CHICAGO - The Lynx waived forward Alissa Pili on Saturday, just ahead of the WNBA’s July 13 cutdown deadline — the date when nonguaranteed contracts become fully guaranteed for the season. Pili, the No.

Ariel Atkins scored 27 points, Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso each had a double-double and the Chicago Sky beat the Minnesota Lynx 87-81.

The Minnesota Lynx lost just their third game of the season after Chicago Sky stars Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso dominated with double-doubles.

Minnesota will surely hope to emerge out of the gates better defensively on Monday. The Lynx surrendered 29 points in the first frame in Saturday’s nationally-televised bout, and 28 in the second as Chicago built a 13-point halftime advantage on the strength of 57% shooting.

An unbalanced slate, early tipoffs and repeated matchups have coaches frustrated. Meanwhile, the Sky are managing Angel Reese’s minutes as she takes on a bigger role.

Alex Rodriguez remembers a very specific lesson that longtime New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner taught him over the years.

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