Lynx-New York gameday preview

The Lynx head on the road for the first time this season, facing an old friend.

May 18, 2021 at 2:18AM
New York Liberty coach Walt Hopkins reacts to a call by an official during the first half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Liberty coach Walt Hopkins reacted to a call by an official during a game in the WNBA bubble last year in Bradenton, Fla. (Phelan M. Ebenhack, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

6 p.m. at New York • ESPN3, 106.1-FM

Preview: The Lynx (0-1) will look to rebound from a two-point loss to Phoenix at Target Center on Friday. The Lynx trailed by nine at halftime, but opened the second half with a 17-6 run. The Liberty (2-0), coached by former Lynx assistant coach Walt Hopkins, have already matched their victory total for the 2020 season. The Liberty, which was 2-20 last season, defeated Indiana, 73-65, on Sunday to start a season with two consecutive victories for the first time in five years.

Players to watch: F/G Aerial Powers had 18 points and six rebounds and F Kayla McBride had 17 points and six rebounds in their debuts for the Lynx on Friday. C Sylvia Fowles opened her 15th WNBA season on Friday with a double-double (11 points and 11 rebounds). G/F Betnijah Laney, in her first season with the Liberty, is averaging 25 points per game (second-best in the league). G Sabrina Ionescu, whose rookie season in 2020 was limited to three games because of an injury, is averaging 18.5 points per game.

Numbers: The Lynx won both contests between the two last season— by 26 points and 30 points — in the bubble in Florida. The Liberty lost their final eight games in 2020.

Injuries: Liberty F Leaonna Odom (achilles) is questionable. For the Lynx, F Natalie Achonwa (knee) is questionable and rookie G Rennia Davis (foot) is out indefinitely.

Note: The game is not on TV but is available on the ESPN3 streaming service.

about the writer

about the writer

Joel Rippel

News Assistant

Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.

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