sits.

Sun head coach Rachid Meziane has made a change to his starting lineup, replacing Olivia Nelson-Ododa with Peters. This will be Peters’ second start of the season, the first coming on June 8 against the Mystics. She only played 14 minutes in that contest and has played at least 20 minutes in just three of her 11 appearances. Fantasy managers should not expect Peters to receive too much of a boost, despite the lineup change. The other change to Connecticut’s lineup is Rivers, who is back in the starting five with Bria Hartley being bumped to the bench. Jacy Sheldon and Marina Mabrey will initiate the offense for the Sun.

Allen made her season debut Sunday afternoon, serving as Bria Hartley’s backup. Due to the amount of time missed, Allen’s lack of production and playing time aren’t surprising. Hartley played 27 minutes on Sunday, finishing with six points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. Given how busy the Sun will be next week, as they play four games, Allen’s playing time may not increase much as she works her way back from Achilles and hamstring injuries.

Allen is officially available to make her season debut, giving the Sun much-needed depth at point guard. Bria Hartley has served as the starter recently, but her production has not been consistent enough to impact most fantasy leagues. Allen’s availability means Hartley’s playing time will decrease, even if she remains in the starting lineup on Sunday.

At long last, Allen is on track to make her season debut. The veteran point guard has missed time with hamstring and Achilles tendon injuries. Bria Hartley has shouldered the point guard responsibilities recently due to Allen’s absence, and her playing time will likely take a significant hit. Rostered in just over four percent of ESPN fantasy leagues, Hartley’s production has not been consistent enough to merit being slotted into lineups.

Allen will miss another game due to injury, this time because of a sore left Achilles tendon. Bria Hartley will remain in the starting lineup, but the biggest beneficiary from Allen’s absence has been Marina Mabrey. The basketball has been in her hands even more with Allen out, with the veteran guard most recently scoring 34 points in Friday’s win over the Dream.

While her previous absences have been due to a hamstring injury, Allen is now on the injury report due to her right Achilles tendon. Veteran point guard Bria Hartley started Friday’s win over the Dream, but Allen’s absence has also resulted in more playmaking opportunities for Marina Mabrey. Given Mabrey’s scoring prowess, as she dropped a season-high 34 points on Atlanta, her fantasy ceiling has been raised the most by Allen’s absence.

Previously listed as questionable due to a leg injury, Hartley suited up for the Sun on Friday and made significant contributions in their second win of the season. The veteran guard didn’t electrify with her scoring, but did tie a season-high in rebounds and post a season-high in assists in what was an all-around effort on offense. It’s encouraging that Hartley contributed in the victory after failing to make a three-pointer for the first time all season. Her starting role could be solidified so long as she remains healthy.

The Sun will have their veteran guard in the starting lineup on Friday as they look to rebound from a 48-point loss to the defending champion Liberty in their most recent game. Hartley has started Connecticut’s last couple of games and served as a reliable ball-handler and three-point shooter. Her resurgence, after previously not having logged any WNBA minutes since the 2022 season, has been a feel-good story in what’s been a challenging start to the season for the Sun. Hartley is averaging 7.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game.