After being sorely outrebounded last season, Minnesota beefed up its frontcourt by adding Michele Van Gorp from Portland and Val Whiting-Raymond from Detroit.

Leading scorer Katie Smith poured in 31 points and reigning Rookie of the Year Betty Lennox added 17 as Minnesota posted an 82-65 victory at Portland on Thursday.

Phoenix seeks its first win after dropping its first two games.

The Mercury lost in their opener, 81-62 to Utah, and followed with an 83-70 defeat at Seattle on Thursday.

Coach Cynthia Cooper may be still be without the Mercury's leading scorer and rebounder from last season, Brandy Reed. General manager Seth Sulka suspended Reed before the game until further notice due to conduct detrimental to the team.

Reed was a holdout until days after the league's deadline and evenutally signed her $50,000 contract. She had three points in the season-opening loss on Wednesday.