The Minnesota Lynx have ruled out team leader Sylvia Fowles indefinitely following an MRI that confirmed a cartilage injury in her right knee.
The team announced Thursday afternoon that Fowles would sit out Friday’s game against the Washington Mystics, then followed up with details of the injury. Fowles was injured during Tuesday’s 88-69 loss to the New York Liberty.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said Thursday that she does not think Fowles’ injury will require surgery, per SB nation site Canis Hoopus. Reeve did not say when Fowles is expected to return.
The center is in the midst of what she has said will be her last WNBA season. Fowles has led a struggling Lynx through 12 games with 16.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She is the only player in the league averaging a double-double.
In her 15th season, Fowles sits 10th in the league in points per game and first in rebounds per game.
Back in early May, she became the 13th WNBA player to reach 6,000 points in her career. One of the best defensive players in the WNBA, Fowles has been one of the few bright spots this season for the Lynx, who are currently 3-9 and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Damiris Dantas could make her season debut for the Lynx in Friday’s game, and Moriah Jefferson is listed as probable with a left quadriceps strain.