It's a given you can't take too much out of a preseason game. But, after the Lynx had thrashed a Chicago Sky team still awaiting the return of two key players from Europe 87-58 Saturday at Target Center, a few things appeared clear:
• Maya Moore looks very sharp. Having played a half-season in Russia, having just landed in the Twin Cities on Friday, she played 24-plus minutes Saturday, scoring 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
"It's refreshing to come back to this," Moore said.
It was the Lynx's first game in Target Center since Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals.
• The Lynx's retooled bench, with its guard depth, could be the real deal. Seimone Augustus and Lindsay Whalen combined for 14 points and six assists in relatively brief stints. But backups Danielle Robinson (six points, five assists), Tanisha Wright (a plus-22 in just 14½ minutes) and Alexis Jones (14 points on 5-for-8 shooting) give coach Cheryl Reeve options; Saturday there were many three-guard sets, with Moore at power forward. Get used to it. Robinson has the speed, Wright the defense, Jones the shot.
"They're playing well together,'' Reeve said. "I like the contrast we have in that guard group."
Reeve liked the offense's flow, save for the 19 turnovers. She liked the perimeter defense but was not pleased with the help defense in the post. But now the Lynx have a week to prepare for next Sunday's regular-season opener vs. Los Angeles.
Note
• Backup post Lynetta Kizer left the game with a sore back and did not return.
KENT YOUNGBLOOD
