WNBA’s week ahead: The league’s top two teams go head-to-head

The WNBA season continues this week with an action-packed slate of games. 

Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces

Tuesday, May 31 @ 9 p.m. ET; Thursday, June 2 @ 10 p.m. ET

There are two meetings this week for the two top teams in the league. Connecticut leads the East while Las Vegas leads the West in what could be a preview of the Commissioner’s Cup final – or even the WNBA Finals. 

The Sun have won all but two games, dropping one to the Liberty and one to Dallas. They’ve won the past two, including a 79-71 win over the Mystics. Now without Jasmine Thomas for the season due to an ACL tear, the team will have to continue to rely on its depth – particularly against an Aces team that has rattled off six straight wins. 

Las Vegas last took home a 83-76 win over the defending champion Chicago Sky, with all five starters scoring in double digits. A’ja Wilson continues to be a high-scoring threat while Jackie Young has been having a great start to the season and is on pace to set career highs in multiple categories.

Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm

Friday, June 3 @ 10 p.m. ET

Each team currently stands at 5-3. While Dallas has the opportunity to go one up on Seattle on Tuesday, the Wings and Storm will face off on Friday in a big Western Conference matchup.

While the Storm have rattled off four straight for the second-best streak in the league, Dallas is coming off of a loss to Connecticut. But the Wings have won one against the Sun, with Marina Mabrey and Allisha Gray showcasing their scoring ability.

Seattle had a bit of a rough start to the season but has responded well, going from 1-3 to 5-3. Jewell Loyd has been a major piece of the turnaround, dropping 22 and 21 points in the last two games, respectively. So far on the season, she’s averaging a career-best 18.4 points per game alongside 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever

Tuesday, May 31 @ 7 p.m. ET

After getting their first win under interim head coach Carlos Knox, the Indiana Fever will face another test in the Washington Mystics, who are second in the Eastern Conference. 

Kelsey Mitchell continues to be an offensive stalwart for Indiana, averaging 19.0 points per game on the season. NaLyssa Smith is another key piece for the Fever and will go up against fellow rookie Shakira Austin. 

The Mystics took the first matchup between the two teams during the season opener 84-70. Since then, the Mystics have lost just three games and won a key matchup over the Las Vegas Aces – Vegas’ only loss of the season.

Full Schedule:

• Washington Mystics vs. Indiana Fever: Tuesday, May 31 @ 7 p.m.
• Phoenix Mercury vs. Chicago Sky: Tuesday, May 31 @ 7 p.m.
• Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces: Tuesday, May 31 @ 9 p.m.
• Dallas Wings vs. Los Angeles Sparks: Tuesday, May 31 @ 10:30 p.m.
• Minnesota Lynx vs. Atlanta Dream: Wednesday, June 1 @ 7 p.m.
• Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty: Wednesday, June 1 @ 7 p.m.
• Connecticut Sun vs. Las Vegas Aces: Thursday, June 2 @ 10 p.m.
• New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics: Friday, June 3 @ 7 p.m.
• Chicago Sky vs. Atlanta Dream: Friday, June 3 @ 7:30 p.m.
• Connecticut Sun vs. Phoenix Mercury: Friday, June 3 @ 10 p.m.
• Dallas Wings vs. Seattle Storm: Friday, June 3 @ 10 p.m.
• Minnesota Lynx vs. New York Liberty: Sunday, June 5 @ 2 p.m.
• Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream: Sunday, June 5 @ 3 p..
• Los Angeles Sparks vs. Phoenix Mercury: Sunday, June 5 @ 6 p.m.
• Dallas Wings vs. Las Vegas Aces: Sunday, June 5 @ 6 p.m.
• Connecticut Sun vs. Seattle Storm: Sunday, June 5 @ 6 p.m.
• Washington Mystics vs. Chicago Sky: Sunday, June 5 @ 7 p.m.