Lindsay Whalen Named Western Conference Player of the Month

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The WNBA today named Minnesota Lynx point guard Lindsay Whalen its Western Conference Player of the Month for August. Whalen, won earns the monthly award for the first time in her career, is the third different Lynx player to earn the month ly honor this season, joining Rebekkah Brunson (June) and Seimone Augustus (July).

Over 13 games in August, Whalen averaged 14.2 points and 5.8 assists per game, both tops among Western Conference point guards. Whalen hit on 50.7 percent of her shots over the month, leading the Lynx to an 11-2 record. Whalen registered double-figure scoring nights in 11 of 13 games (9-2) and 5+ assists 10 times this month (9-1). Whalen’s month was highlighted by a season-best 24-point, nine-assist outing in an 84-78 Lynx win at Los Angeles on August 7. The 2011 WNBA All-Star closed out her month with 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting as the Lynx defeated Washington Tuesday night, 73-56.

Highlights of Whalen’s month include:
August 7 at Los Angeles: Scored a season-high 24 points and dished out eight assists in Minnesota’s 84-78 win at Los Angeles.
August 12 at Chicago: Registered 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting as the Lynx won their single-season franchise record eighth road win of the season.
August 16 at Connecticut: Totaled 16 of her 20 points in the second quarter in a loss to Connecticut. The 16 points were two off Seimone Augustus’ franchise record for points in a quarter (18).
August 26 at San Antonio: Dished out nine assists to go along with 14 points as the Lynx defeated San Antonio 85-75.
August 30 vs. Washington: Poured in 17 of her 21 points in the first half in Minnesota’s 73-56 win over Washington. Whalen made her first nine shots of the floor and finished 10-of-12 shooting.

Now in her eighth year in the WNBA, Whalen is enjoying perhaps the best season of her career. Through 30 games, she is averaging career highs in scoring (14.3 ppg), assists (5.8 apg), field goal percentage (.521) and three-point field goal accuracy (.436). Whalen, who earlier this season became the sixth player in the WNBA history to record 3,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists, leads the WNBA in assists per game, and is first among all guards in field goal percentage (fifth-best in the league). If Whalen were to finish the season averaging 14.0 points and 6.0 assists per game, she would become just the second player in WNBA history to accomplish that feat over a full season. Whalen needs just nine assists over her last four games to beak her career high and the Lynx franchise record for assists in a single season (184, 2010).

The Lynx, winners of six straight and 17 out of their last 19, can clinch the best overall record in the WNBA and home court advantage through the 2011 WNBA Playoffs with a win Friday night vs. New York. Tip at Target Center is set for 7:00 pm. With four games remaining, the Lynx (24-6) have a chance of tying the single-season WNBA record for wins (28 – Los Angeles, 2001 and 2002; Seattle, 2010).

Lower-level single-game tickets to Friday night’s game and the Western Conference Semifinals can be purchased for as low as $10. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for as little as $8. Tickets can be purchased by calling 612-673-8400, visiting the Lynx website at www.lynxbasketball.com and stopping by the Target Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets can also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-877-WNBA-TIX (962-2849).