Lynx to sign forward Erlana Larkins to seven-day contract

With Lynetta Kizer's seven-day contract having lapsed, the Lynx are expected to sign veteran center/forward Erlana Larkins to a seven-day deal on Thursday, according to a league source.

The 6-1, 32-year-old Larkins has played in 234 games in her eight-year career — the past six with Indiana — and started 122. She has career averages of 6.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 55.7-percent shooting.

The Lynx are trying to find a backup to power forward Rebekkah Brunson, who missed Wednesday's game against Indiana because of a thigh injury.

Larkins last played in the WNBA in 2017, when she started 17 of 34 games for Indiana, averaging 4.9 points and 4.2 rebounds. She sustained a bone bruise in her knee while playing overseas last winter and has spent the past few months recovering. Larkins has battled ongoing knee issues for much of her career.

When healthy, Larkins is an aggressive rebounder and should be a nice addition to the Lynx. Brunson, who set the WNBA's all-time rebounding record last week, has been playing significant minutes of late.

Coach Cheryl Reeve has talked about using Temi Fagbenle more at the power forward position, but having a veteran rebounder such as Larkins on the roster would give the Lynx more options in their frontcourt.

Kent Youngblood