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Lynx receive roster exemption, sign Asia Taylor to deal

By Jared Hines

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - May 12: Asia Taylor #31 of the Minnesota Lynx poses for portraits during 2014 Media Day on May 12, 2014 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx LifeTime Fitness Training Center at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - May 12: Asia Taylor #31 of the Minnesota Lynx poses for portraits during 2014 Media Day on May 12, 2014 at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx LifeTime Fitness Training Center at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Injuries continue to force Minnesota’s hand

Just hours after official word that Karima Christmas-Kelly was going to miss the rest of the 2019 season due to injury, the Minnesota Lynx announced the signing of free-agent Forward Asia Taylor.

The move came ahead of the July 2 game vs. Atlanta where Damiris Dantas was ruled out for her second straight game with a calf injury. Dantas joins Christmas-Kelly, Seimone Augustus and Jessica Shepard on the injury report, leaving Cheryl Reeve’s team depleted at the forward position. According to Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune, the injury to Dantas could keep her out for two or more weeks. 

Taylor was originally drafted in the third round of the 2014 WNBA Draft by Minnesota, bouncing around to Connecticut, Washington, and Indiana before making her way back to the Lynx with the signing on July 1. In her 64 career games in the league, Taylor has averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds. She will look to make an instant impact for Minnesota, who continues to struggle with injury concerns, leaving the Lynx with a “next woman up” approach.

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The signing of Taylor comes courtesy of a roster exemption from the WNBA, allowing teams the ability to sign players when multiple injuries prevent a team from playing a completely healthy roster. The team is expected to receive another roster exemption as soon as Tuesday, allowing Minnesota the ability to sign one more player if need be. Taylor most likely won’t play in Tuesday’s game against the Dream, but in a season full of surprises, saying anything is certain would be a mistake.

Stephanie Talbot started in Dantas’ place on June 30, playing over 33 minutes after playing just 7:04 in the previous three games combined. In the loss to the Wings, Talbot had 13 points, shooting 33-percent from the field including three of nine from beyond the arc. She will most likely start again for Minnesota on Tuesday night.

Tuesday’s home game will be the only July home game until July 14. Between now and then, the Lynx will play Connecticut, Chicago, and Atlanta before returning home in 12 days for a matchup against Phoneix. The Lynx finish the month with three of the last four games at Target Center.

Taylor took to her Instagram story on Monday night, commenting on the support that she has gotten now that she is back where her professional career began. She also posted a video from the Lynx practice facility, prove that she is ready to jump right in and try to contribute.

The Lynx also announced Tuesday they had added former University of Minnesota standout Kenisha Bell.

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