An evenly matched WNBA contest is on the cards on July 5 at the College Park Center. An inter-conference clash between the Atlanta Dream and the Dallas Wings will be one of the four high-octane fixtures scheduled for a fun Friday. While both the teams are currently holding their respective losing streaks with Dallas Wings having a 4-16 win-loss record and Atlanta Dream having a 7-11 win-loss record, the matchup would be intense to see who grabs that final victory.

However, it will be challenging for either given the injury troubles they have been facing. Let us have a look at the players ruled out for this matchup.

Injury status in the Dallas and Atlanta locker rooms

The hosts Dallas Wings are having a horrid time in the middle. They have broken their previous 11-game losing streak against the Commissioner’s Cup winners Minnesota Lynx. But, soon after, lost the next 3 in quick succession. One of the instrumental reasons behind their underperforming camp can be the team’s injury report.

Seemingly, an 8-week rehabilitation period is needed for their forward Maddy Siegrist. As it turns out, she needs to recover from a broken left index finger. At the same time, forward Satou Sabally’s off-season shoulder injury is keeping her out “until after the Olympics”. This revelation was put forth by head coach Latricia Trammell last month. In addition to this, their guard Jaelyn Brown is also not showing any signs of returning from her illness.

On the other hand, Atlanta will also have to make do without the services of three of its players. Their No.10 Rhyne Howard’s indefinite absence due to a left ankle injury which is a real cause of concern for the franchise. Similarly, guard Jordin Canada is forced to sit on the sidelines after she broke her right finger. The timeline for her comeback is estimated to be after the Paris Olympics break. Simultaneously, Aerial Power’s calf issues are deemed valid by the team’s medical team to rule her out of Friday’s contest.

It will be worth a watch which team holds the advantage with the available set of players in this enticing WNBA clash.

Wings vs Dream: Predictions and Starting 5

There is not much of a difference between the two, according to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor. While the visitors in Atlanta hold a 50.7% probability of ending up on the winning side, the Wings have a 49.3% chance of getting the desired result.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s opening line-up might include Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Nia Coffey, Tina Charles, Allisha Gray, and Haley Jones. Subsequently, they will be up against the starting combination of Arike Ogunbowale, Odyssey Sims, Teaira McCowan, Natasha Howard, and rookie Jacy Sheldon.

The fixture surely promises to be a thrilling one for the fans. While both WNBA teams will be eager to end their losing run, only one can make it a reality. It will be interesting to see which franchise is destined to survive.

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.