Powers’ Lynx tenure marred by injuries

Sports Odds and Ends

Aerial Powers is in her eighth WNBA season and her third with Minnesota.

This season, the Lynx are off to a rocky start so far, still finding their stride on the court both offensively and defensively. It might seem natural that the 5’11” Powers, a career 11-point scorer who plays with a lot of emotion, would be invaluable as a starter or top reserve.  

However, thus far, Powers’ year has been up (a season-high 20 points off the bench at Phoenix on May 25), and down (not playing in the second half of the season opener or the second game of the year).  

After a six-point loss at home against Atlanta last month, where Powers scored 10 points all in the first half, a reporter asked Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve if Powers had finally earned a regular spot in the rotation. The coach simply said that playing time is earned at practice, and at the time Powers has had some good practices in her estimation. 

But even with her 20-point performance on the road, Powers’ on-court time has been minimal—less than 30 minutes in total playing time. Some are asking why.

When we asked Powers if she sees herself a key member of the Lynx this season, she said, “No, I don’t,” in a frustrated tone. “I think it’s minutes I deserve, but it’s not my decision. It is coach’s decision.”

Drafted by Dallas fifth overall out of Michigan State in 2016, the Detroit-born Powers made her first start against Minnesota in her rookie season after scoring 20 points against the Lynx a month earlier. She finished her first W season on the All-Rookie team, third in scoring, steals and three-point shooting, and second in made free throws among first-year players.

The Wings traded Powers to Washington midway through the 2018 season for Minneapolis native Tayler Hill. She then became a key member of the Mystics’ 2019 championship team.  

Powers signed with Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent during the 2020 off-season. She has a game that can either excite you or frustrate you, sometimes both at the same time.

Last season Powers led the team in scoring. She also earned her first-ever Player-of-the-Week honor and played in 35 games with 31 starts.  

Her Lynx tenure has also been marred by injuries (strained left hamstring and a torn UCL in her right thumb), that limited her to just 14 games in 2021. During the recent off-season, she stressed that she worked tirelessly on her outside shooting. Last weekend, Powers did not play against Indiana due to a sore right ankle.

Powers’ status the rest of this season, whether she plays more or not, remains uncertain.

It’s great to make history

Last Sunday, Satou Sabally (Dallas) and Nyara Sabally (New York) played against each other for the first time as pros. Satou was drafted second overall in 2020 by the Wings, and Nyara was selected fifth overall by the Liberty in 2022. The German-born siblings were former teammates at the University of Oregon.

The Sabally sisters joined Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, and DeWanna Bonner and her sister Erica McCall as Black players and sisters in the WNBA, who also played against each other during their pro careers.  

“It definitely is historic. We’re happy to be on the same list as the Ogwumikes because they are quality people, smart sisters, and also played in the Pac-12,” Satou told the MSR during a Zoom media call on June 9. “I think we are in great company. It is always great to make history.”