The Game

The Lynx are back in the win column after a nice home victory on Saturday over the Liberty. Now they have to build on that success on the road. Minnesota is 5-5 and Indiana is 5-6. If both teams keep playing at their current level this could be an important game down the stretch when it comes to tiebreakers.

The Fever were the worst team in the league last year but have rebounded nicely this year behind a revamped coaching and front office staff that have put together a versatile, balanced roster. Five of their players average double figures, led by Kelsey Mitchell who is stepping up in her second year in the league.

Indiana is sustained by their offense. They have the second-best offensive rating in the league. They will be a challenge for the Lynx who have at times flashed the potential to be the best defense in the league but have also gotten burned on several occasions. Minnesota currently has the fifth-best defensive rating in the WNBA.

However, the Fever give up a ton of points, which is good news for the Lynx who are still somewhat trying to find their footing on the offensive end. Their performance in the third quarter especially of their victory over New York was extremely encouraging, but that was a starting point, not a finished product. Now it’s time to build. 

What: Lynx at Fever
When:  6 p.m.
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Watch: CBS Sports Network
Listen: 106.1 BOB FM

Angry Syl

After the win over the Liberty, Sylvia Fowles’ teammates and coaches praised ‘angry Syl,’ the version of Fowles who talks a lot in timeouts and holds her teammates accountable.

The emergence of Fowles’ vocal leadership in both practices and games played a big part in the Lynx’s success over the weekend, and that will have to continue if the Lynx want to get this victory on the road.

It wasn’t just in what Fowles said, though, what she did on the court against the Liberty was everything for the Lynx. She scored efficiently, anchored them on the defensive end and constantly fought for good position, allowing her teammates to make good interior passes. Fowles has an opportunity to replicate that performance on Tuesday against Tierra McCowan, the skilled but relatively raw rookie center for the Fever.

Travel Troubles 

Unfortunately, the Fever were the latest team in what has become a long line of casualties of commercial air travel. After several travel delays, they ended up having to take a bus back to Indiana from Atlanta. They are still currently on the road. It’s entirely possible that the Lynx will arrive in Indiana before the Fever.

These types of stories are all-too-common in the WNBA. When players are fatigued, injuries are more likely and it tilts the competitive balance in the league in a way that players can’t control. It’s very difficult to re-book entire teams of players if flight complications arise. I don’t know what the answer is here, but something has to change.

Injury Report:

Lynx: Seimone Augustus (knee) and Jessica Shepard (ACL) are out.
Fever: Victoria Vivians (ACL) is out.

Probably Starters:

Lynx: PG—Robinson, SG—Sims, SF—Collier, PF—Dantas, C—Fowles
Fever: PG—Wheeler, SG—Mitchell, SF—Laney, PF—Dupree, C—McCowan