Because of a change in flight time, the Lynx weren't able to practice Thursday before heading to Connecticut for Friday's against the Sun. Because the team got Wednesday off after beating the Sun by two points Tuesday, that means the team won't have practiced before tomorrow's rematch.
The fact that the foe, the Sun, is familiar is good.
But coach Cheryl Reeve would have liked the ability to work on some of the problems that have plagued the Lynx despite the team's start. At 4-0 the Lynx are the only undefeated team in the WNBA.
The Lynx beat the Sun Tuesday thanks to a 26-8 run that started mid-way through the third quarter and ended early in the fourth with the Lynx leading.
In the other 33-plus minutes of the game? The Lynx had trouble getting good shots, had big trouble taking care of the ball and were out-scored by 16 points.
After the film review, here's what stood out for Reeve:
--Spacing. "Our spacing wasn't great,'' Reeve said. "Our decision-making wasn't great. It was a matter of just not making simple plays. That's one thing we enjoyed in New York, making simple plays.''
The Lynx tried to force things vs. Connecticut, especially out of the pick and roll. The result: A season-high 22 turnovers, which were turned into 31 points by the Sun, which had a chance to win or tie the game at the end.
The Lynx still have the best net rating in the league. But they are the league's second most turnover-prone team in the early going; Minnesota has 40 turnovers the last two games.
--The need to manage her rotations better. Reeve talked after Tuesday's win about the fatigue she saw on the part of some of her players. Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen took the winter off. That will be good for the long run, but it appears Moore and Whalen are still working to get their game legs. Moore is shooting 31.8 percent and scoring 15.0 points per game. So far the Lynx have been carried by center Sylvia Fowles, who is scoring 21.5 points per game and shooting 59.6 percent, and Augustus.
Reeve said the team's schedule will help with that. When the team comes home to play San Antonio Sunday, it will be Minnesota's fifth game in 11 games. The best way to get into game shape is to play games. While that happens, Reeve will work hard to keep players fresh.
--Meanwhile, Reeve is confident Moore's shooting touch will return sooner than later. She likes the shots Moore is getting for the most part, especially on three-pointers. "She's definitely close.''
One final note: The WNBA announced a new method by which All-Star Game starters will be chosen. In the past it was solely based on fan voting. Under the new system the fans will account for 50 percent of the vote. Current players and coaches and a panel of basketball media will account for 25 percent each.
Fan voting starts June 13. The All-Star Game will be played in Seattle July 22.
