Alexander Shun
Associate Web Editor | Twitter
The Minnesota Lynx can be thankful that today’s game was only a preseason game because, let’s be honest, it wasn’t all that pretty.
The Lynx lost to the Washington Mystics 89-63 in Washington today.
Guard Lindsay Whalen led the Lynx with 10 points and rookie forward Reshanda Gray added 10 points and five rebounds in her WNBA debut.
Lynx forward and defending WNBA MVP Maya Moore had a game she’d surely like to forget, shooting only 2-of-6 for seven points, her lowest point total in a game since she scored a mere two points against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 21, 2013.
The Mystics however could not seem to miss, especially in the second half. Guard Tayler Hill led the attack scoring 18 points which included going 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Guard Bria Hartley scored 10 points and dished out five assists and center Emma Meesseman added 11 points and five rebounds. The Mystics had five players score in double figures.
The game was close at halftime with the Mystics leading 43-42, but they exploded in the second half going on a 21-9 run in the third quarter. From there, they never looked back.
For the Lynx, their biggest problems were turnovers and missed free-throws, committing 21 turnovers (13 in the second half), and shooting only 14 of 23 from the line.
Leader of the Pack: Damiris Dantas
Dantas did a little bit of everything for the Lynx today, finishing with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal. Dantas made the biggest impact on the offensive glass, gathering five offensive rebounds.
Despite some missed shots, Dantas consistently gave the Lynx second-chances and scored big baskets at key moments, including a huge layup to end the Mystics 21-0 run.
The Numbers Game
After being down only a single point at halftime, the Lynx were outscored 46-21 in the second half.
The Lynx’s 26-point loss is the worst by the team since losing by 30 points, 96-66, to the Los Angeles Sparks on July 2, 2013
The loss today is only the second preseason-game loss by the Lynx in the last four seasons.
Next Up
The Lynx will come home to Target Center to wrap up their preseason when they face the New York Liberty on Monday night. The game will start at 7pm.