Charges pending.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Minnesota Lynx guard Odyssey Sims was arrested for suspicion of drunken driving on June 6. Officers stopped Sims early in the morning for driving 77 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.
After detecting the presence of alcohol, a breathalyzer test showed Sims had more than twice the .08 Minnesota legal limit of alcohol in her system. Consequently, Sims now faces two charges of third-degree DUI.
“The Minnesota Lynx are aware of the reported incident involving Odyssey Sims,” the Lynx said in a statement Wednesday to the Star Tribune. “As an organization we take these matters very seriously and continue to wait for the legal process to run its course and will have further comment when appropriate.”
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“We are aware of the matter and will have further comment at the appropriate time,” a WNBA spokesperson told High Post Hoops.
Sims has been one of the Lynx’s most effective players this season, averaging 15.2 points, 4.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. Losing Sims would be understandable given the dangers of her alleged actions but the team would sorely miss her on the floor. As of Wednesday, the team has not suspended her and plans to let the legal system run its course.
What happens next
We do have a precedent for how WNBA teams handle these situations. A few examples include:
- The Phoenix Mercury suspended Diana Taurasi two games for conduct detrimental to the team in 2009 after a DUI arrest, with league input.
- Kara Braxton of the then-Detroit Shock was suspended six games in 2009 for pleading guilty to drunken driving charges. Observers should note that Braxton faced similar charges two years prior which may have contributed to the longer suspension.
- In another case involving Alexis Hornbuckle of the then-Tulsa Shock, the WNBA itself suspended her for two games after the guard pled guilty to DUI.
While the Lynx don’t want to lose Sims for any amount of time, a suspension is possible depending on the outcome of her case based on what we’ve seen in the past. Should the Lynx suspend Sims, we may see more traditional lineups with Danielle Robinson as the clear point guard and Lexie Brown as her backup.
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