Scouting Report | Lynx vs. Storm

The Game

After clinching the season series versus the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday, the Lynx have another opportunity to pick up a critical win against an opponent close to them in the standings on Wednesday when they host Seattle.

The Lynx are 10-7 and sitting in the No. 4 spot in the WNBA. The Storm are 10-8, good for the No. 6 spot. Needless to say, there isn’t much separation between these two squads.

Seattle has won two in a row but lost three games before that. They’re struggling to find consistency. Earlier in the season the Lynx were in the same boat, but they have really found their groove lately, having won six of their last eight games and four of their last five. 

Heading into the All-Star break with momentum is important and Minnesota needs to stay the course and continue to build a buffer around themselves in an extremely competitive season in the WNBA. They play the Storm, Aces and Mystics before the All-Star break and they need to do everything in their power to win those games. This could become a statement week for the team if things break right. 

What: Lynx vs. Storm
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Target Center
Watch: Fox Sports North
Listen: BOB FM 106.1

Temi’s Growth

Damiris Dantas is extremely close to a return but it’s safe to predict that she will not play on Wednesday. Head coach Cheryl Reeve said on Tuesday that Dantas might have played if the Lynx’s game was a day later but said she still needs just a little time.

Getting Dantas back is important, but Temi Fagbenle’s return from overseas certainly gives the Lynx a more favorable option at the power forward than constantly playing Napheesa Collier out of position in the meantime. Fagbenle also backs up Fowles at center so she can’t spend all her time at the four, but any time with Collier at the three is a positive.

Fagbenle didn’t find her shot against the Mercury, but she looked comfortable on the defensive end for the most part and did a good job setting screens and running the Lynx’s plays. Her continued growth back into Minnesota’s system will be important. 

Under The Radar

While the Storm are without All-Star Jewell Lloyd, they can’t afford to sleep on Jordin Canada. Canada is averaging 10.4 points and 5.5 assists per game on the season but has scored in double digits in five of the last six games.

What the Lynx do have going for them is Canada’s size. Danielle Robinson is typically undersized but she won’t be against the 5’6 Canada. Robinson will use her speed and quickness to stay in front of Canada. Canada isn’t a three-point shooter so Robinson’s main task will be to stay in front of her. She will be up to the challenge.

Injury Report:

Lynx: Seimone Augustus (knee), Karima Christmas-Kelly (knee), Damiris Dantas (calf) and Jessica Shepard (ACL) are out.
Storm: Jewell Loyd (ankle), Sue Bird (knee) and Breanna Stewart (Achilles) are out.

Probable Starters: 

Lynx: PG—Robinson, SG—Sims, SF—Talbot, PF—Collier, C—Fowles
Storm: PG—Canada, SG—Whitcomb, SF—Clark, PF—Howard, C—Russell