WNBA Player News

Edwards made her season debut on Sunday after missing the first four games with a lower back contusion. As expected, the second-year forward was not asked to take on a full workload against the Mercury, but she was effective as a rebounder and the shooting percentages were good. Starting center Stefanie Dolson only played 16 minutes, finishing with two points (1-of-6 FGs), one rebound and one assist, while Sika Koné (four points and five rebounds) logged nine minutes off the bench. As Edwards shakes off the rust, look for her to play starters’ minutes, which would come at the expense of Dolson and Koné.

The Walnut Creek, California native will get to play a WNBA game in the Bay Area for the first time on Wednesday. The good news for Ionescu and the Liberty is that the neck issue that kept her out of Sunday’s loss to the Storm has subsided, and she’ll be active. Ionescu’s return means Marine Johannes will head to the bench, where her streaming value takes a hit in fantasy leagues.

Indiana’s decision to waive DeWanna Bonner on Wednesday freed up a roster spot, and it did not take long for the team to fill the void. McDonald is back after a successful three-game stint with the Fever earlier this season, as the team was without Caitlin Clark due to a strained quad. In those three appearances, McDonald averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals in just over 25 minutes per game. With Clark being healthy, McDonald’s role will not be the same, but she’ll provide defense and playmaking off the bench when the Fever star is on the bench.

Bonner, a six-time All-Star, agreed to a deal with the Fever in February. The hope was that the veteran wing would help strengthen a roster led by Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston; however, on the court, the partnership appeared awkward from the start. After starting Indiana’s first three games of the season, Bonner was moved to the bench, and her production was limited before leaving the team for personal reasons after a June 10 loss to the Dream. Lexie Hull replaced her in the starting lineup and most recently recorded her first career double-double in a June 24 win over the Storm. If Bonner clears waivers, she’ll be free to sign with any team as an unrestricted free agent. According to Front Office Sports’ Annie Costabile, teams have been asked not to claim Bonner, who hopes to sign with the Mercury once she clears waivers.

After playing for Slovenia in EuroBasket, Shepard returned to the WNBA from her stint abroad and started in place of Napheesa Collier, who has been sidelined with a back injury. She was incredibly active on the glass, picking up nine rebounds alone in the first quarter. Her help defense, in particular on rookie Kiki Iriafen, stood out. Shepard was often there in the right spot at the right time to help Alanna Smith when she got beat on a drive. While she played very well in her first game back, she struggled to hit free throws, missing five of them on Tuesday night.

Without Brittney Sykes (leg) available on Tuesday night, one of the Mystics guards had to step up, and that was Sutton. While her field goal percentage didn’t scream the same efficiency that Sykes typically does, Sutton’s scores were in pivotal moments. She made a couple of threes in situations that helped the Mystics extend their lead. She had four steals, with the final two resulting in scores on the other end. With 32 seconds remaining in regulation and the game tied at 64, Sutton scored the winning basket at the other end off a turnover she created while guarding Lynx point guard Courtney Williams.

Ever since Napheesa Collier has been out with a back injury, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve has found minutes for Kliundikova. Before Jessica Shepard returned, Kliundikova got a start, but on Tuesday night she had over 13 productive minutes off the bench. She functioned as a spacer, hitting a 15-footer baseline jumper and a wide open three that Shakira Austin neglected to come out and contest. Have the Lynx figured out their size issue off the bench? Kliundikova stands at 6'4, and her minutes have so far looked promising.

While Iriafen struggled earlier to finish over the outstretched arms of Alanna Smith, one of the premier rim protectors in the league, the rookie found her way in the second quarter scoring in transition and during opportunities when the Lynx post defense wasn’t focused on her. When the Mystics were down 61-60 with over five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Sonia Citron found Iriafen for a 16-footer in the short corner to give the Mystics back the lead. This was Iriafen’s first double-double since May 25, the Mystics’ fifth game of the season against the Mercury, and her fifth double-double on the season overall.

Ever since Courtney Vandersloot went down and tore her ACL, Reese has taken it upon herself to play more like a point-forward, and the results for Reese have paid off. She facilitated to six different teammates in Kamilla Cardoso, Elizabeth Williams, Ariel Atkins, Michaela Onyenwere, Rebecca Allen and Rachel Banham. Unleashing Reese’s passing has made her offense much more efficient. She’s not forcing as many tough shots near the basket, but instead is getting better looks on cutting actions and is being screened for. She went 4-for-4 in the third quarter on a couple of putbacks for teammates in addition to a couple of field goals where she had the advantage and could use her athleticism to score.

Atkins wasn’t very efficient scoring the ball, but her playmaking especially to Kamilla Cardoso down the stretch was impressive. She found Cardoso in an advantageous position on the block, but then also found her on the move while the Sky center was matched up against much smaller Sparks defenders. Atkins fouled out with 54 seconds left in regulation after spending all evening primarily guarding Kelsey Plum, who had a difficult time making her shots, especially from deep.

Hamby had her way with Kamilla Cardoso at the rim, driving and scoring often while attacking the Sky’s 6'7 center. But when backup center Elizabeth Williams — a two-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection — checked in, Hamby’s looks at the rim became much tougher. The irony here was that Hamby’s most open looks, her three shots from deep, didn’t fall. Cardoso was late to each closeout on the perimeter, but Hamby just missed each one. Like Rickea Jackson, Hamby made sure she was playmaking at a high level as she found Azurá Stevens on two of her four threes in addition to finding Jackson for two of her made shots.