SneakerReporter WNBA Series Preview: Minnesota Lynx vs Connecticut Sun

SneakerReporter WNBA Series Preview: Minnesota Lynx vs Connecticut Sun

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by | Sep 13, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The WNBA Playoffs are upon us and we got one of the best 1st Round matchups you will see this year when Connecticut takes on the Minnesota Lynx. The regular season series is 3-1 as the Lynx dropped 3 out of the 4 games to the Sun but this is a different Lynx team. Those games were right before this team started gelling as they’ve played tremendously from August through right now. The Lynx have been one of the hot teams coming down the stretch.

The Connecticut Sun finished with a record of 27-13 and have been playing without one of their key pieces Brionna Jones who got hurt in June. Brionna Jones was there for the 1st matchup between the Lynx & Sun but she wasn’t there for a couple of those matchups.

 

Missing Jones has put more on Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonners plate but both have been up to the task. In the regular season Alyssa Thomas averaged 15.5 PPG, 9.9 REB, and 7.9 AST and DeWanna Bonner averaged 17.4 PPG, 5.6 REB, and 2.2 AST. Both will be a key part to how far this Sun team makes it in the WNBA Playoffs. During the season in the matchups against the Lynx both Thomas/Bonner combined to average 19 PPG, 8.8 REB, and 6.1 AST. Both Bonner and Thomas are All Stars and will be looking to apply pressure all series long as it starts tonight in Connecticut. Thomas has played great against the Lynx with triple double like numbers so the Lynx will need to slow her down if they want to be successful in this series.

On the Minnesota Lynx side of things Napheesa Collier has been a Superstar all season long. Collier finished the regular season with 21.5 PPG, 8.5 REB, and 2.5 AST. Everything that Coach Reeve has asked of Collier she’s met the challenge and answered with Mamba Mentality. Napheesa has been a true leader and has shown that her all around game is top tier throughout the whole league. One thing that Napheesa was able to do this season was put her two way playing ability on display. Collier has been blocking shots and making shots for the Lynx all season. They will need their Superstar to show up this series as on the season she’s averaging 25.5 PPG, 4.5 REB, and 3 AST in 2 games against the Connecticut Sun.

You can’t have the Lynx success without newly extentioned Kayla McBride as all season long the veteran has showed up on both ends of the floor as well. The Lynx will go as far as Kayla and Napheesa bring them this postseason. Kayla McBride averaged 12.5 PPG against the Sun during the season but the way that KMac has played to finish the season is all that matters now. Her experience in these playoff moments will help get the Lynx to that next level especially the way she plays alongside Napheesa Collier.

 

The Rookies Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz have both exceeded all expectations this year for the Lynx fanbase and they’ve been playing like sophomores because of the impact on the game. Diamond’s defense and her play making ability have been amazing this season and Dorka has showcased her ball handling skills with her dominance on the boards.

This will be a great series and with the familiarity of both teams this should be a true battle as we find out who wants to get to the next round in the WNBA Playoffs.

 

 

Photo Credit: Jordan Johnson,

John Minchillo / AP file

Sep 13, 2023 No Comments
The Minnesota Lynx Clinch Playoff Berth After Defeating The Mercury (86-73)

The Minnesota Lynx Clinch Playoff Berth After Defeating The Mercury (86-73)

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by | Sep 3, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx put on a defensive clinic against the Dream on Friday. Tonight that tried their best to follow that up as they went against Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury. The Lynx knew coming into this game that they were one win away from a playoff spot in the WNBA Playoffs.

 

This game started out very sluggish on both ends but the Lynx quickly turned that around in the 2nd half. Phoenix was led by Moriah Jefferson who was clearly on one tonight as the young people say. She finished the game with 32 points and her teammate Brittney Griner was unstoppable as well with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Lynx slowed the Mercury team down and focused on allowing their leaders to get the minimum. Dorka Juhasz is a rookie but I’ve already promoted her to sophomore the way she’s played this season. She’s had a physical weekend after dealing with the Dreams Parker and now dealing with Griner. Dorka was able to defend at a high level and she finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists. Dorka’s looking like the steal of the WNBA Draft with her play this season by far.

