Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx: Injury Report, Starting-5, Prediction, and More On Tonight’s WNBA Preview

It is the battle of the powerhouses at the Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx game. Both teams prepare to lock horns in a clash that could define the tone of the postseason. The similarities between these two juggernauts are striking. Both squads are led by MVP frontrunners in A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier. Both have veteran coaches whose strategies have shaped championship runs. And both have faced the New York Liberty in back-to-back Finals. But the past won’t matter when they step on the floor on Thursday. The focus now is on who can stand tallest when it counts.

Minnesota has already secured the No. 1 seed, capping a league-best 32–8 season and locking up home-court advantage. Las Vegas, on the other hand, has caught fire at the perfect time. Riding a franchise-record 12-game winning streak, they are pushing hard to secure the No. 2 spot. Add in the MVP race, where Wilson and Collier are going head-to-head not just for stats but for legacy, and you have the recipe for a showdown that promises fireworks on both ends of the floor. But before that, let’s take a look at the injury report and projected starting five for both teams.

Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx: Where to watch

Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM PST/10:00 PM EST

Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV

TV: Vegas 34 and FanDuel Sports Network – North

Streaming: WNBA League Pass and Amazon Prime US

Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx Injury Report

A key player from Lynx will be missing this heated matchup. However, both teams are expected to roll out their familiar starting five in this game.

Las Vegas Aces

• Cheyenne Parker-Tyus: Out (Not injury-related)

Parker-Tyus has missed the 2025 regular season due to the birth of her child. However, she is eyeing a return to the squad for the playoffs this year. She averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds last season. 

Minnesota Lynx

• DiJonai Carrington: Out (Shoulder injury)

Carrington injured her left shoulder during their game against Dallas. It was the same shoulder injury that flared up, which she had incurred during her time with the Wings. In her 11 games with the Lynx, she was averaging 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Predicted Starting Lineup

Las Vegas Aces

• A’ja Wilson
• NaLyssa Smith
• Kierstan Bell
• Chelsea Gray
• Jackie Young

Minnesota Lynx

• Napheesa Collier
• Bridget Carleton
• Alanna Smith
• Kayla McBride
• Courtney Williams

Las Vegas Aces vs Minnesota Lynx: Who will emerge victorious?

Winning this game will mean far more than just another victory for either side. For the Aces, it is a chance to knock off the current leaders and make a loud statement about their playoff intent. For the Lynx, it is the perfect stage to snap Las Vegas’ 12-game winning streak and reinforce their dominance heading into the postseason. Pride is on the line, and both teams know it.

On paper, Minnesota holds the edge. The Lynx are averaging 87.0 points per game while allowing just 76.7, showing balance at both ends of the court. The Aces trail slightly, putting up 82.7 points but giving away 81.6. The gap becomes more evident in ball movement. Minnesota dishes out 23.6 assists per contest compared to Vegas’ 18.9, highlighting their fluid offense.

But beyond the numbers, all eyes turn to A’ja Wilson and Napheesa Collier. Both rank inside the top 10 in offense and defense, making this a potential two-way duel that could decide the night. They will be backed by Courtney Williams and Chelsea Gray, the primary playmakers for their respective teams.

Aces do have a home court advantage and a 12-game win streak walking into this game. History, however, hasn’t been kind to the Las Vegas side. The Lynx handed the Aces their last defeat before this winning run. Furthermore, Aces has not been able to secure a win over the Lynx side, trailing by 0-3 this season. Hence, the scales tip in favor of Minnesota, but ever so slightly. ESPN analytics has given the Minnesota Lynx a 58.6 percent chance to win while the Las Vegas Aces have a 41.4 percent chance. But the real result will come after the final whistle on Thursday.