Lynx-Phoenix gameday preview

Preview: The Lynx (14-8 last season) and Phoenix (13-9) both open the season with optimism after a busy offseason. The Lynx, who have made the playoffs 10 consecutive seasons, signed three free agents, while the Mercury added depth via trades.

Players to watch: Lynx C Sylvia Fowles averaged 14.6 points and 9.7 rebounds in seven regular-season games last season. G Rachel Banham averaged 6.9 points per game and shot 47% from three-point range last season. Phoenix G Diana Taurasi, in her 17th WNBA season and the league's all-time leading scorer, averaged 18.7 points per game last season. G Skylar Diggins-Smith averaged 17.7 points per game in 2020 — her first season with the Mercury. G Kia Nurse and F Megan Walker were acquired from the New York Liberty.

Numbers: Since the start of the 2016 season, the Lynx has won 16 of the 18 meetings between the two teams. They split their two regular-season games last season, with the Lynx winning by one point in the playoffs. … The Lynx set their roster Thursday by waiving Selena Lott and Mikayla Pivec and adding G Linnae Harper as an emergency exemption.

Injuries: For Phoenix, C Kia Vaughn (undisclosed) is questionable while G Bria Hartley (knee) is out. For the Lynx, G Kayla McBride (quarantine) is out and rookie G Rennia Davis (stress fracture in left foot) is out indefinitely.

JOEL RIPPEL