Minnesota Lynx to Host Olympic Viewing Party

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL — In honor of Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus’ perfect run though the semifinals of the Olympics as a member of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Basketball Team, the Lynx organization will host a special Olympic Viewing Party at NBA City on Saturday, Aug. 23.

The celebration is part of the “33 Days of Augustus,” a comprehensive community outreach plan featuring nearly 40 events and a host of media appearances throughout the 33-day Olympic break, and will feature the opportunity for fans to join Lynx players, coaches, and staff to watch Augustus compete in the gold-medal game.

Saturday’s festivities will begin with the bronze-medal game between Russia and the China at 6:30 a.m. CDT and continue through the gold-medal game between the United States and Australia, which is scheduled to tip off at 9 a.m. CDT. A breakfast buffet will be served. Admission is free for season-ticket holders. All others will be charged $10. Doors into NBA City will open at 6:15 a.m.

“We’re all so proud to be Seimone’s teammate and we are looking forward to watching her compete for the gold medal on Saturday,” said Lynx guard Candice Wiggins. “The U.S. Women’s Olympic Team has done such an admirable job representing our country in Beijing and we’re all so excited to have this opportunity to cheer them on to Gold with all of the Lynx fans that will join us on Saturday.”

Augustus and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Team have compiled an impressive 7-0 record through semifinal play. The perfect record includes preliminary-round wins over the Czech Republic (97-57), China (108-83), Mali (97-41) and Spain (93-55), a 104-60 quarterfinal win over South Korea, and a 67-52 semifinal triumph over Russia. Augustus has come off the bench in all seven games thus far, averaging 8.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 17.9 minutes of action per game.

Augustus and the Lynx have eight games remaining on their 2008 schedule and currently sit at 13-13, just 1½ games back of Sacramento for the fourth and final playoff spot in the WNBA’s Western Conference. They will return to action on Saturday, Aug. 30 when they play host to the Washington Mystics at 7:00 p.m. at Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx are scheduled to begin their push for the 2008 WNBA Playoffs on Saturday, Aug. 30, when they play host to the Washington Mystics at Target Center at 7 p.m. Be a part of the playoff push by calling 612-673-8400, e-mailing tickets@lynxbasketball.com or visiting www.lynxbasketball.com.