Scouting Report | Lynx vs. Mercury

The Game

The Lynx are hoping the energy of their home crowd can help them get back on the right track on Sunday night.

After a disappointing loss to the Dream in Atlanta on Friday evening, Minnesota needs to get back on the right track and reestablish the momentum they have built up over the course of what has been a great few weeks for the team.

The Lynx are 9-7 on the season while the Mercury are 7-7. It is likely that Phoenix will be a team jockeying for playoff position with Minnesota, so a win tonight would be big. The Lynx already beat the Mercury once at home earlier in the season so a win on Sunday would clinch the season series.

The big news out of Phoenix is that Diana Taurasi is back in action. While she is doubtful to play against the Lynx she is back on the active roster which is certainly something the Mercury are happy about. She was limited against Connecticut, missing all four of her field-goal attempts, but she will be back in form soon. While her return will make a rival team better, it is great to see Taurasi back in action.

What: Lynx vs. Mercury
When:  6:00 p.m.
Where: Target Center
Watch: NBA TV, Fox Sports Go
Listen: BOB FM 106.1

Help Arrives

The Lynx have been badly in need of help in the frontcourt lately with Damiris Dantas and Jessica Shepard both injured. Now, finally, some has arrived.

The team announced yesterday that Temi Fagbenle is back on the active roster. After a dominant EuroBasket performance she is ready to roll. While it’s hard to say exactly how much she’ll play she was with the team for parts of training camp so she actually doesn’t have too much catching up to do. It’s worth noting too that the Lynx have simplified their offense since Fagbenle practiced with the team so things might be a little easier than expected on that front.

Fagbenle’s return means that Napheesa Collier will not have to play quite as much power forward, especially if Asia Taylor continues to play as well as she has. Fagbenle can play the four or the five so she gives head coach Cheryl Reeve some much-needed flexibility at the forward.

Phoenix Rising

The Mercury did not have a great start to the season they have really turned things around. They have won five of their last seven games and are now in the league’s No. 8 spot. That’s just one full game behind the No. 4 Lynx. We’ve said it already but this season really is remarkably competitive. Every win counts.

Re-integrating Taurasi will come with challenges for Phoenix but they won’t have to do it right away. DeWanna Bonner and Brittney Griner are obviously incredible talents and Phoenix has some nice complimentary pieces as well. The team has demonstrated that they can win games without Taurasi and that gives them some flexibility to bring her back slowly.

Injury Report:

Lynx: Seimone Augustus (knee), Karima Christmas-Kelly (knee), Damiris Dantas (calf) and Jessica Shepard (ACL) are out.
Mercury: Sancho Lyttle (knee) and Diana Taurasi (back) are doubtful.

Probable Starters: 

Lynx: PG—Robinson, SG—Sims, SF—Talbot, PF—Collier, C—Fowles
Mercury: PG—January, SG—Mitchell, SF—Carson, PF—Bonner, C—Griner