We have four Commissioner’s Cup games on deck in the WNBA on Sunday. After besting the previously undefeated Connecticut Sun on Saturday, the New York Liberty already have secured their spot as the Eastern Conference representative in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship on June 25. The Western Conference representative, in contrast, is very much up in the air.
Here’s what’s at stake on Sunday:
New York can go perfect
Winners of six-straight games, the Liberty are on a tear. If they defeat the winless Mystics on Sunday, they’ll complete their Commissioner’s Cup games with a 5-0 sweep. Having already guaranteed themselves an opportunity to defend their Commissioner’s Cup championship, another win would send a clear message that they are the team to beat in the East.
It’s hard to imagine Washington winning this game, but that would be an incredible story, given how poorly they’ve started this season.
Is Phoenix back?
With Brittney Griner returning to the team, Diana Taurasi still being the White Mamba and Kahleah Copper playing the best basketball of her career, the Mercury might be all the way back.
Does that mean they can win it all? Too soon to tell, but it does mean they can still come out of the Western Conference in Commissioner’s Cup play, as long as they win on Sunday and Seattle drops a game or two.
To help their cause, they’ll have to beat Dallas, who have been competitive in their games but are winless in this competition. The Wings will be at home, so maybe they can break their losing streak and spoil the Mercury’s chances of advancing to Commissioner’s Cup Championship.
Game of the day
Heading into this game, the Storm are 2-0 in Cup play, while the Lynx are 2-1. If the Storm win, they remain in control of their Commissioner’s Cup destiny. But if the Lynx prevail, suddenly the West is wide open and several teams will have a chance to represent the conference.
The Lynx are at home, and a big Napheesa Collier game will be needed to protect home court and secure the result. The Storm have to like their odds, given how healthy they are and how well the trio of Jewell Loyd, Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith have come together.
On paper, these teams are equals to each other, and watching them play in a high-stakes game this early on in the year is what the Commissioner’s Cup is all about
Can Las Vegas get it together?
What’s wrong with the Aces? They are 5-3 on the season, 1-1 in Commissioner’s Cup play and no longer look like gods. Instead, they look… human, beatable.
Now, I don’t think that means the Sparks can beat them, but it will be entertaining to see the young LA team test themselves against the champs. Unfortunately, for the Sparks, I expect the Aces to throw cold water on the people who are skeptical that they are still the team to beat. If, somehow, Las Vegas loses, conversations will need to be had.
Game information
New York Liberty (10-2, 4-0) vs. Washington Mystics (0-11, 0-3)
When: Sunday, June 9 at 3 p.m. ET
Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
How to watch: WNBA League Pass
Liberty injury report: Courtney Vandersloot (out; personal reasons), Nyara Sabally (out; back)
Mystics injury 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
Where: College Park Center in Arlington, TX
How to watch: WNBA League Pass
Wings injury report: Natasha Howard (out; foot), Satou Sabally (out; shoulder), Jaelyn Brown (out; illness)
Mercury injury report: none
Minnesota Lynx (7-3, 2-1) vs. Seattle Storm (7-3, 2-0)
When: Sunday, June 9 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN
How to watch: WNBA League Pass
Lynx injury report: Diamond Miller (out; knee)
Storm injury 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
Where: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA
How to watch: WNBA League Pass
Sparks injury report: Azura Stevens (out; arm)
Aces injury report: Kierstan Bell (out; leg), Chelsea Gray (out; leg), Jackie Young (out; illness)