 

Napheesa Collier became the 1st player in WNBA History to have consecutive games with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Her game this season has been on another level and if she continues at this pace the Lynx will be tough to beat. Napheesa gave the Mercury problems tonight as she was able to grab offensive rebounds and get to her spots with ease tonight. When Phee plays like this the Lynx can only be stopped by themselves. Napheesa put the team on her back in that second half and was determined to lead this team to the postseason. Napheesa didn’t do it alone as her running mate Kayla McBride was shooting lights out and finished with 23 points. This has been my 1st season watching Kayla in person and her game is legit. The way that she’s been able to score but lockdown on the opposing offense has been special. She did that tonight as the Mercury had no answers for her or the Lynx.

 

The Lynx are heading to the 2023 WNBA Playoffs and the only thing we wait for now is seeding for what will shape out to be a very competitive run. Shoutout to Coach Reeve on her 300th Career Win in the WNBA as well.

 

Photo Credit: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Sep 3, 2023 No Comments
The Minnesota Lynx Are Now 1 Win Away From A Playoff Berth After Defeating Atlanta (91-85)

The Minnesota Lynx Are Now 1 Win Away From A Playoff Berth After Defeating Atlanta (91-85)

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by | Sep 1, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game against the ATL after their loss on Tuesday in Washington DC looking for a win. Coming back home to a loud Target Center that was ready to cheer them on as they’re only 2 games away from the playoffs.

This game between the Lynx and Atlanta Dream was a defensive slugfest. Both teams didn’t want to give up anything to the opposing team and the stars showed up tonight. The Lynx were able to set the tone early in this game as Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier came out tonight on a mission. This Lynx team moves to the beat of their veterans drums and tonight it was on full display. Napheesa Collier finished the game with 27 points, 17 rebounds and 3 assists. It was a playoff like atmosphere and the All Star put on a show.

Collier was battling in the paint all night just getting to the boards being aggressive. The help side defense tonight was amazing and that showed with Collier’s 4 blocked shots. When this team locks in and defends they’re tough to beat as you can see tonight. Atlanta was trying to be physical but the Lynx had other plans. Kayla McBride helped out as well adding 20 points on the night including the huge layup to send the game to overtime. When Phee and KMac have it going this Lynx team is going to be tough to beat. Dorka Juhász had a huge night as she finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds. She’s been making history all season long as a rookie and Dorka has shown up when her number has been called for this Lynx team.

Dorka has stepped her game up and she can put the ball on the floor while still being able to defend at a high level. The Lynx were challenged tonight in the paint and were able to answer by out rebounding the Dream. This was a collective effort as the Lynx locked in defensively late in this game making it tough for Atlanta to even score late in the game and overtime. It was an overall effort as Tiffany Mitchell made some huge plays for them and even Bridget Carleton. This team is clicking on all cylinders at the right time and will need this same energy against the Mercury.

The Atlanta Dream were physical with the Lynx all night long. It started with Allisha Gray as she was able to disrupt the Lynx with her hustle/defense. Cheyenne Parker was a force inside tonight finished with 20 points but the Lynx overall interior defense held up when it mattered the most.

The Lynx will be playing against the Phoenix Mercury on Sunday with 1 win holding them back from the WNBA playoffs.

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Jordan Johnson/NBAE via Getty Images)

Sep 1, 2023 No Comments
Breanna Stewart’s 38 Point Performance Propels The Liberty Over Minnesota (111-76)

Breanna Stewart’s 38 Point Performance Propels The Liberty Over Minnesota (111-76)

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by | Aug 26, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game off their back to back wins against the Wings. Tonight they were going to have to deal with Breanna Stewart and company all night.

The Liberty came into Minnesota on a mission and Breanna Stewart put on one of the best individual performances of the season. Stewart was hitting everything she put up it looked like and she was able to get aggressive on the rebounds too. One thing about Breanna Stewart is when she has her game going there’s nothing that can be done because she has the length and IQ to beat her defenders. Stewart set the tone for the Liberty tonight finishing with 38 and 11 rebounds. The Liberty took advantage of the Lynx 13 turnovers tonight. This Liberty team is now 27-7 for a reason on the season and showed that they’re ready for the postseason especially coming off the Commissioners Cup.

The Liberty had 4 scorers in double figures tonight and surprisingly Jonquel Jones wasn’t one of them. The other players around her made up for the most of the scoring/rebounding tonight.

