After two months of intense matchups, we have finally come to the Commissioner’s Cup Finals. Not to mention, both the championship-bound teams are everything that this gripping season of women’s basketball needed to heighten all the surrounding rage. The reigning Commissioner’s Cup champions Sabrina Ionescu and the New York Liberty will be defending their title against the up-and-coming Minnesota Lynx.

Hence, with the added motivation of a cash prize of $500,000, let the game begin! Here is your injury update, prediction, and the potential starting five for the night.

The growing circle of injuries

This WNBA season is not going as smoothly as one would hope. At least not for all. Last year’s finalists who will be hosting the Lynx will have a depleted roster today. In fact, two of their starters will not be featuring in Tuesday’s big game. One of them is Courtney Vandersloot. The veteran player recently lost her mother Jan Vandersloot after two years of fighting advanced multiple myeloma. However, while Vandersloot is back with the team now, she is still on the ‘Return to Play Conditioning’ list. Hence, her presence might be questionable and remains a game-time decision.

Another important player missing from the UBS Arena will be Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. The impactful forward and one of the best defensive players on the team is in a questionable state right now as far as today’s game is concerned. She is nursing her right knee and has already missed two wins over the Sparks for New York. She too remains a game-time decision. The Liberty will also not have Nyara Sabally on the bench as she nurses her back. She is out for the matchup.

The Minnesota Lynx is not on the worst side of the injury woes. But they will be missing Diamond Miller from their starting lineup. So far, she has only played three games this season due to an ankle injury. The only ray of hope for the Lynx is that she was moved to a game-time decision right before today’s matchup. With these players aside, let us see how today’s game is possibly going to go.

Sabrina Ionescu vs Napheesa Collier: Which Olympian will get the better of the other?

Sandy Brondello should be sending in her usual starters– Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Leonie Fiebich. In case Vandersloot does not wish to open the game, Kayla Thornton, who has decently substituted for the veteran, might join the rest. New York has been on fire over the past few weeks, winning 11 out of its last 12 games.

The Liberty is also adamant about showing its championship contention-worthiness. They are running on a brilliant 15-3 win-loss record. However, in their previous matchup with the Lynx, Napheesa Collier got the better of Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Impressing the entire basketball world, Minnesota has had an amazing 13-3 run. Their starters are expected to be Bridget Carleton, Alanna Smith, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Collier.

According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, New York stands a better chance of grabbing the win. They are standing at 68% and also have the advantage of home court. On the other hand, while Lynx will be traveling, they have won 4 of their 6 games on the road, showing their preparation for anything and everything. Only time will tell if the Commissioner’s Cup stays with Sabrina Ionescu and the Liberty or if the visitors will steal it away.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.