Lynx-Washington game preview

The 2019 WNBA champion Mystics need a victory to make this year's playoff field.

September 18, 2021 at 9:44PM
Washington Mystics center Tina Charles (31) drives to the basket around Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the third quarter of a WNBA basketball game Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Minneapolis. The Lynx won 93-75. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Mystics center Tina Charles took on Lynx forward Napheesa Collier on Sept. 4 at Target Center. (Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

2 p.m. at Washington • ESPN3

Preview: The Lynx (21-10) clinched a first-round bye with a victory over Indiana on Friday; a victory would give them the No. 3 seed, whereas a loss would make them No. 4. Sunday's regular-season finale is a must-win for 2019 WNBA champion Washington. The Mystics (12-19) could have earned the final playoff spot on Friday, but lost at New York 91-80; now they must win this game to clinch. If Washington loses, Los Angeles can earn the No. 8 seed by winning at Dallas; if the Sparks also lose, New York would get the playoff spot. The Lynx and Mystics have split two games this season with Washington winning 85-81 on June 8 at home and the Lynx winning 93-75 on Sept. 4 at Target Center. The Lynx have won just two of the past seven regular-season meetings between the two.

Players to watch: Sylvia Fowles led the Lynx with 21 points and 10 rebounds Friday. She was 8-for-9 from the field as she registered her 13th double-double of the season. G Crystal Dangerfield scored 15 points Friday, the seventh time she has scored 15 or more. ... Mystics C Tina Charles leads the league in scoring ( 23.7 points per game) and is seventh in rebounding (9.4 per game). F Ariel Atkins, who is averaging 16.2 points per game, scored 29 points against New York on Friday.

Numbers: Charles and Fowles are the top two in WNBA history in most games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. Charles has 94, while Fowles has 72.

Injuries: Lynx G Layshia Clarendon (fibula) is questionable. Mystics F Elena Delle Donne (back), the 2015 and 2019 WNBA MVP who has played in only three games this season, did not play Friday and is doubtful.

Note: The game is not on television but is available for streaming on ESPN3.

about the writer

about the writer

Joel Rippel

News Assistant

Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.

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