The Game
The Lynx come into their final game of the 2018 regular season locked into the No. 7 seed. That means they’ll play the first of two single-elimination playoff games on the road.
While it’s not certain who Minnesota will face, depending on tonight’s games it could be L.A. or Phoenix. However, if both the Sparks and Mercury win tonight the Lynx’s will be traveling to play the Sun.
The playoffs undoubtedly loom large but there’s still the game tonight against the Mystics to worry about.
The Lynx haven’t ended the season in the way that they hoped—losing three in a row to the Storm, Sky and Sun heading into their final game. It will be interesting to see how coach Cheryl Reeve balances her rotation tonight. With Minnesota locked into their playoff seed, the outcome of this game doesn’t have the ability to impact the standings. This might be a good opportunity to give a few key players a little rest. However, it is also advantageous to go into the playoffs on a win against a high-level opponent.
Danielle Robinson is obviously still out for the Lynx and Rebekkah Brunson is questionable. The story of the last few games has been figuring out how to replace their contributions.
The Lynx signed Sydney Colson last week to get a little more depth at guard and while she’s played as well as could reasonably be expected, she doesn’t know the Lynx’s offense as well as the players who have been on the team all year. Sunday’s contest could be a perfect opportunity to get her some run.
Tonight will also be Lindsay Whalen’s last regular-season home game before her retirement—but more on that in a minute.
What: Lynx vs Mystics
When: Sunday, August 19, 6 p.m. CT
Where: Target Center
Watch: ESPN 2
Listen: Bob 106.1 FM
Whalen’s Farewell
The Lynx might not have anything to play for in the standings, but they would love to give Lindsay Whalen a proper sendoff.
Whalen will play her last regular-season game in front of the Target Center crowd tonight, and the winningest player in WNBA history would certainly like to add one more to her total.
This game is somewhat of a poetic end to Whalen’s career, as she will be facing coach Mike Thibault, her first WNBA coach and the only coach she’s ever played for other than Reeve.
Target Center is sure to be excited and full of energy tonight. If you’re at the game, stick around afterward for a celebration of Whalen’s remarkable career.
Big Game For The Mystics
Thibault may have a lot of appreciation for Whalen, but the Mystics will not be handing her a win. This is one of the biggest games of the season for D.C.
Washington has been on a tear lately. They’ve won eight games in a row and are knocking on the door of the No. 2 seed currently held by Atlanta. If Washington wins tonight and Atlanta loses, the Mystics will seize a semi-finals berth and avoid playing any single-elimination games.
Driving the train of the Mystics’ run has been Elena Delle Donne. The talented forward is having a season for the ages, averaging 21.0 points and 7.3 rebounds on 48-percent shooting. Both the Lynx and the Mystics want to win this contest badly, so we should be in for a fight. Obviously, the Lynx would rather their players play well rather than the Mystics’, but if we get peak-level Delle Donne it will be fun to watch.
Projected Starting Lineups
Lynx: PG – Wright, SG – Augustus, SF – Zandalasini, PF – Moore, C – Fowles
Mystics: PG – Cloud, SG – Tolliver, SF – Currie, PF – Delle Donne, C – Sanders
Injury Report
Lynx: Rebekkah Brunson (concussion) is questionable, and Danielle Robinson (ankle) is out.
Mystics: No injuries to report.