Lynx guard Danielle Robinson still believes her career three-point total should be three, not two.
Robinson, as you likely know, made her first two, official, three-point shots ever in WNBA play in Minnesota's 22-point victory at Indiana Wednesday.
It was something that was bound to happen. Robinson – who entered the season 0-for-33 from three in her first six seasons – has been encouraged to shoot the three by Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, and Robinson spent her off-season building that shot.
Still, after Reeve jokingly said at the start of the season that she'd bet her house on the fact Robinson would hit one this year, it's nice to have that pressure off.
"That wasn't going to happen,'' Robinson said of Reeve having to follow through on the bet. Robinson was talking after the team's morning shootaround preparing for tonight's game against Las Vegas at Target Center. "Trust me, even if it took a half-court heave, it was going to happen, OK?''
Well, it did happen Wednesday. Twice. She took a pass from Maya Moore and hit a 22-footer with 4:04 left in the first quarter, giving the Lynx a 17-8 lead. Then she got another, from a Sylvia Fowles assist, with 7:24 left in the fourth quarter.
After having waited so long, how did that first one feel?
"I knew it was going in,'' Robinson said. "When it left my hand it felt really, really good. I'm sad the fans didn't get to see the first one live, but hopefully I'll give 'em one tonight.''
Robinson still believes the first one should have come against the Los Angeles Sparks at Target Center last week. She hit a three, but an official whistled her for having a foot partially out of bounds. Robinson said someone sent her a picture of the shot, and her feet are both in bounds.
But, better late than never.
"I was mad I had one taken away,'' she said. "So I had to redeem myself a little bit.''
Here are some other notes from today's morning shoot:
--Both Rebekkah Brunson (thigh) and Cecilia Zandalasini (ankle) are still listed as questionable for tonight. Both were at the shoot, and both were in uniform, but it appeared Zandalasini was doing more on the court. We'll know more pre-game. If Brunson cant' play, we'll likely see Endy MIyem's second straight start.
--Recently-signed forward/center Erlana Larkins was on the court today, her right knee in a brace. She signed a seven-day contract with the Lynx. But – if she stays healthy – Larkins could stick with the team the rest of the season. The Lynx like her toughness and her ability to rebound – Larkins played some tough defense and rebounded well for Indiana in two finals against the Lynx. She was part of the 2012 Indiana team that beat the Lynx in the finals, and was on the 2015 team that lost to the Lynx in the finals in five games.
"It feels a little different, being on the other side,'' Larkins said. "But I'm just happy to be back playing. I want to take on whatever role they need me to do here.''
Larkins sustained a bone bruise on her knee while playing overseas last winter. She said she had other options to sign with WNBA teams, but the Lynx were the only team willing to be patient and wait for her knee to be ready to go.
She said it is, finally. So what will she bring to the table?
"The same thing I always bring,'' she said. "Just intensity, tenacity, toughness and – most importantly – rebounding. I'll score from time to time. Other than that, I'm here to be that puzzle piece they might be missing.''
It's likely the Lynx will go slow in working Larkins into the mix. But, knee willing, she could see good minutes backing up Brunson.
