WNBA: Aces, Fever headline Commissioner’s Cup action

The WNBA schedule is jam-packed on Friday with four Commissioner’s Cup games on deck. Every Western Conference team will play, and our sole matchup out East is an intriguing one with the Indiana Fever playing the Washington Mystics.

Let’s jump into Friday’s action and see where each team is in the Commissioner’s Cup standings.

Fever are still alive

A perfect matchup for the Fever is happening on Friday when they face the winless Mystics. The team from the District is 0-10, and the Fever, while struggling overall, are .500 in the Commissioner’s Cup standings.

The Caitlin Clark-led team needs to keep winning and get some help to jump up in the Cup standings. If they win on Friday, they will keep their hopes alive of making it out of the East.

Is a Storm coming to Las Vegas?

This game is a great matchup on paper. Seattle is stacked with talents like Jewell Loyd and Nneka Ogwumike, and the Aces are the Aces. Las Vegas hasn’t looked like the unstoppable juggernaut this year, but they are still difficult to beat, as A’ja Wilson demonstrated during their most recent win against the Wings when she scored 36 points.

Both teams began Commissioner’s Cup action undefeated at 1-0, so one will drop in the standings after this contest.

Can the Sparks win?

Los Angeles is struggling offensively and has dropped both Commissioner’s Cup games. It is still mathematically in the competition, but a defeat versus Dallas would end its hopes of making it out of the West.

The Wings have struggled to win games and have started 3-5 overall, but they have too much firepower compared to the Sparks. Los Angeles winning will be an uphill battle, even at home.

Are the Lynx back?

Minnesota is 2-0 and atop the Western Conference Commissioner’s Cup standings, while Phoenix split its first two games. The Mercury will be at home, so expect a competitive game from Diana Taurasi and company, but Napheesa Collier and the Lynx are likely to remain undefeated, given how well they’ve played at the start of this season.

Game information

Washington Mystics (0-10, 0-2) vs. Indiana Fever (2-9, 1-1)

When: Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET

Where: Capital One Arena in Washington, DC

How to watch: ION

Mystics injury report: Brittney Sykes (out; ankle), Shakira Austin (out; hip)

Fever injury report: Damiris Dantas (out; knee), Temi Fagbenle (out; foot)

Las Vegas Aces (5-2, 1-0) vs. Seattle Storm (6-3, 1-0)

When: Friday, June 7 at 10 p.m. ET

Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, NV