Alissa

Pili

One week after signing her third seven-day contract, Pili has agreed to a deal that will keep her with the Sparks for the rest of the season. She’s appeared in just one game for Los Angeles, and it would likely take an injury to one of the team’s consistent frontcourt performers for Pili to play rotation minutes before the end of the season.

Having released Pili after her first seven-day contract ran its course, the Sparks signed her to a second deal hours before Sunday’s game against the Storm. Pili has only appeared in one game since joining the franchise, and there should not be much change during this second seven-day stint.

One week after agreeing to a seven-day contract with the Sparks, Pili has been released. The 2024 first-round pick appeared in one game for Los Angeles, playing three minutes off the bench in Saturday’s loss to the Valkyries.

Pili has been a free agent since the Lynx waived the 2024 first-round pick in mid-July. With Sunday’s transaction, she reunites with Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts, Pili’s head coach for two seasons at the University of Utah. In 14 games with the Lynx, Pili averaged 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.9 minutes. She may not impact fantasy basketball, but this is an opportunity for Pili to establish herself as a WNBA player.

Pili, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft, could not carve out a consistent role for herself in two seasons with the Lynx. In 14 appearances off the bench this season, the forward averaged 1.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.9 minutes per game. Sunday is the final day teams can waive players on unprotected contracts before their salaries for the remainder of the season become guaranteed. Also, this move gives Minnesota additional roster flexibility.

McConnell left the game against the Lynx on Tuesday night with 1:43 left in the fourth quarter. After getting a steal and driving the ball the other way with 1:46 left in the fourth, McConnell was tripped up going the other way and banged her right knee against Lynx forward Alissa Pili. McConnell held onto her knee in pain and as a result had to be carried off the floor. The Mercury announced earlier on Tuesday that they signed McConnell to a rest of the season contract after previously waiving guard Sevgi Uzun. If this injury is as serious as it looked, Phoenix will have to rely upon more minutes from facilitating wing Haley Jones coming off the bench.

Initially questionable for Friday’s game, the Lynx have downgraded Collier to doubtful. Her absence would leave a noticeable void in the Lynx lineup, meaning starters Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith will have to shoulder more of the offensive workload. As for the spot in the starting lineup, Jessica Shepard and Alissa Pili are potential replacements if Collier cannot play.

The undefeated Lynx could be without their best player on Friday, as Collier is questionable. Last season’s MVP runner-up has been one of the best performers in fantasy basketball, and her absence would leave a sizable hole in the Lynx lineup. Jessica Shepard and Alissa Pili would figure more prominently in the rotation if Collier cannot play, with the former offering a higher fantasy ceiling.

Back in the Lynx starting lineup after missing Friday’s opener due to a quad injury, Smith’s playing time was limited on Sunday. However, she made the most of her opportunities, shooting 70 percent from the field and finishing one steal shy of a complete stat line. Thanks to the play of Jessica Shepard, who recorded a double-double off the bench after starting on Friday, the Lynx did not have to place too much responsibility on Smith’s plate against the Sparks. With Smith back in the lineup, Alissa Pili was a DNP-CD after logging 11 minutes off the bench on Friday.

Smith, who did not play in Friday’s season-opening victory over the Wings, was initially questionable for Sunday’s game. If she’s cleared to play, the Lynx will likely bump Jessica Shepard to the bench. Against Dallas, Shepard played 29 minutes and finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one steal. Smith’s return would also impact Alissa Pili, who logged 11 minutes off the bench on Friday.