The Minnesota Lynx enter a new week in the 2019 WNBA season in the middle of the pack in the league standings as they officially surpass the one-third mark in the regular season schedule.
The Lynx head into Tuesday night’s game against the Atlanta Dream with a record of 6-6 overall, sitting tied with the Los Angeles Sparks and the Chicago Sky for fifth place in the WNBA standings.
Minnesota comes into Tuesday’s game having won two of its last three games, recently blowing a double-digit lead in a loss to Dallas on Sunday afternoon in Arlington to break a two-game winning streak.
While we enter the new week, let’s answer some of the questions you have surrounding the Lynx:
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Will Odyssey Sims be suspended for the game?
— E Alps (@ealper21) June 30, 2019
Last week, we learned the news that new Lynx guard Odyssey Sims was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of drunk driving.
According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Sims was pulled over while speeding near downtown Minneapolis around 1 a.m. on June 6, with the guard later registering a .20 blood-alcohol content behind the wheel of her vehicle.
On Thursday at practice, Sims addressed the media regarding the incident.
“First off, I’d like to apologize on behalf of (Lynx owner) Glen (Taylor), Cheryl Reeve and this organization. I take full responsibility for my actions,” Sims said. “I know the consequences and I’m going to get past it and move forward. I’ll continue to play hard every day in and day out and get over it eventually.”
Lynx head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve also addressed the media prior to Sims.
“More than anything, what our team wants you all to know is that’s not who we are. It’s not who Odyssey Sims is,” Reeve said. “We made a mistake and the effect that it has on our fan base, our ownership group, those things are things that we’re really mindful of.”
There’s no doubt that this is a serious development for both Sims and the organization, and it is apparent that both sides are treating it as such.
As far as a suspension for Sims moving forward, it doesn’t appear that she will face anything of that nature. Especially since she has played in one game since the news of the arrest became public.
My guess is the WNBA and the Lynx likely will deal with any disciplinary things for Sims privately and behind closed doors.
Sims has played a large role for Minnesota since coming over via trade this offseason. She leads the team in points per game (15.8), also ranking ninth in the WNBA in the category. Sims leads the team with 5.2 assists, is tied for third with 1.3 steals and is fifth in rebounds with 3.8 per game.
Becoming a nice complementary piece alongside Sylvia Fowles, Sims will need to continue to thrive in her role for the Lynx this season to provide a nice offensive boost while maintaining her stellar defensive abilities.
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The injuries to this team is getting old and sad. Obviously no more than to those injured and the rest of the team. Just wish the @minnesotalynx could catch a break!
— Jenni Anderson (@janders32) June 30, 2019
It may be tough for any fan base to hear, but injuries happen to every team throughout the course of a season.
It’s not just the Lynx, every team is currently and has been dealing with injuries this summer. It just so happens that these injuries for Minnesota have started to pile up all at once.
The lack of depth due to injuries was definitely apparent and you could see the impact it had on the Lynx starting unit in Sunday’s loss to Dallas on the road.
With Minnesota having just eight players available to play against the Wings, every starter logged at least 32 or more minutes in the game and you could see players looked gassed near the end of the game. In a close game such as Sunday’s, those things play a key role down the stretch.
The Lynx have caught a tough break through two months of the regular season when it comes to injuries and having to try and overcome them, but given that issue, they are still right in the heart of the WNBA standings and will be getting some key help back soon.
Hang in there, Lynx fans.
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Not knowing the logistics of how it works, do you think the Lynx need to/will bring on a new player?
— Nathan Hanson (@Nateanite) July 1, 2019
Feeding off the previous topic of injuries that Jenni mentioned above, Minnesota has had to deal with a depleted roster as of late due to those injuries.
With Minnesota now having two players out for the season in rookie Jessica Shepard (ACL) and Karima Christmas-Kelly (knee), it’s likely that the organization will look to add a few pieces to give it some depth.
One position that the Lynx could address is the power forward position after the departure of both Shepard and Christmas-Kelly. Napheesa Collier and Stephanie Talbot have been trying to fill in those roles in the meantime.
One thing to keep an eye on and look forward to as well is the eventual return of Cecilia Zandalasini and Temi Fagbenle, who are still finishing up commitments overseas right now.
When those two players return to the rotation for Minnesota, that will help tremendously with the depth on the team, especially within the second unit.
As always, thanks for submitting your questions and for reading, Lynx fans. Enjoy the week.
Submit Your Lynx Mailbag Question
Our Mitchell Hansen will continue to publish Lynx mailbag’s every other Monday throughout the course of the 2019 WNBA season here at Zone Coverage.
Have a question surrounding the Lynx that you would like answered? Submit them by tweeting at him @M_Hansen13! The next Lynx mailbag will be on Monday, July 15.
