Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx: Starting lineups and depth charts | 2024 WNBA Season (Aug. 28)

The Phoenix Mercury and the Minnesota Lynx will duke it out on Wednesday in a clash of WNBA’s contenders. The game will also pit two of the league's best scorers, Mercury’s Kahleah Cooper and Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The third-seed Lynx and sixth-seed Mercury are on pace to be a playoff matchup, if the regular season is to end today, adding intrigue for Wednesday’s game.

The Lynx enter with a 22-8 record and a WNBA-best six-game winning streak. They have won eight of their last 10 games and hold an 8-5 record in road games. Meanwhile, the Mercury are one game above .500 with a 16-15 record. They have 5-5 in their last 10 games and have lost their previous outing against the Atlanta Dream.

Both teams need a win as the season nears its final stretch games and the playoff positioning heats up.

Phoenix Mercury vs. Minnesota Lynx: Starting lineups and depth charts

Phoenix Mercury starting lineup and depth chart

The Phoenix Mercury is expected to field their veteran-laden starting lineup consisting of Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Cooper, Brittney Griner, Natasha Cloud, and Rebecca Allen. Nate Tibbetts coaches them.

Guards Forwards Centers Natasha Cloud Rebecca Allen Brittney Griner Sophia Cunningham Kahleah Cooper Charisma Osborne Mikiah Herbert Harrigan Sug Sutton Natasha Mack Diana Taurasi

Minnesota Lynx starting lineup and depth chart

Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is likely starting with Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, Napheese Collier, Bridget Carleton, and Alana Smith for their game versus the Mercury.

Guard Forward Center Kayla McBride Napheesa Collier Alanna Smith Courtney Williams Bridget Carleton Napheesa Collier Bridget Carleton Alanna Smith Myisha Hines-Allen Natisha Hiedeman Myisha Hines-Allen Dorkha Juhasz Diamond Miller Diamond Miller Cecilia Zandalasini Dorkha Juhasz Alissa Pili

Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury 2024 WNBA regular season: Preview

Riding on their second six-game winning run this season, the Lynx aim to extend their hot streak. A Minnesota win would propel them to the second seed, tying the winning percentage of the Connecticut Sun, who boast a 22-7 record.

On the other hand, the Mercury look to pick up a win with the hopes of sneaking into the fifth seed, occupied by the defending champions Las Vegas Aces. A victory for the Mercury would tie their season series with the Lynx at 2-2.

The Lynx are expected to lean on their defense to contain Mercury’s stars like Taurasi, Cooper and Griner. The Lynx gave up the second-least points per game at 75.6.

Napphesa Collier will also be a marked player for Connecticut as she is the team's leader with 21.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 2.1 spg.

Meanwhile, the Lynx will have to deal with Mercury's Brittney Griner, who averages 18.5 ppg, a team-leading 6.4 rpg and 1.7 bpg this season.

Along with Griner, Kahleah Cooper will be Phoenix's top offensive weapon as she norms 22.6 ppg to lead the team in scoring.