Lynx-Fever preview
Preview: The Lynx (24-7), who are playing their final road game of the regular season, and the Fever are meeting for the third time this month. On Aug. 6 in Indianapolis, the Fever edged the Lynx 84-82. The loss ended Minnesota's seven-game winning streak and started a stretch in which the Lynx lost four of six games. On Aug. 18, at the Xcel Energy Center, the Lynx routed the Fever 111-52. Indiana (9-23), which has been eliminated from playoff contention, is coming off a 79-74 loss in Atlanta on Saturday. It was the sixth consecutive loss for the Fever.
Players to watch: Lynx F Rebekkah Brunson returned to the lineup Sunday after missing the previous four games because of a left ankle injury. Brunson had seven points and six rebounds in 19 minutes. Lynx rookie G Alexis Jones had nine points, three rebounds and two assists in a season-high 21½ minutes. F Candice Dupree, who scored 31 in the victory over the Lynx on Aug. 6, leads the Fever in scoring (14.9 ppg). G Erica Wheeler, averaging 11.5 ppg, scored 23 points on Saturday.
Numbers: Since going 3-1 over the final 16 days of June, the Fever has won just two of 16 games. Indiana is 1-7 this month after going 1-9 in July.
Injuries: Lynx G Lindsay Whalen (hand) is out. Fever G Briann January (knee) and Fever G Tiffany Mitchell (ACL) are out for the season.
JOEL RIPPEL
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Royce Lewis’ blazing start to his Twins career had him atop the ranking at the end of spring. But times have changed.