Missing the Lynx? Contrary to some reports that Mystics' leading scorer Alana Beard (18.9 ppg) will not return to the line-up until after the All Star break, the team still lists her as day-to-day. The BasketCases have learned from a reliable source that Alana's status for tonight's 8 PM game against the Minnesota Lynx (WRC 1260 AM) at the Target Center is still uncertain. Alana will be testing her injured ankle a couple of hours before the tip-off to determine if she's ready to play.

In any event, the Mystics will once again be without their second leading scorer, DeLisha Milton-Jones (12.8 ppg), who remains on the Injured List. If Alana is unable to play tonight, the team hopes that Alana will be ready to return to action in one or both of this weekend's games at the Verizon Center.

At home on May 27th, Alana scored 25 points to lead the Mystics to a relatively easy win over the Lynx (90-75). Latasha "Tot" Byears posted career highs (20 points and 14 rebounds) in that earlier meeting. With or without Alana, the Mystics will certainly need a big night from their other veteran players (including Tot, Chas, C-Rob, Kia and Nikki T) --- who certainly stepped up BIG in the gutsy win over Phoenix Sunday night --- in order to complete the season sweep of Minny.

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One place the BasketCases can guarantee you won't be seeing Alana is in the starting line-up at this year's All-Star game. The starters --- voted by the fans --- were announced today on WNBA.com. Becky Hammon of the NY Liberty will be starting for the East at the 2-guard position. The other Eastern Conference starters are Indy's Tamika Catchings and three players from the Sun: Nykesha Sales, Margo Dydek and Lindsay Whalen.