Lynx forward Napheesa Collier excited for All-Star weekend, but focused on finishing first half strong
The Lynx have one game to go before All-Star weekend, a chance to finish the first half of the season 10-10 after an 0-6 start. Dallas is at Target Center for the annual camp day game on Wednesday at noon.
KSTP Sports attended Lynx practice on Tuesday and spoke with coach/GM Cheryl Reeve, forwards Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhász, and guard Lindsay Allen.
***Click the video box above to hear from Reeve, Collier, Juhász, and Allen***
Reeve noted that all the players currently out with injury or an illness aren’t far away. That all should be back soon after the All-Star break.
Below is a Lynx-Dallas preview from the Associated Press:
Dallas Wings (10-9, 6-5 Western Conference) at Minnesota Lynx (9-10, 7-5 Western Conference)
Minneapolis; Wednesday, 12 p.m.
BOTTOM LINE: Dallas plays the Minnesota Lynx after Arike Ogunbowale scored 28 points in the Wings’ 77-76 win over the Indiana Fever.
The Lynx are 7-5 against Western Conference opponents. Minnesota is sixth in the WNBA with 19.2 assists per game led by Lindsay Allen averaging 4.2.
The Wings have gone 6-5 against Western Conference opponents. Dallas has a 2-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points.
The teams square off for the second time this season. The Wings won the last matchup 94-89 on May 31, with Natasha Howard scoring 25 points in the victory.
TOP PERFORMERS: Napheesa Collier is scoring 21.8 points per game and averaging 7.9 rebounds for the Lynx. Kayla McBride is averaging 11.9 points and 2.6 rebounds over the last 10 games for Minnesota.
Satou Sabally is averaging 17.5 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals for the Wings. Ogunbowale is averaging 21.0 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 41.2% over the last 10 games for Dallas.
LAST 10 GAMES: Lynx: 7-3, averaging 81.7 points, 33.7 rebounds, 20.1 assists, 7.5 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.1 points per game.
Wings: 5-5, averaging 81.1 points, 39.6 rebounds, 18.9 assists, 7.9 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.7 points.
INJURIES: Lynx: Aerial Powers: out (ankle), Jessica Shepard: out (illness), Tiffany Mitchell: out (wrist).
Wings: Lou Lopez Senechal: out (knee), Diamond DeShields: out (knee).