Indiana Fever’s Impressive Paint Play Helped Them Defeat The Minnesota Lynx (91-73)

Indiana Fever’s Impressive Paint Play Helped Them Defeat The Minnesota Lynx (91-73)

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by | Aug 10, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx left Chicago with a win and wanted to continue that winning play against the Fever in Indiana. Tonight the Lynx were able to get Dorka Juhasz back in the lineup which is a huge help. The Lynx quickly ran into a situation where the Fever were just capitalizing off of every mistake and made them pay in the paint. Overall the Indiana Fever had 5 players that were in double figures for the game (Boston, Mitchell, Wheeler, Wallace, and Smith). The Fever came with a well balanced attack but it was led by the paint play of Aliyah Boston who was able to establish her presence in the paint with 13 rebounds. Boston showcased her complete game tonight as she was able to block 3 shots to add to that as well. The Fever outrebounded the Lynx 39-26 on the night and when you can’t rebound that’s not a good sign for success. Kelsey Mitchell was on one tonight as she finished with 24 points but it seemed like every time the Lynx were getting closer and closer Mitchell hit a big shot. When Mitchell has her game going and Boston has her game going it’s tough to beat this Fever team especially when they have confidence like this at a high level. The points in the paint differential was the huge piece in this game (34-18) and it proved to impact the game in a major way. The Fever just played like they wanted it tonight but that doesn’t mean that they’re the better team. The Lynx have proven time and time again that they have what it takes to compete and win so this game was just an off night.

 

In positive news for the Minnesota Lynx it was good to get Rachel Banham back in the mix. She was able to come off the bench and give the team a spark instantly. On the night Rachel finished with a team high of 18 points and she was able to showcase her elite shooting ability. The Lynx didn’t have it going tonight as a whole but they continue to bounce back. Napheesa Collier and Lindsay Allen were both in foul trouble and the Fever made the most of that moment. The easy thing to say is that it’s the next person up but tonight the energy just didn’t match what the Lynx needed to win. The Lynx had 4 players in double figures but they just weren’t able to establish themselves in the paint after Jessica Shepard’s great first half of scoring. This team is elite and great teams make some hiccups against teams that have lower records. The Lynx don’t play until Friday and will have some time to sit on this loss. The Lynx will be heading to Seattle to face Jewel Lloyd and the Storm as they look to get back into the win column like we all expect them to do.

 

 

Photo Credit:  (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

Aug 10, 2023 No Comments
The New York Liberty’s 2nd Chance Points Help Them Defeat Minnesota (76-66)

The New York Liberty’s 2nd Chance Points Help Them Defeat Minnesota (76-66)

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by | Aug 4, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game wanting to get back into the win column at home vs New York. The Lynx would have a great chance at that knowing they had Napheesa Collier back in the lineup.

The Lynx were able to set the tone in this one early as Napheesa Collier was back on the floor like nothing happened. Collier was hitting her mid range jumper and was able to get to the rim whenever she needed. One thing that really helped the Lynx very early in this game was the ball movement. When the Lynx get the ball in their passing lanes and back cuts it makes everything easier. Lindsay Allen was one of those players that was able to make a huge impact passing as she finished with 10 assists. Allen knows where Collier/Miller/McBride want the ball at and it showed tonight. McBride and Collier led the way in scoring as the Lynx looked to be in a great position in that 3rd quarter.

The Lynx made some great strides as a team in the game but it was tough without Dorka Juhasz in the lineup and Jones on the boards as much as she was tonight. The Lynx will use this game as a lesson and learn from this as they don’t look to be beat in the boards or 2nd chance points this much.

