Lynx: Toe injury could keep Augustus out again

Seimone Augustus missed practice Monday, and the Lynx's leading scorer is questionable for tonight's game vs. Chicago at Target Center.

Augustus has a sprained big toe on her right foot, an injury commonly referred to as turf toe.

"It can be a nagging injury," Lynx assistant trainer Angie Szumowski said. "Or, if you take care of it right away, it can go away after a few days."

Augustus is the WNBA's fourth-highest scorer, averaging 19.2 points per game. The 6-foot guard also is averaging 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

"Our best guess is [the injury] happened Thursday night," Lynx coach Don Zierden said.

That night, Augustus scored 23 points in an 80-76 home victory over Sacramento. Afterward, she admitted she played despite an upset stomach after eating a piece of pie, but said nothing about a toe problem.

Saturday in San Antonio, Augustus was bothered by the toe during shootaround. That night, she tried to participate in pregame warmups but was unable to do so.

Without her, the Lynx (8-7) lost 73-65 to the Silver Stars. She had played in 82 consecutive games since the Lynx took her No. 1 overall in the 2006 draft.

Results of an MRI on Augustus' big toe are expected today.

A committee of players will replace Augustus for as long as she remains out, Zierden said.

"LaToya Thomas is going to have to step up and play some minutes," Zierden said. "She did [Saturday] and she did a pretty good job under the circumstances.

"Candice Wiggins will have to play more minutes. Noelle Quinn will have to play more minutes. We will spread it around. It won't be just one player."