7:00 p.m., Allstate Arena
Where to Watch: ESPN 2
Where to Listen: 106.1 BOB FM
The Lynx travel to Chicago on Tuesday to take on the 16-15 Elena Delle Donne-less Sky in what will be both teams third-to-last game of the season.
In very unfortunate news out of Chicago, last season’s Most Valuable Player will have surgery to repair an injury to her thumb and there is no set timetable for her return.
Tuesday evening’s game should be very interesting to watch as Minnesota has already clinched home court advantage throughout the playoffs, and Chicago has clinched a playoff berth, but is still looking to improve their seed.
Before these two playoff-bound teams battle it out on the hardwood, be sure to remember these interesting facts about the matchup:
– The Sky and the Lynx rank first and second in the league respectively in points per game, both averaging more than 85 points per contest. We will see how Chicago fairs without their leading scorer and leader in Delle Donne.
– Speaking of putting up points, the only player on Chicago’s roster who averages double-digit points besides EDD is the veteran Cappie Pondexter. The 33-year-old guard is shooting 41.5 percent from the field on the season and will need to step her game up in order to carry the Sky far in the postseason.
– One key difference in Minnesota game versus Chicago’s is defense. The defending WNBA Champions are second in the league in points allowed with 76, while the Sky give up a lot of points (85.7) per game and rely on their efficient offense to tally wins.
– Minnesota does have an opportunity to tie the league record for most wins in a regular season with 29. Now that the Lynx have secured home court advantage throughout the playoffs, however, it will be interesting to see whether Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve rests her stars, or whether she wants to continue improving the starter’s chemistry going into the last games of the season.