Sunday will feature three games in the WNBA, with the highlight undoubtedly being the matchup between the Phoenix Mercury (9-8) and the Indiana Fever (7-12) at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Why? I’ll give you two chances to guess, but you’ll probably only need one: Caitlin Clark and Diana Taurasi.
When Clark was leading Iowa through the 2024 NCAA Tournament, SportsCenter’s Scott Van Pelt asked Taursai what’s in store for players like Clark in the WNBA, and the White Mamba responded like a Mamba should, asserting, “Reality is coming….you look superhuman playing against some 18 years olds, but you’re going to come play with some grown women that have been playing professional basketball for a long time.”
And reality has come for Clark. Yes, she’s put up phenomenal numbers, averaging 16.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, but it hasn’t led to much winning, with the Fever currently at 7-12. As the two prepare to face each other for the first time in the W, their comments have been relatively tame. Clark stated, “It’s kind of like a dream come true,” when asked during media availability about playing the legend, and Taursai kept it short and sweet, saying, “Yeah, it’ll be fun.”
Those quotations may not indicate much of anything, but it will be interesting to see how much Clark talks when she hits shots and how the competitor in Taurasi responds. I can’t wait to see the jawing, hard fouls and great basketball.
Liberty, Lynx favored in Sunday’s other showdowns
The meeting between the Fever and the Mercury might be the main event, but first, we have the Atlanta Dream (7-9) taking on the the New York Liberty (15-3) at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN. Excluding the Commissioner’s Cup Championship game (which does not count towards a team’s regular-season record), the Liberty are on a three-game winning streak, sitting atop the standings and at home versus the Dream. So, obviously, they will be favored to win.
An already uphill battle for Atlanta is even tougher with Rhyne Howard still out with a left ankle injury. A win will only happen if Allisha Gray has a monster game.
At the same time as the Fever-Mercury game, the Chicago Sky (6-10) will play the Minnesota Lynx (13-4) on ESPN3. This contest will feature a Lynx team fresh off a defeat against the Dallas Wings and a Sky team fighting to protect their home court and their eighth spot in the standings. Minnesota will be favored in this matchup, but with Angel Reese and Chennedy Carter on the other side and the Sky at home, expect it to be a tough matchup for the Lynx.
Game information
New York Liberty (15-3) vs. Atlanta Dream (7-9)
When: Sunday, June 30 at 1 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
How to watch: ESPN
Liberty injury report: Nyara Sabally (out; back)
Dream injury report: Rhyne Howard (out; left ankle)
Chicago Sky (6-10) vs. Minnesota Lynx (13-4)
When: Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL
How to watch: ESPN 3
Sky injury report: Elizabeth Williams (out; knee)
Lynx injury report: Napheesa Collier (probable; right wrist)
Phoenix Mercury (9-8) vs. Indiana Fever (7-12)
When: Sunday, June 30 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ
How to watch: ESPN
Mercury injury report: none
Fever injury report: Temi Fagbenle (questionable; right thumb)