Paul Whelan has been detained in Russia for 1,606 days, and in a new interview, he's striking a more positive tone about his chances of coming home.

His feeling of abandonment comes months after the high-profile prisoner swap that brought WNBA star Britney Griner home, but he still sits in Russia in limbo.

It's East vs. West and North vs. South in four games that are in action in the WNBA. Sitting at second in the Eastern Conference behind the Washington Mystics, the Sun need to find a way to win. Phoenix Mercury vs. Washington Mystics Preview (tip-off 11:30 p.m. EST)The Phoenix Mercury are coming off a close win over the Atlanta Dream. A'ja Wilson leads the team in scoring with 16 points per game while Liz Cambage adds 15 points per game. Sitting at fifth in the Eastern Conference and a 6-9, record the Fever are looking to climb the standings.