Gameday preview: Indiana at Lynx
August 18, 2017 at 2:57AM
Two struggling teams collide
Preview: The Lynx (21-5) have lost their past two games — their first consecutive losses since June 24-29, 2016 — and are 1-3 in their past four. Their offense has gone suddenly cold; after averaging 86.2 points over their first 24 games, they averaged 62.5 in losses to Seattle on Wednesday and Los Angeles last Friday. The team is missing injured point guard Lindsay Whalen, and coach Cheryl Reeve said opponents are doing a better job of suppressing the Lynx's strengths. On Friday the Lynx also will be without forward Rebekkah Brunson, who sprained her left ankle Wednesday and is expected to be out for about two weeks. Indiana (9-19), hit hard by injuries to its guards, has lost 12 of its past 14 games but beat the Lynx 84-82 on Aug. 6.
Players to watch: Lynx C Sylvia Fowles got her 15th double-double of the season Wednesday, with 13 points and 13 rebounds. She stands second in the WNBA in points (20.2), rebounds (10.2) and field-goal percentage (66.1). Fever F Candice Dupree leads her team with 15 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Numbers: The Fever is 3-12 on the road this season. … The Lynx have not lost a regular-season home game to Indiana since June 26, 2011, winning six in a row.
Injuries: Whalen (left hand) and Brunson (left ankle) are out. Fever G Tiffany Mitchell (right knee) and G Shenise Johnson (left knee) are out; G Briann January (sore right knee) is questionable.
RACHEL BLOUNT
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Royce Lewis’ blazing start to his Twins career had him atop the ranking at the end of spring. But times have changed.
