Minnesota releases Kamiah Smalls from hardship contract
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced forward Damiris Dantas and guard Moriah Jefferson have been cleared to return to play. In a subsequent move, guard Kamiah Smalls was released from her hardship contract. Both Dantas and Jefferson will be available for Minnesota’s home game against the Washington Mystics tonight.
Dantas, a 6-3 forward, is set to return after her season last year was cut short by a Lisfranc injury in her right foot suffered on the Aug. 31 game against the New York Liberty that caused her to miss all seven Lynx September contests. In 2021, she appeared in 24 games, averaging 7.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 2.3 apg in 23.8 mpg. Entering her eighth season, Dantas holds career averages of 7.9 ppg, on 43.3% shooting, 4.3 rpg, and 1.6 apg.
Jefferson, a 5-6 guard, rejoins Minnesota after a left quadriceps strain that occurred in the May 29 contest against the Los Angeles Sparks. The five-year veteran signed with Minnesota as a free agent on May 13 and has appeared in six contests (all starts), averaging 14.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 steals in 29.7 minutes per game. Jefferson has led Minnesota in assists for all six games she has appeared, including a season-high seven (May 19 vs Las Vegas).
Smalls, a 5-10 guard, signed with Minnesota on June 1 and in the three games she appeared averaged 1.3 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 11.3 minutes per game. The James Madison University product was selected 28th overall in the 2020 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.
The Lynx will take on the Washington Mystics tonight, June 10 at Target Center. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. CT and will broadcast on Bally Sports North.