Lynx at a glance: At 3-0, Minnesota is the WNBA's last unbeaten team and off to the best start in franchise history. The past two victories have come on the road, at Houston and Chicago, a notable feat since the Lynx won only three away games last season. Seimone Augustus scored a game-high 19 in Minnesota's 75-69 victory over the Sky on Thursday, but three teammates also were in double figures for the league's highest scoring (85.67 points per game) and best shooting (47.5 percent on FGs) team. The Lynx bench continues to be productive; it scored 32 points against the Sky. Charde Houston and Candice Wiggins, two rookie reserves, had 15 and 11 points, respectively. Veteran guard Anna DeForge made all three of her shots from behind the arc and also had 15 points.
Phoenix at a glance: What is wrong with the Mercury? The defending league champion is 0-3. Phoenix still has two all-star guards in Cappie Pondexter (25.3 ppg) and Diana Taurasi (22.3). But new coach Corey Gaines said the Mercury really misses 6-1 forward Penny Taylor and her 17.8 ppg inside last season. She is practicing with the Australian national team for the Olympics. Phoenix is averaging 84.33 ppg -- second best in the league -- but giving up a league-high 89 ppg. Kelly Miller, the ex-Rochester Mayo star, also starts in Phoenix's three-guard system and is averaging 8.3 ppg. The Mercury, 3-1 against the Lynx last season, has had an eight-day layoff to regroup.
ROMAN AUGUSTOVIZ
