Lynx-Connecticut game preview

The Lynx and Sun meet for the third time this season.

June 18, 2017 at 1:14AM
Connecticut Sun's Jonquel Jones reacts during the second half of a WNBA basketball game against the San Antonio Stars, Sunday, June 19, 2016, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) ORG XMIT: CTJH108
The Sun’s Jonquel Jones averages a double-double. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

7 p.m. vs. Connecticut • Xcel Energy Center • FSN Plus, NBA TV, 106.1-FM

Today's pursuit is a perfect 10

Preview: The Lynx are looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season. A win would push them to 10-0 and give them their third start of 10 or more consecutive victories since 2012. This will be their third and final regular-season game against the Sun; the Lynx edged Connecticut by two points at home May 23, then beat the Sun by 14 in Connecticut three days later. But Connecticut is getting hot; after opening the season 0-4 — with two losses coming to the Lynx — the Sun has won four of the past five, including the past three, with only a two-point loss to Washington in that stretch. Connecticut has won those four games by an average of 19.8 points, including a 20-point win over New York on Wednesday.

Players to watch: C Sylvia Fowles is coming off a season-high 30 points at Dallas on Sunday. F Rebekkah Brunson had her 79th career double-double vs. Dallas, and needs just two more to pass her former Sacramento teammate Yolanda Griffith for sixth in league history on the all-time list. F Maya Moore hit five three-pointers while scoring a season-high 23 points Sunday. Connecticut C Jonquel Jones has double-doubles in four or her past five games and is averaging 17 points and 14.8 rebounds in that stretch. G Rachel Banham, the former Gophers star working her way back to full health after knee surgery, had season highs in minutes (17) and points (11) vs. New York.

Numbers: Brunson needs 20 rebounds to pass Tina Thompson (3,070) into third place in league history. Fowles is a plus-128 in nine games. Six of the past nine games between the Sun and Lynx have been decided by six or fewer points. Saturday's game starts a stretch in which the Lynx will play nine of 13 games at home.

Injuries: The Lynx report no injuries. Sun F Chiney Ogwumike (Achilles') and G Alex Bentley (personal) are out. F Lynette Kizer (back) and F Morgan Tuck (knee) are questionable.

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