Scouting Report | Lynx at Aces

Lynx at Aces, 5 p.m.
Mandalay Bay Events Center
NBA TV, BOB 106.1

Let’s do it again!

The Lynx have won three in a row and five of six heading into their matchup with the Las Vegas Aces. Minnesota has a record of 6-6, and is looking to climb above .500 for the second time this season.

The Aces have a far from sterling record (5-9), but they’ll be no pushover. After losing seven of their first eight games, Las Vegas has turned things around of late, largely due to the incredible play of their rookie center A’ja Wilson.

Wilson has been burning a trail through the league’s frontcourts, making sure nobody forgets who she is, or underestimates her due to her status as a rookie. She’s clearly one of the best young frontcourt players of the last decade, averaging 20.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

However, Wilson has yet to meet Sylvia Fowles and Rebekkah Brunson. While Wilson lines up at the power forward position, there’s no question she’ll be seeing some of the reigning WNBA MVP as well as her frontcourt partner Brunson. The first-ever meeting between the Lynx and the Aces (the team relocated from San Antonio before the start of this season) has the added significance of being the first battle between a player on the rise and one of the most decorated frontcourts in league history.

Interestingly enough, also lining up in the Aces frontcourt is JiSu Park, who the Lynx originally drafted with the No. 12 overall pick in the WNBA draft this year before trading her to the Aces for future assets.

But the Aces’ talent extends beyond the frontcourt. To beat the Las Vegas, Minnesota will have to stay vigilant in their coverage of Kayla McBride, who is averaging 17.2 points per game starting at shooting guard.

The Aces are a very good rebounding team, so Minnesota will need to stay focused all the way until the end of possessions if they want to get the win. The Lynx will also need to keep the Aces off the line, where they rank second in the league in free throw attempts. The Lynx will likely look to exploit a Las Vegas defense that gives up a ton of three-pointers, and though Minnesota isn’t known as a team that shoots a lot from beyond the arc, they’ll be getting quality looks there, and they’ll need to knock them down.

Sunday’s game represents an opportunity for the Lynx to complete a perfect two-game road trip and return home with a winning record. They should be favored to win, but no game in this league is easy. We’ll keep you posted on how things go.

Starting Lineups:

Lynx: PG—Whalen, SG—Augustus, SF—Moore, PF—Brunson, C—Fowles

Aces: PG—Plum, SG—McBride, SF—Coffey, PF—Wilson, C—Park

Injuries:

Lynx: No injuries to report.

Aces: Moriah Jefferson (knee) is out.