The first quarter hasn’t been kind to the Lynx this season. They’ve had some bad starts. None as bad as Thursday night when Sylvia Fowles tweaked the right calf that had been bothering her for over a week. It happened in the game’s first 90 seconds. Fowles was immediately subbed out and did not return.
As you can imagine, it was a big blow to the Lynx who have struggled to defend well without Fowles on the floor. Especially against a big, interior-minded team like Las Vegas. Minnesota’s defensive miscues were numerous, particularly in help situations when Aces would get into the paint.