WNBA Player News

When listing impact perimeter defenders, getting through many names before landing on Rivers is hard. At 6-foot-1, the former 2021 Gatorade National Player of the Year is an impressive athlete with the length to consistently make life tough on opposing guards. She never came around as an efficient scorer in her lone season at South Carolina or the following three at NC State. However, she still earned first-team All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors during her junior and senior seasons for the Wolfpack. Rivers posted averages this season of 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game while leading NC State in assists, blocks, and defensive rebounds. Her versatility on both ends of the floor should serve the Sun well, as they’re in rebuilding mode after losing Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner during the offseason. Rivers was Connecticut’s second first-round pick, following LSU’s Aneesah Morrow.

Rivers recently rejoined the Suns after spending time away from the team following her mother’s passing in late April. The first-round pick out of NC State was on the bench for Sunday’s season-opening loss to the Mystics, and her absence from the injury report indicates that Rivers will be available on Tuesday. Those competing in fantasy leagues should not expect too much immediately regarding Rivers’ playing time, but she should figure prominently in head coach Rachid Meziane’s plans as the season progresses.

After spraining her right ankle during Indiana’s preseason finale on May 10, Cunningham did not play in Saturday’s rout of the Sky. Her return would likely expand the Fever rotation, with fellow guards Lexie Hull and Sydney Colson potentially playing fewer minutes. While Hull played 23 minutes on Saturday, Colson logged 11 as Caitlin Clark’s primary backup.

Center Murjanatu Musa, who was not with the Mercury for training camp as she satisfied her obligation to French club Targes Gespe Bigorre, has been activated. Due to this transaction, the Mercury needed to free up a roster spot, hence the decision to waive Prince. The veteran forward played 22 minutes in Phoenix’s season-opening win over Seattle, finishing with two points, eight rebounds and one assist. Phoenix plays its next game against the Sparks on Wednesday.

Already playing without Rae Burrell (leg), who will miss 6-8 weeks after going down during Friday’s season opener, the Sparks lost Jackson at the end of the third quarter on Sunday. The second-year forward took a shot to the mouth and remained prone on the court for a few minutes before walking back to the bench. Jackson did not return during the final period, with rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker (6/3/1/1/1 with one three-pointer in 24 minutes) taking on more minutes. The Sparks are off until Wednesday; hopefully, Jackson will be healthy enough to play. If not, Barker’s role will be significant to a team already down Burrell and Cameron Brink, who is still recovering from the knee injury that ended her rookie season early.

Having torched the Valkyries on Friday, Plum ran into more resistance as the Sparks hosted last season’s runners-up in Sunday’s home opener. While she did not have her best day shooting the basketball, fantasy managers with Plum rostered should not be concerned. Minnesota is once again one of the league’s best teams, so this was bound to be a challenging matchup. Plum will look to rebound on Wednesday when the Sparks begin a three-game week with a matchup against the Mercury.

Limited to 11 points in Friday’s season-opening win over the Valkyries, Stevens stepped things up offensively on Sunday. She made four of her seven three-point attempts against the Lynx, with the 21 points being the most the veteran center has scored in a game since July 16, 2024, when she scored 24 in a game against Seattle. Stevens averages 9.4 points per game for her career, so days like Sunday have not been the norm. However, the combination of this start and the Sparks playing three games next week will raise her fantasy profile.

Two games, two double-doubles for Hamby, who had another efficient effort on Sunday. She also made some personal history, passing Alana Beard to move into eighth on the Sparks’ all-time rebound list. While Hamby did not record any defensive stats against the Lynx, that should not be a common occurrence this season. The Sparks have one of the better schedules for next week, as they’ll play three games starting with the Mercury on Wednesday.

Alanna Smith’s return from a quad injury pushed Shepard to the bench on Sunday after starting Friday’s season opener. However, her playing time increased, with Shepard logging 30 minutes after playing 29 two days prior. And the former Notre Dame standout had another productive outing, recording a double-double and dishing out a few assists. The minutes split will shift as Smith gets back to playing without restrictions, but Shepard will have added value in the short term.

Williams did not have a good evening shooting the basketball, but the veteran guard proved valuable in other ways. She led the Lynx in assists and did not commit a turnover, and Williams was also effective as a rebounder. Through two games, Williams has recorded 19 assists and no turnovers. If she can remain efficient as a playmaker, that would help Minnesota contend for a championship this season after falling one win short of the title in 2024.

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.