Two of the best in the business are set to go head to head! It’s Napheesa Collier’s Minnesota Lynx taking on Allisha Gray’s Atlanta Dream. Lynx are currently top of the table with a 12-2 record while the Dream sit comfortably in fourth with a 10-5 record. If you ever wanted to taste what the W has to offer other than Caitlin Clark? Well, this is the game.

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Interestingly, both teams are heading into this matchup coming off a loss. Even more surprising? They’ve each won just 3 of their last 5 games. There’s barely anything separating the two sides right now. So, without wasting any more time, let’s check out the injury report for both teams and see who might have the edge heading into this encounter.

Where to watch

You can watch these two teams clash on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, GA. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. For those unable to attend the game, don’t worry, we have got you covered on that front as well! The game will be broadcast on ION. It can also be viewed by taking the WNBA pass.

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Injury report: Minnesota Lynx vs Atlanta Dream

For coach Karl Smesko, once again, there are no injury concerns to deal with. He will have a fully fit squad to choose from. But for Cheryl Reeve? Things won’t be quite the same! Arguably the best player in the W this year, Napheesa Collier is currently a game-time decision.

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Collier has missed the last two games due to a back injury, and the Lynx are anxiously waiting for an update on her injury timeline. Everyone will be holding their breath and praying she can make it to the game!

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Projected starting lineup

Minnesota Lynx

  • Jessica Shepard
  • Bridget Carleton
  • Alanna Smith
  • Kayla McBride
  • Courtney Williams

Atlanta Dream

  • Brionna Jones
  • Brittney Griner
  • Allisha Gray
  • Jordin Canada
  • Rhyne Howard

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Prediction: Can the Minnesota Lynx win without Napheesa Collier?

First things first, the Lynx have already proven they can win even without Napheesa Collier. Just look at their performances against the Aces and the Sparks. With three other players averaging double figures, this team isn’t entirely dependent on Phee to get the job done. Naturally, ESPN gives them a slight edge with a 52.2% chance of winning. And the numbers do make sense.

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The Minnesota Lynx have the best defense in the league. They restrict the opposition to just 73.6 points per game. But they are up against the team who have the second-best defense in the league, conceding 77.1 points per game. Offensively, these two teams are nearly mirror images of each other. The Lynx put up 83.4 points per game, while the Dream edged them out ever so slightly with 83.5.

Even if Napheesa Collier isn’t cleared to play, this one promises to be a nail-biter. The likes of Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride will have to be at their level best to make sure the Lynx walk away win a win tonight. But if she does suit up, the scales could tip in the Lynx’s favor. So, who do you think comes out on top tonight? Drop your predictions in the comments below!

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Akash Das

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Akash Das is an NCAA and WNBA Writer at EssentiallySports, where his bylines dive deep into the structural side of basketball. With a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and a Master’s in Sports Business & Management from the University of Liverpool, he grounds every feature in strong reporting fundamentals and academic rigor. His coverage tracks how coaching blueprints, roster construction, and roster moves, from the NCAA transfer portal to WNBA free agency, shape outcomes on the court. His sharp breakdowns at the WNBA desk earned him a spot in the outlet’s prestigious Journalistic Excellence Program, putting him among ES’ most trusted voices on basketball. Beyond box scores, Akash is driven by the bigger picture: how programs are built, maintained, and rebuilt in the NCAA pipeline, and how those systems intersect with the professional game. With experience across sports writing, research, and media strategy, he brings nuance to topics often overlooked in day-to-day highlights coverage. Whether examining the long-term vision behind a college program or the ripple effect of player mobility in the WNBA, Akash connects fans to the tactical and structural heart of the sport.

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Shreya Singh