Alexander Shun

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Minnesota Lynx (6-2) vs. Phoenix Mercury (4-4) | 7:00 P.M. CT

WHERE TO WATCH: ESPN 2

WHERE TO LISTEN: 106.1 BOB FM

Rivalry games are always fun to watch.

The Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury are building quite a rivalry in the Western Conference and it will be fueled on Saturday night by one player: Mercury center Brittney Griner.

After serving a seven-game suspension for an off-court incident, Griner, the two-time All-Star, reigning defensive player of the year and WNBA champion, is set to return to action on Saturday night at Target Center against the Lynx.

Phoenix has always been a tough match-up for the Lynx, but the return of Griner makes them even tougher; evidenced by the Mercury’s 2-1 series victory over the Lynx in the Western Conference Semifinals during which Griner averaged 19.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

However, in Griner’s absence, other Mercury players have been given the chance to emerge and develop, and they have taken full advantage of that opportunity.

Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner and forward Candice Dupree have led Phoenix to a surprising 4-3 start, averaging 20.2 points and 16 points per game, respectively. Bonner, aside from just leading the team in scoring, also leads the Mercury in rebounding (seven rebounds per game) and assists (2.8 assists per game). Phoenix is however entering Saturday night’s game on a bit of a down note after losing to the previously winless San Antonio Stars on Thursday night, 76-71.

The Lynx however are entering Saturday night’s match-up on a very positive note, after coming back to beat the Storm on Thursday night in Seattle, 76-73.

Trailing 32-19 after the first quarter and 51-42 at halftime, the Storm looked like they were going to roll to an easy victory. Seattle seemingly could not miss in the first-half and came out early in the third quarter doing the same thing. A series of short runs by the Lynx cut the deficit throughout the game and eventually even pushed the Lynx to the lead.

With 18 seconds to go in the game, Lynx center Damiris Dantas made a go-ahead three-point play to give the Lynx the lead and secure them a huge come from behind victory over the Storm.

Lynx guards Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen led the team, scoring 24 and 16 points respectively.

LAST MEETING

The Lynx and Mercury last met on June 14 at US Airways Center in Phoenix and the Lynx struggled, to say the least.

The Lynx struggled offensively shooting just 24-of-67 (35 percent), including an abysmal 0-of-9 from beyond the arc. The offensive struggles didn’t end there. The Lynx also committed 16 turnovers which led to 20 Mercury points and contributed to a 81-66 Mercury victory.

Bonner led the Mercury scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Dupree added 16 points and five rebounds of her own. Mercury guard Alex Harden came off the bench to score 10 points in the Mercury win.

The Lynx were led by forward Maya Moore and guard Seimone Augustus as they both scored 17 points. Moore added seven rebounds and four steals while Augustus added six rebounds and one assist.

Lynx center Asjha Jones, in just her second game of the season, came off the bench to contribute six points, two rebounds and two assists in the loss.

MATCHUP OF THE GAME: BRITTNEY GRINER VS. LYNX FRONTCOURT

Brittney Griner, as previously noted, is a two-time All-Star, reigning defensive player of the year and a WNBA champion. She is arguably the most dominant frontcourt player in all of women’s basketball and she is set to return on Saturday night.

The Minnesota Lynx frontcourt has been dominant as well though. Led by veteran forward Rebekkah Brunson and veteran center Asjha Jones, as well as the emerging play of center Damiris Dantas, the Lynx frontcourt has proven in the past that they can handle players of Griner’s caliber. But will they be able to slow Griner on Saturday night? That remains to be seen.

Griner could either be rusty, struggling to find her rhythm again, or she could play hungry and angry and be as dominant as she has been in the past. If the Lynx can slow her down and force the other Mercury players to make shots, they could very well come out winners. However, if they should struggle, it will be a long night for that Lynx frontcourt.

PROJECTED STARTERS

Lynx: PG – Whalen, SG – Augustus, SF – Moore, PF – Brunson, C – Jones

Mercury: PG – Mitchell, SG – Currie, SF – Bonner, PF – Dupree, C – Griner