Lynx Set to Return to Action Saturday Night vs. Washington at Target Center
Published on August 28, 2008 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Minnesota Lynx News Release
Lynx vs. Mystics - Saturday, August 30 - 7 p.m. - Target Center Minnesota returns to the court Saturday night following a 33-day layoff due to the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The Washington Mystics will be Minnesota's opponent for the first time this 2008 season. Washington comes to Target Center 10-16, two games back of Indiana for the fourth and final playoff spot in the WNBA's Eastern Conference. The Lynx stand at an even 13-13, 1.5 games back of Sacramento and Los Angeles for the Western Conference's final playoff spot. Saturday's contest marks the return of former Lynx player Eshaya Murphy to Target Center. The second-year guard has been traded twice this season - from Minnesota to Detroit, and finally from Detroit to Washington. The Lynx are 7-8 all time vs. Washington, including 3-4 at home. Minnesota's last win came via an 84-74 decision back on July 5, 2006 at Target Center. Washington's Alana Beard comes into Saturday night averaging a team-high 16.0 ppg. Nakia Sanford, whom the Lynx signed to an offer sheet in the offseason, leads the Mystics in rebounding, averaging 6.2 rpg. Saturday's game can be heard on the radio home of the Lynx, BOB FM 106 with Lynx broadcaster Alan Horton on the call. Minnesota will begin a four-game road trip Monday, Sept. 1 in Los Angeles.
PATH TO THE PLAYOFFS
The Lynx are locked in a tight battle for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West, with only 1.5 games separating the third-through-sixth place teams. San Antonio sits atop the standings at 18-9, with Seattle a close second at 17-9. Los Angeles and Sacramento are tied for third at 15-12 and Houston (14-12) and the Lynx (13-13) are currently on the outside looking in. Minnesota's playoff fate will likely be determined on a crucial four-game road trip beginning Monday in Los Angeles. The west-coast swing takes Minnesota through the thick of its competition, including pivotal games in Seattle and Sacramento (not to mention Monday's tilt in L.A.). The Lynx then return to Target Center to face Indiana and Phoenix before closing out the regular season in Washington. Los Angeles' seven remaining games include contests with playoff competitors Sacramento, Houston and Seattle. Of Sacramento's remaining seven games, six will come against potential playoff teams, including two with Houston and one each with L.A., Minnesota, Seattle and San Antonio. The Comets have eight games remaining, including trips to Seattle and Sacramento and home games vs. Los Angeles and a return matchup with the Monarchs.
33 DAYS OF AUGUSTUS
The "33 Days of Augustus" will conclude today when members of the Lynx staff assist the Women Build in building a home for Habitat Humanity. Throughout the 33-day break, Lynx players have carried their message to numerous communities throughout the state. The "33 Days of Augustus" has included stops at the Metrodome, the Ronald McDonald House, the Minnesota Zoo, YWCA and People Serving People.
GOLD MEDAL THREE-PACK
Fans can attend the final three regular season games in one convenient ticket package. The Gold Medal 3-Pack is $60 and includes playoff priority and the chance to meet Seimone. The package includes one $45 ticket to each of the last three games, a $135 value for $60. Turn to lynxbasketball.com for more information.
SEIMONE WINS GOLD
In the first Olympic Games of her already illustrious career, Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus earned her first gold medal as a member of the U.S. Women's Basketball Team when they defeated Australia, 92-65, Saturday, August 23 at Wukesong Arena in Beijing, China. Augustus scored four points in reserve in the gold-medal game. She came off the bench in all eight games of the Olympics, where she totaled 63 points (7.9 ppg), 18 rebounds (2.3 rpg), 11 assists (1.4 apg), and four steals (0.5 spg) in 142 minutes of action (17.8 mpg) for the USA. She shot 27 for 58 from the floor (46.6 percent) and 9 for 11 from the free-throw line (81.8 percent). Augustus joined Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky), Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) to bring home their first Olympic gold medals. The USA became the first women's traditional team sport to claim four straight gold medals. The win, which was the USA's 33rd straight win in Olympic play dating back to 1992's bronze-medal contest, also marked the USA's third straight victory over Australia in the Olympic gold-medal game. Additionally, USA head coach Anne Donovan is the first player turned head coach to win gold as both a player (1984, 1988) and a coach, while also collecting gold as an assistant coach in 2004.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 28, 2008
- Lynx Set to Return to Action Saturday Night vs. Washington at Target Center - Minnesota Lynx
- Ching, Clark called up to U.S. national team for qualifiers - Houston Comets
- Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker named Hanns-G âGo Beyond' Rookie of the Month for July - WNBA
- WNBA re-launches 2008 season - WNBA
- T-Mobile to present 2008 WNBA Most Valuable Player Award - WNBA
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