Bad news on the Katie Smith front: torn cartilege will keep her out of the Olympics.

This isn't much of a problem for Team USA. She was their best three-point shooter, and it would be great having her out there, but they've been surviving quite well without her, and the team is just too good for the loss of any one player (except maybe Lisa) to matter much. When Diana Taurasi is your understudy, that's when you know you kick ass.

This is, however, a huge problem for the Lynx. Katie certainly won't be ready September 1, and it's unclear whether she'll be back at all. Going into the stretch run, they need her. The rookies are doing awesome, but they can't hold off Seattle, Houston, and the rest on their own.

It's another blow to a franchise that deserves a few breaks.