Lynx G Harding out for remainder of season

Jul 12, 2007 - 2:08 AM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Lynx announced on Wednesday that guard Lindsey Harding will miss the remainder of the 2007 season after an MRI earlier in the day confirmed a tear to the ACL in her left knee.

Harding suffered the injury in the third quarter of Tuesday's game at the Washington Mystics.

She will undergo surgery to repair the ligament at a later date. "It is extremely upsetting to see my first season in the WNBA end this way," Harding said. "I would definitely like to thank all of the Lynx fans for all of their support. One thing you can count on from me is that I will work as hard as I can to rehab my knee, and I will definitely be back next season better than ever."

Harding, the first overall pick of the 2007 WNBA Draft, leads all rookies in scoring at 11.7 points per game and tops the rookie class at 3.9 assists per game.

"We are incredibly disappointed for Lindsey, who was well on her way to contending for the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year award," Minnesota Coach Don Zierden said. "Lindsey's fearless and competitive approach to the game is exactly the way she will attack her rehabilitation. We are confident she will return to the Lynx in top form next season."

Harding faces a rehabilitation of six to nine months and is expected to return to full health in time for training camp in April 2008.