Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter
The Minnesota Lynx kick off the 2017 regular season on Sunday night at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
The Lynx host the Sky at 6 p.m. in their new home for the summer.
“I’ve been training a lot for this moment,” Temi Fagbenle said after shootaround Sunday morning. “Each game is important, and that’s what Cheryl (Reeve) has been telling us. Treat each game like it’s a championship game, and that’s what I do.”
With the rosters being finalized last Friday, Minnesota will open the season with a few new faces. Those players include Fagbenle, Alexis Jones and Plenette Pierson.
Fagbenle, a 2016 Lynx draft pick, and Jones a 2017 Lynx draft pick, are beginning their rookie seasons this year. Pierson, who the Lynx signed in the offseason, will begin her 15th season in the WNBA.
“Cheryl talked to me and told me to take this time and to take a step back and actually enjoy this experience, because I usually don’t leave time for much enjoyment for myself. It’s a great feat, I’m very competitive,” Fagbenle said. “I had the belief in myself from the beginning that I could make the team with hard work, and that’s what I did. . . I’m very happy to be on this team, especially with the type of players we have, the type of coaches we have and the whole championship environment. I’m very lucky to be on this team.”
The Lynx look to start the 2017 season on the right foot Sunday night. Make sure to follow along on Fox Sports North and 106.1 BOB FM.
“What I’ve always had in my mind is to work my hardest and to get better. This is a very talented team and whatever I have to do to help this team, I will do,” Fagbenle said. “It’s not about the minutes for me, it’s not about starting for me, it’s about killing it and providing as support for my teammates and coaches in whatever capacity I need to do that.”