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WNBA Team Releases Former First-Round Pick After Chicago Sky Game originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Minnesota Lynx are shaking things up, and they didn’t waste any time doing it. After coming up just short in a hard-fought 87-81 loss to the Chicago Sky earlier today, the team made a pretty big roster move that’s making waves.
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The Lynx announced that they’re parting ways with first-round pick Alissa Pili, who’s been with the squad since 2024. It’s never easy seeing a young player get waived, especially one with so much promise, but sometimes teams feel like it’s the change they need to get back on track.
Meghan Hall reported the same on X saying, “Couple of moves: The Sparks waived Mercedes Russell. Per the WNBA transactions page, the Minnesota Lynx waived Alissa Pili. Pili was drafted 8th overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.”
Pili was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx as the eighth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. The team gave her a warm welcome too, hosting an event to introduce her to local Indigenous and Polynesian community members, with big names like Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan and former Vikings player Esera Tuaolo showing up.
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Minnesota Lynx forward Alissa Pili (35) works around Los Angeles Sparks forward Emma Cannon (32) in the first quarter at Target Center.Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
She made her WNBA debut against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena back on May 14, 2024, clocking in 10 minutes and grabbing a rebound. So far this season, Pili’s played in 14 games, averaging about 5.9 minutes on the floor with 2.2 points, 1.2 boards, and 0.2 assists a game. It will be interesting to see which teams step forward with an offer for Pili.
Related: WNBA Fans React to Historic WNBA Expansion Announcement
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
