6 p.m. vs. Chicago • FSN, 106.1-FM
Chicago remade team in offseason
Preview: While the Lynx return with essentially the same roster — with only one new player in the top-nine rotation — the Sky is a team in flux. The biggest reason is the offseason trade of star and one-time league MVP Elena Delle Donne to Washington. Chicago received center Stefanie Dolson and Kahleah Copper and Washington's first-round draft pick, which turned out to be Alaina Coates, who is out recovering from ankle surgery. The Sky, a playoff team last year, has a new coach and eight new players.
Players to watch: The Lynx's entire starting lineup returns, and three of those five — F Maya Moore, G Lindsay Whalen and G Seimone Augustus — didn't play overseas this year. For Moore and Augustus, it was the first time. So it will be interesting to see how Moore and Augustus come out of the gate. Coach Cheryl Reeve is expecting even more from C Sylvia Fowles than last season (13.9 points, 8.5 rebounds). The Sky is expected to go with a very big starting five, with four players 6-2 or taller and only one true guard in veteran Cappie Pondexter, who averaged 12.9 points last season. F Keisha Hampton was with the Lynx last season, but traded to Chicago the day after the draft.
Injuries: The Lynx report no injuries. Coates (ankle surgery) likely won't join the Sky until midseason.
Kent Youngblood