On the Minnesota Lynx side of things it was good to see Diamond Miller get back into a groove offensively. She was able to hit some 3 pointers and get that confidence going heading into the next game against Washington. The Lynx weren’t able to slow down Stewart but this was a game they needed because it’s not always going to be easy in the W. The only scorers in double figures for the Lynx were Miller and Collier. The Lynx had too many turnovers in this game and you can’t win like that at all. Diamond Miller finished with 18 and 9 rebounds on the night but look for this Lynx team to bounce back in a major way against the Mystics next.

Aug 26, 2023 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Grind Out The Victory Against Dallas Wings (91-86)

Minnesota Lynx Grind Out The Victory Against Dallas Wings (91-86)

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by | Aug 22, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game after the loss to Seattle ready to get back in the win column. It started with effort and energy tonight as the Lynx showed up ready to protect their house against a great Dallas team.

Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride put the team on their backs tonight. It started with Napheesa Collier as she was able to get to her spots whenever she wanted. Napheesa was able to make her jumpers, layups, and she got to the line all night. Collier came out and set the tone with her energy/gameplay. Collier finished the game with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kayla was able to hit her shots as well and the great thing is that the defense brought out the offense. Kayla has been able to defend at a high level and she was able to slow down Arike tonight. McBride was able to get to her spots while being able to get teammates involved. The Minnesota Lynx are 5-0 when both Collier/McBride score over 20 points. Tonight McBride finished with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Dallas didn’t get the win but Satou Sabally showed all of her skills tonight from the jump. She was making it tough on the Lynx whether it was her scoring, rebounding, and passing. Satou was able to do it all but things got chippy when she got flagrant fouled twice which caused her to get injured. Satou wasn’t able to finish the game and as she exited fans were cheering which was completely distasteful. Satou blew kisses to the crowd and a couple of fans got tossed as well for being disrespectful. Satou finished the game with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists. Arike was able to carry the load late when the Satou was out of the game and hit some incredible jumpers. Arike was able to put the Wings on her back to bring the game within 1 at one point in the final minute. Arike finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists. Overall the Wings out rebounded the Lynx and had more 2nd chance points but just couldn’t get it down late against Minnesota.

Both teams will be going at it again on Thursday except it will be in Dallas. As both teams gave it their all in the best game of the season I’ve seen by far from Minnesota.

 

 

Photo Credit:(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Aug 22, 2023 No Comments
Jewell Loyd Showcased Her Mamba Mentality As She Helped The Storm Defeat Minnesota (88-74)

Jewell Loyd Showcased Her Mamba Mentality As She Helped The Storm Defeat Minnesota (88-74)

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by | Aug 20, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx were coming off a great victory against the Seattle Storm the other night. The Lynx wanted to repeat that same outcome tonight as the Storm made their way to Minnesota now. The Storm came out motivated and energetic this game as they showed they wanted it more.

Jewell Loyd came to Minnesota to win the game and she played like that the whole night. It seemed as if every time the Lynx made a shot or made a great play that Loyd came back on the other end with a tough fadeaway or a tough contested jumper. The way that Jewell was able to create space with her step back was on full display as it didn’t matter who was on her tonight. Jewell finished with 31 points on the night with 5 rebounds and 4 assists. When Jewell plays like she did tonight it is tough to beat the storm. The Storm showed a lot of energy and fight in this game from the beginning and it really showed in the 2nd chance points as they had 20 tonight. It comes down to just wanting it more and those hustle plays and loose balls matter especially in a game that was close for most of that 1st half. The bigs on the Storm Ezi and Mercedes created more opportunities for the Storm in the paint but the Lynx couldn’t match their energy tonight.

The Minnesota Lynx came out flat in this game as the intensity and energy wasn’t there on both ends tonight for a consistent period of time. The Lynx needed to be balanced and tonight it was tough for them to get going overall. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t any positives because Kayla McBride was able to shine bright tonight with 18 points. What Kayla does for this team every night is amazing because she’s defending the best player (Jewell Loyd) but she’s still able to get her offense going as well for her team. Kayla’s one of the best players in the league and she let it be known that she loves the challenge of guarding a player like Loyd every night.

 

The Lynx offense tonight was flat but it’s just minor and it can be fixed the one thing that coach stressed was energy. So if they can come out clicking on all cylinders on Tuesday it should go their way. Diamond and Napheesa didn’t have their best games tonight but look for them to bounce back in the game on Tuesday against the Dallas Wings.

Aug 20, 2023 No Comments