 

The 3rd quarter was the start of the Sabrina Ionescu Show as she was able to score 9 points in that 3rd. Sabrina made the Lynx pay on the second chance baskets and she was able to knock some crucial 3 pointers down. The Lynx started the 4th off in trouble as they fouled the Liberty so much they were in the penalty with 7:45 left in the quarter. The Liberty finished with 4 players in double figures (Stewart, Jones, Laney, and Ionescu). Jones made it tough for the Lynx all night as she finished with 15 points and 17 rebounds. The Lynx allowed 25 2nd chance points to the Liberty as they were too much on the block down the stretch.

The Lynx will be looking to rebound from this game on Tuesday as they play the Chicago Sky. Look for Napheesa Collier to showout in this game as she was held scoreless in the 4th quarter. The Lynx have been on a mission as of late and the chemistry looks amazing these days. As a Lynx fan it’s a good thing knowing that when this team is fully healthy they’re going to be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs.

 

 

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

Aug 4, 2023 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Defeat The Connecticut Sun On The Road (87-83)

Minnesota Lynx Defeat The Connecticut Sun On The Road (87-83)

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by | Jul 30, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game against the Connecticut Sun on a two game winning streak. The Lynx knocked off the Liberty last game and look to repeat that against the Sun today.

The Minnesota Lynx were playing their second game in a row without Napheesa Collier in the lineup. Last game it was rookie Diamond Miller and Kayla McBride that led the charge. This game against the Sun we got a heavy dose of the versatility of Minnesota as the scoring came from everywhere. Today the player that started it off was Aerial Powers as she was playing with passion from the moment she hit the floor. Powers was able to establish herself early in this one getting to her spots while finishing at the rim whenever she wanted. Powers started 6/6 from the field but finished 6/8 with 14 points that came in crucial moments. Every time the Sun made a run in the 1st half it seemed like Powers made a huge bucket.

The Connecticut Sun kept sticking around in this game and part of that reason why is because of DeWanna Bonner. The Lynx were defending Bonner as good as you could with a hand in her face but she still was able to finish with 31 points. Bonner was able to get to the line with ease and she made some tough baskets. Bonner was able to get the scoring going but it was Alyssa Thomas who finished with a triple double in the game 17 points, 11 assists, and 14 rebounds. Both of the Sun’s best players were making it tough on the Lynx but Minnesota showed a lot of grit and fight in this game.

The Lynx turned this game around in the second half when Kayla McBride, Lindsey Allen, and Jessica Shepard all scored 6 points in that 3rd quarter. The way they came out of halftime it set the tone as they kept hitting big shot after shot heading into the 4th. The Minnesota Lynx made the Sun pay when it came to back door cuts because they must of hit on about 5 or 6 them for easy points. The Lynx made some big shots down the stretch and Kayla was the one that led the charge. Kayla McBride finished with 19 points today against the Sun and was able to execute on that 3 point jumper whenever she wanted. It does need to be noted that Dorka Juhasz made the play of the day when she partially blocked DeWanna Bonnet’s game winning shot attempt.

 

This Lynx team is showing a lot of passion and competitiveness as they continue to climb in the playoff standings. The Lynx will take on the Sun again on Tuesday and will be looking for the same results.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jul 30, 2023 No Comments
Diamond’s Historic Performance Helps Minnesota Defeat The Washington Mystics (97-92)

Diamond’s Historic Performance Helps Minnesota Defeat The Washington Mystics (97-92)

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

The Minnesota Lynx had a lot of time to let that loss to the Aces sink in. Tonight they bounced back and were able to get back in the win column against a banged up Mystics that still was able to fight.

In the 1st quarter it was the Brittney Sykes show as she was able to get to the basket with ease. Tonight Sykes had 13 points in the 1st but finished the game with 17 points. The defense that the Lynx played on Sykes in that 2 quarter to the finish was impressive. The Lynx put some length on her and we’re able to limit her driving attempts as well. Once the Lynx shut down Sykes then it was time for Natasha Cloud to show up. Cloud was able to keep the Mystics in the game with her passing ability and her creative shot making ability. Some of the shots that Cloud made you just have to tip your hat but to the Lynx credit all the shots were contested. Natasha Cloud finished the game with 24 points and 6 assists. Cloud was the Mystics offense in the second half and she was able to keep them within distance at all times until late in the game. One thing the Mystics were mad about was the officiating and how they only had 4 free throws to the Lynx 23 attempts.

