Howard: Let’s circle back to the Lynx and Sparks. Mike, you were there for Game 2.
I’d like to know what you think of how the two teams stand in relation to one another now.
Mike Peden: Judging from the post-game reaction, both teams gave off the notion that they could see each other in the playoffs again; neither side was too high or too low.
However, the Lynx offense has been less efficient without Whalen running the point. Renee Montgomery is doing her best, but she’s a stronger defender than distributor. Of course, the Sparks have also been playing short-handed as of late
Howard: Really interesting how much of a drop there is. No slight of Montgomery, but Lindsay Whalen truly is a Hall of Famer.
Mike: So gauging how the two teams stack against each other is a bit difficult; I don’t expect the Lynx to struggle as much as they did down low for long
And to make note of your point, without Whalen, the two primary options at the point are Montgomery and Alexis Jones. That’s a big difference compared to Whalen/Montgomery
Lindsay: How long is whalen expected to be out?
Howard: Still to be determined, Cheryl Reeve estimated four or five weeks yesterday.
But when that starts from, I don’t know.
The good part is, the Lynx have years of experience to draw on when it comes to reintegrating Whalen into their plans.
A very different thing in DC when Elena Delle Donne returns.
Mike: It appears Whalen is unlikely to return before the regular season ends. Fortunately, they have enough distance on the Sparks to likely hang on to the top playoff spot; the Sparks missed a prime chance to tighten things up with their loss to the Liberty.
Howard: Yes, would take quite a collapse to even open the door to LA
Lindsay: Definitely — Delle Donne and Meesseman have only played 8 games together all year as starters; the Mystics are 5-3 in those games.