MINNEAPOLIS -- The Lynx will have a couple more tuneup contests than originally planned before the 2013-14 season gets rolling.
The WNBA announced Wednesday the defending league champions will be one of four teams to compete in the inaugural WNBA Preseason Tournament next month. Minnesota will join the Chicago Sky, Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury in a four-game exhibition showcase at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World near Orlando, Fla.
The tournament and coinciding clinics, practices and autographs sessions May 9-11 will take place in conjunction with the AAU Spring Fling II girls tournament, which is expected to draw about 1,500 youth participants to the Disney campus.
"The WNBA is thrilled to be working with AAU and Disney to bring young women who are learning the game and some of today's top talent in women's basketball to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex," WNBA President Laurel J. Richie said in a release. "This weekend of tournaments will provide a unique opportunity to showcase the current and future talent in our sport."
Inside HP Field House, the Lynx and Mercury -- who met in last year's Western Conference finals -- will clash at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, preceded by Chicago and Indiana's matchup. The winners of both games will meet in a championship bout at noon Sunday, May 11.
The two first-round losers will face off in a 9:30 a.m. consolation contest the same day.
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