The Minnesota Lynx will host the Chicago Sky Friday night at Target Center. Both teams need this win for different reasons. The Lynx will look to maintain their No. 2 position in the standings, particularly with their next two games against New York and Connecticut. The Sky are fighting to retain their No. 8 spot, which was made even more precarious after the drubbing they received from the Washington Mystics.
Washington and the Atlanta Dream sit one game below Chicago. The Mystics also play Friday night in Atlanta, so the eyes of the Sky fans will be checking the score of that game and trying to focus on their match-up with the Lynx.
The Lynx and Sky Starting Off Strong In This Matchup
Minnesota, while winning all three of their previous road games, had difficulties in the first half of each game. That is something they simply cannot afford anymore, with their remaining regular season games and certainly not in the playoffs. Losing Angel Reese has been a setback for the Sky. Her inside presence and scoring/rebounding are sorely missed. Washington managed to play on every weakness they could find with the Sky, and there is no doubt that the Lynx will do the same.
at work. 🚧 pic.twitter.com/DhwQnseHON
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 12, 2024
Chennedy Carter cannot be expected to pull the entire weight of the team. They are not without weapons; Michaela Onyenwere, Isabelle Harrison, Kamilla Cardoso, Dana Evans, and Rachel Banham all have the ability to score and score big. But having to play against the Minnesota defense will be a massive challenge. The Lynx, regardless of what is going on in any particular game, manage to make the necessary corrections, as they have had to do in recent games.
Chicago Will Be Without Key Players Vs. Lynx
They will need to come out firing from the opening tip. They have a balanced roster, both starters and bench players, and everyone will need to step up with their collective feet on the gas. As of this writing, the Lynx looks to be at full strength, and the Sky will be without Angel Reese, Diamond DeShields, and Elizabeth Williams.
At this point in the season, it is more about playing your heart out rather than trying to come up with some new miracle solution for a win. The Mystics held Chicago to 35.7% shooting. That won’t cut it against Minnesota. They conceded 19 points off of 16 turnovers and had only 2 fast break points. Minnesota has been able to make the necessary corrections, and this will be a good opportunity to not have to do that and to start strong.
The Sky will face The Phoenix Mercury after the Lynx at home, and end their season on the road at Atlanta and Connecticut. The Lynx travel to New York and Connecticut and then will end the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Sparks. The roller coaster is picking up steam, so hang on!
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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