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Sylvia Fowles keeps double-double streak, Lynx continue activism on Day 2 of WNBA season

The Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun continued the WNBA’s social justice demonstrations when they took the court for the first of three games on Sunday from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

The WNBA season opened on Saturday with the New York Liberty’s Layshia Clarendon and the Seattle Storm’s Breanna Stewart dedicating the season to Breonna Taylor.

The Lynx opened the triple-header day with a victory over the 2019 runner-up Connecticut Sun.

Sylvia Fowles extends opening day streak

Minnesota Lynx veteran Sylvia Fowles extended her WNBA double-double record to 163 in a 77-69 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Fowles had 17 points and 18 rebounds.

It was also the fifth consecutive opening day double-double for the two-time champion and two-time finals MVP. She now has 23 career 15 point/15 rebound games, breaking her tie with Lisa Leslie and placing her one behind Tina Charles. Fowles is six rebounds away from former teammate and current Lynx assistant Rebekkah Brunson for No. 1 on the all-time list.

The Sun controlled the game early behind Alyssa Thomas (20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals) and free agent addition DeWanna Bonner (19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals). They led 37-28 at the half and 57-50 through three quarters.

The Lynx, led in part by two former UConn teammates, came back with a 27-12 final quarter. They regained their first lead since early in the game with six minutes remaining.

Napheesa Collier, the reigning rookie of the year, had 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting with eight rebounds and four assists. She had a slow start but turned it on in the fourth to open with a victory.

Rookie Crystal Dangerfield came off the bench to play 20 minutes in her first WNBA game, including the final 16 minutes of the game. She had 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting with two rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Lynx, Sun continue WNBA’s social justice honors

The Lynx and Sun, as with the six teams before them on Saturday, also stood for 26 seconds of silence to honor Taylor, a Louisville EMT who was shot and killed by police while sleeping in her apartment.

They both also left the court to stay in the locker rooms while the national anthem was played ahead of game time, the ESPN broadcast team said. It was erroneously reported by ESPN on Saturday that the Storm and Liberty left the court at the same time the national anthem was played. Rather, they were in the locker room when the anthem started.

Throughout the day players used in-game interviews and post-game Zoom conference calls with reporters to bring attention to Taylor and get justice for her.

The Liberty honored Taylor in their starting lineup graphic, putting her in at each position. Each section of the team’s post-game notes started with:

#SayHerName: It has been 134 days since Breonna Taylor was shot and killed in her own apartment. The officers responsible for her death have not been arrested.

WNBA returns for Day 2

Minnesota Lynx players lock arms with black T-shirts on that say "Say Her Name."
Minnesota Lynx players stand for 26 seconds of silence in honor of Breonna Taylor before their season opener. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Lynx and Sun opened another triple-header on Sunday.

Former Oregon star Ruthy Hebard will get her first WNBA minutes when the Chicago Sky match up against the Las Vegas Aces at 3 p.m. on ABC.

The final game will feature fellow Oregon teammate Satou Sabally, the No. 2 pick of the Dallas Wings, and rookies Bella Alarie, Tyasha Harris against the Atlanta Dream and No. 4 overall pick Chennedy Carter.

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