Elena Delle Donne, Ariel Atkins to start Game 3 of WNBA Finals

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 6: Ariel Atkins #7 of the Washington Mystics high-fives Elena Delle Donne #11 of the Washington Mystics against the Dallas Wings on September 6, 2019 at the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Just thirty minutes before tipoff of Game 3 of the 2019 WNBA Finals, both Elena Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins were listed in the Washington Mystics starting lineup vs. the Connecticut Sun.

On Saturday, Mystics head coach Mike Thibault announced both were questionable for the game due to back injuries.

Both Delle Donne and Atkins warmed up ahead of the lineup announcement, but their status remained questionable. Thibault said as late as 2 p.m., “They haven’t told me yet. As soon as I know, you’ll probably know.”

Natasha Cloud, Kristi Toliver and LaToya Sanders round out the Mystics starting lineup.

The Sun host the Mystics in front of a sold-out crowd at 3:30 ET, and will start Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, Shekinna Stricklen, Jasmine Thomas and Courtney Williams.

UNCASVILLE, CT - OCTOBER 6: Kristi Toliver #20 of the Washington Mystics handles the ball against the Connecticut Sun during Game Three of the 2019 WNBA Finals on October 6, 2019 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Khoi Ton/NBAE via Getty Images)

2019 WNBA Finals: Mystics take 2-1 lead in series after win in CT

UNCASVILLE - The Washington Mystics took a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals series after a 94-81 win in front of a sold-out crowd in Connecticut. The Sun will h...

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