Lynx play Dream in game crucial to playoff chances

Lynx preview: The Lynx (10-19) open a three-game road trip with their second trip of the season to Atlanta. The Lynx, who won all three meetings between the teams last season, lost to Atlanta 84-76 on June 1. ... The Lynx have lost three consecutive games — and four of their past five — after back-to-back losses to Connecticut at Target Center last weekend. ... Kayla McBride scored 20 points to lead the Lynx in the first meeting with Atlanta. ... Sylvia Fowles, who had 16 points and 20 rebounds against Atlanta, did not play Sunday and is listed as probable for Thursday. ... Jessica Shepard (nose) is probable. ... Damiris Dantas, who has missed the past two games for personal reasons, will not play. ... The teams will play at Target Center on Aug. 7. ... The Lynx are 2 ¹⁄₂ games out of the final playoff spot with seven games remaining.

Atlanta preview: Atlanta (12-16) returns home after going 2-2 on a four-game West Coast road trip. The Dream, who are tied with Phoenix for the eighth and final playoff spot, lost the past two games on the trip after opening with victories over Phoenix and Las Vegas. The Dream are coming off an 82-72 loss at Seattle on Sunday. ... Tiffany Hayes, who missed the first 19 games of the season with a right knee injury, leads the Dream in scoring (16.4 points per game). ... Rhyne Howard, who is averaging 15.2 points per game, scored 20 against the Lynx last month. ... Monique Billings (ankle), who hasn't played since July 15, and former Hopkins High star Nia Coffey (knee), who hasn't played since July 12, are out indefinitely. ... Asia Durr (hip) is questionable. She did not play Sunday.