Because it's the second of two preseason games, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has a rather long to-do list when it comes to Sunday's game with Washington in Rochester, Minn.
Nine of 11 Lynx roster spots appear to be set
Final auditions are today in preseason game.
May 8, 2016 at 5:27AM
She wants her core players to get a little more time. She would like to see a less foul-prone effort to springboard the team into a final week of practice before Saturday's season opener against Phoenix.
But the most important thing is making the final roster decisions.
With Janel McCarville having passed her physical and signed on for the season — she practiced Saturday and could play Sunday — and with Seimone Augustus and Rebekkah Brunson expected back in Minnesota in the coming days, it appears nine of the team's 11-player roster spots are set:
• Starters: Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Sylvia Fowles, Brunson and Augustus.
• Backups: center McCarville, guards Jia Perkins and Renee Montgomery and power forward Natasha Howard.
Center Porsha Roberts, small forward Keisha Hampton and power forward Bashaara Graves are apparently competing for the final two roster spots. All three will get extended playing time Sunday. Guard Sydney Wallace has had a very good camp and has shown some impressive athletic ability. But it would be difficult for her to crack the top 11.
Drafted in the second round with the 22nd overall pick, Graves has impressed the coaches with her defense.
"When you come in as a rookie and defend the pick and roll, that's big," Reeve said. "Her defense is very instinctive. There is trust there."
Hampton was signed as a free agent March 30. Back from a knee injury sustained as a senior at DePaul in 2012, she has made the most of her chance. With Reeve looking for a backup to Moore at small forward, Hampton would be a good fit. She has done well in practice, but was plagued by fouls in Thursday's preseason victory over the New York Liberty, picking up six in 10 minutes.
"Keisha didn't do well [Thursday]," Reeve said. "All she did was foul. Sunday is about her showing us she has some intelligence about her game."
The final cuts are going to be difficult.
"In some cases, the difference between players is negligible," Reeve said. "You can see potential in both post players."
Reeve said after Sunday's game she will meet with her staff and with some veteran players to get feedback before the final decisions.
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