Scouting Report | Lynx vs. Mystics

Target Center, 7:00 p.m.

Where to Watch: WNBA League Pass

Where to Listen: 106.1 BOB FM

Minnesota and Washington will square off on Friday night for the first time since June 26th when the Mystics brought the hammer down and beat the Lynx handily, 87-63.

The home team, however, will be playing with a little extra motivation on Friday evening as they will try and remain in first place in the league thanks to the Los Angeles Sparks losing their past two games.

The 22-5 Lynx and the 10-16 Mystics are both 1-1 since play has resumed after the Olympic break. Before taking in tonight’s action, be sure to remember these interesting facts regarding the non-conference matchup:

– Minnesota ranks first in the league in points per game while Washington sits at 10th. One reason why the defending WNBA Champions are putting up more than 85 points a game is due to their ball movement. The Lynx tally more than 20 assists per game which puts them second in the league at said category.

– Emma Meesseman and Tayler Hill, a Minnesota native, are both putting up impressive numbers this season as they are both averaging more than 15 points per game.

– Since July 1st, Washington has struggled putting a solid 40 minute game together and they have only won once in their last nine contests. The Mystics have proven in the past to give Minnesota issues, however, so despite their record and recent losing streak, tonight’s matchup will not be a cakewalk.

– The Lynx had a nice four-day break after their win on Sunday night against the Seattle Storm, so look for the four Olympians alongside Rebekkah Brunson to come out with tenacity and a fast pace in the first quarter.

– Speaking of the four players who traveled to Brazil and brought home a Gold Medal: Lindsay Whalen, Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and Sylvia Fowles, they are all averaging more than 10 points a game, and are all shooting better than 44 percent from the field. If the Lynx want to win out and hold on to the top spot in the league, however, their solid bench players, led by Natasha Howard and Renee Montgomery, will need to continue to perform at a high level.