The WNBA’s Olympic break is coming at the right time for the Atlanta Dream and Minnesota Lynx. The teams meet for a matinee in Minneapolis on Wednesday, with one team guaranteed to end a losing streak.
Atlanta (7-16) is on a seven-game skid, the longest in the league heading into the hiatus for the All-Star Game and Paris Olympics. The last two losses were by double digits.
The catalysts for the Dream’s downfall are injuries to All-Star Rhyne Howard and two-time WNBA champion Jordin Canada. Howard’s ankle injury on June 19 put the third-year star out indefinitely. Canada suffered a broken finger on June 30, putting her out until after the break.
In their absence, the Dream signed a pair of young free agent guards, with Maya Caldwell standing out despite the team’s slump. In her fifth straight start on Sunday, Caldwell led the Dream with a career high 19 points in a loss to the Seattle Storm.
“They called me, and I got the opportunity and every time I step between those lines, whether it’s in practice or in the game, I just feel the utmost gratitude,” Caldwell said. “I just try to take advantage of all 40 minutes as best I can.”
Minnesota (16-8) is on a smaller skid of two games and also is dealing with a key injury. Lynx star Napheesa Collier’s absence is evident. Both losses saw their opponents outscore the Lynx in the paint, a place where Collier shines offensively and defensively.
Minnesota’s offense is struggling. In the last two games, the Lynx shot a season-low 30.6 percent against Seattle and 38.6 percent against the Indiana Fever on July 12.
“Really since the Commissioner’s Cup, our offense has not been really all that elite,” head coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Lots of 3s in there, lots of 30 percent level games. It’s hard to win in this league, no matter where you’re playing.”
Collier’s presence on the court Wednesday is a gametime decision, with the forward’s return to play from plantar fasciitis unclear. She could return against Atlanta or remain on the sidelines to prepare for the All-Star Game and Olympics.
Minnesota won both previous meetings against Atlanta this season, each time by 13 points.
–Field Level Media
