Lynx vs. Liberty
Target Center, 7 p.m.
ESPN2, BOB 106.1

After a gutsy performance against Phoenix last weekend, the Lynx are looking to carry their momentum into the All-Star break and go into the weekend with a win. They face the New York Liberty at Target Center on Tuesday night.

In the Lynx’s last game, Maya Moore carried the team, dropping a season-high 38 points on the Mercury. Maya could certainly deliver again tomorrow night, but if history is any indication, it might be Sylvia Fowles’ turn to shine.

Fowles has excelled against the Liberty this season, averaging 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in two contests. By contrast, New York’s center Kia Vaughn is averaging just 4.0 points against Fowles. Her backups, Amanda Zahui B and Kia Stokes are averaging 4.5 and 3.0 points against the Lynx, respectively.

The New York Liberty have a player named Kia, a second player named Kia, a player named Kiah, and a player named Bria.

— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) July 20, 2018

However, the Liberty’s frontcourt extends beyond the center position. Look one spot over at power forward and you’re dealing with one of the greatest post players of all time—Tina Charles. The nine-year pro is averaging 19.8 points and 6.8 rebounds on the season in 32.8 minutes per game. Charles, who was a teammate of Moore’s in college at UConn, will be reuniting with her to play in the All-Star game—both are members of Team Parker.

But before the fun of All-Star weekend comes the grind of an important matchup. The Lynx could climb to a tie for third place with a win, and the Liberty, having fallen to 11^th place in the WNBA, desperately need wins to stay relevant in the playoff race.

Tuesday night’s contest is Minnesota’s last before the All-Star break. For most of the team, the weekend will offer a much-needed chance to rest and recover, and for Fowles, Moore and Seimone Augustus, it will be an opportunity to play in the All-Star game in front of their hometown fans.

Starting Lineups:

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

Liberty: PG—Boyd, SG—Rodgers, SF—Coleman, PF—Charles, C— Vaughn

Injuries:

Lynx: No injuries to report.

Liberty: Epiphanny Prince (eye) and Shavonte Zellous (ankle) will be game-time decisions.