It may be a while longer before Minnesota Lynx fans see Seimone Augustus return to action. The Star-Tribune reported on Wednesday night that Augustus will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday in Minneapolis. As of now, Augustus is out indefinitely.
UPDATED 12:08 PM EST The team released this statement on Augustus: ” The Minnesota Lynx today announced that guard Seimone Augustus underwent arthroscopic surgery to address the significant symptoms she’s been experiencing since training camp opened. The procedure was performed by Lynx Head Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Nancy Cummings at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Augustus will be sidelined indefinitely and a further update will be provided when appropriate.”
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Augustus had missed the Lynx’s first two regular season games but was in attendance for them. With arthroscopic surgery, there is the possibility for her to return this season when she is hopefully free of knee pain.
This news does give the Lynx more time to evaluate how Augustus will fit into the rotation once she does return. Danielle Robinson and Odyssey Sims are beginning to establish themselves well in the starting lineup. Lexie Brown has begun to carve out her niche on this team coming off the bench and Napheesa Collier has impressed early in her career.
The Lynx also have veteran forward Karima Christmas-Kelly who is nearing her return from knee surgery last season. When you factor in the play of Damiris Dantas and rookie Jessica Shepard, the Lynx have a lot of competition for playing time.
None of this is to say that the Lynx don’t still need Augustus. The current roster doesn’t have a ton of players to handle the ball and create their own shot, especially on the perimeter, and Augustus provides both. Her experience with the coaching staff may also prove useful with the bevy of new and young players on the roster.
Having the depth that the Lynx do is great in a situation like this because it allows them to sustain success when key players miss time and allow them to slowly ramp them back up to speed when they recover. It seems that this is a minor procedure for Augustus but certainly worth observing since she figures to be a key player in the team’s rotation.
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