Lynx waive Osahor, Richardson and Mack to get roster to 12

Maya Moore, held out of Monday's game, is OK; Plenette Pierson is expected back at Thursday practice. Three players are battling for the final two roster spots.

May 9, 2017 at 5:12PM
Maya Moore
Lynx forward Maya Moore (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The two-game preseason completed, the Lynx waived forwards Chantel Osahor and Breanna Richardson and guard Moriah Mack.

That leaves the roster at 12, which is the league maximum. But the Lynx will likely go with 11 players due to salary cap considerations. That means rookie guard Alexis Jones – the team's first-round draft pick – C/G Temi Fagbenle and Shao Ting are likely competing for the final two roster spots. A decision should be made by Thursday. The Lynx open the regular season Sunday.

Jones, Ting and Fagbenle have all impressed during camp.

Fagbenle – who didn't play last season while finishing her graduate degree at USC – is raw, but is improving, coach Cheryl Reeve said. "It's fun to see her progress, and how fast she's learning,'' Reeve said.

Ting, a star on the Chinese national team and a teammate of Lynx center Sylvia Fowles in the Chinese professional league, has been productive and Jones, taken with the 12th pick in the draft, has impressed coaches with her speed and quickness.

The 6-2 Osahor, acquired in a trade with Chicago a day after the draft. Richardson and Mack were signed as pre-camp free agents.

The Lynx, who beat the Washington Mystics in Monday's preseason finale, returned to the Twin Cities Tuesday, will take Wednesday off and return to practice Thursday.

--Meanwhile, Maya Moore, who was held out of Monday's game with what the team called a groin injury, should be fine. Reeve said holding Moore out was purely precautionary. Moore should practice Thursday and play in the opener Sunday. "Way, way precautionary,'' Reeve said. "We want everyone to be ready for the opener.''

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--Plenette Pierson, who missed both preseason games after entering concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the temple during practice last week, is expected to return to practice Thursday.

about the writer

about the writer

Kent Youngblood

Reporter

Kent Youngblood has covered sports for the Minnesota Star Tribune for more than 20 years.

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