 

 

Overall the Lynx were able to take this game and never look back in that 2nd half. Diamond Miller became the 1st rookie WNBA player to score more than 20 points with 9 assists and 1 turnover. Diamond’s energy was contagious as she was able to score inside and outside tonight but brought it on the defensive end as well. The confidence that Diamond is playing with right now is unmatched and she’s playing like a sophomore now instead of a rookie. The growth that Diamond has been able to display will go a long way and she was able to showcase her playmaking ability as well. This team has been on a roll since she returned from injury and it’s going to have its moments but this was a special moment for Diamond Miller.

The captain Napheesa Collier got her game going too and she could have had a bigger game if she didn’t miss some easy looks in the paint. Collier finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Collier was a problem for the Mystics on both sides of the floor as she commanded that ball in the paint scoring and rebounding. Kayla McBride bounced back in a major way scoring inside and outside as well. The buzzer beater she made at the half was the momentum shift that the Lynx needed and she didn’t look back finishing with 15 points and getting her shooting groove back.

The Lynx will be traveling to NYC to take on the Liberty in a game that should be challenging but they should be prepared enough to win it.

 

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

Jul 26, 2023 No Comments
A’ja Wilson’s Big Game Helps The Aces Beat Minnesota (98-81)

A’ja Wilson’s Big Game Helps The Aces Beat Minnesota (98-81)

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

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game against the Las Vegas Aces ready for another win after beating Los Angeles on Thursday.

In order for them to do so they were going to have to try and stop A’ja Wilson or Kelsey Plum. Also if the Aces were going to win they would need to slow down the Lynx All-Star Napheesa Collier.

The Minnesota Lynx started the game off slow but that quickly turned into passion and intensity as Diamond Miller was able to get them going. Miller was all over the court whether it be her playmaking ability or her will to just get into the paint and score. The type of play that the rookie has shown since returning from her injury has been nothing short of spectacular.

The growth was on display against the Aces today as she took the challenge of guarding Chelsey Gray. Diamond is one of those players that can do it all and her positivity is contagious out there with the team. While the Lynx struggled to get some offensive possessions together Diamond shined just as bright as her name and it showed on the box score. Diamond was able to finish the game with 17 points, 3 assists, and 5 rebounds but it wasn’t enough to get the win against this historical Aces team.

Last time both teams met it was Kelsey Plum that had a huge night scoring 40 points. This time around the Lynx and Coach Reeve made adjustments putting Diamond/other players with length on her to make it tough. A’ja Wilson was the player that took this game over. A’ja is a special player and she was able to get to her spots and dominate in the paint tonight. She was very good at getting positioning and has shown a great improvement in that pick and pop jumper.

Every time A’ja got the ball she was able to pull up with space and execute. While the Lynx were able to slow down the others Wilson stepped her game up finishing with 35 points and 14 rebounds on 14/17 shots from the field. This Aces team is going to be tough to beat but the Lynx have shown moments where they can hang with the best team all season.

Chelsea Gray was able to showcase her passing skills with some crazy dimes that she dished tonight as well. She was able to finish with 11 points and 11 assists in this one. The game was close but once the Lynx started making costly mistakes with the turnovers the Aces made them pay for it.

Napheesa had an off game but was able to make up for it on the defensive side and while getting rebounds. Her jumper didn’t fall right away in that 1st half but she came out from halftime determined to change that. Napheesa had 16 points and 8 rebounds but this game doesn’t define how special she has been to the organization all season long. Look for Napheesa to bounce back against the Washington Mystics this Wednesday at home.

It was really good to see Kayla McBride get some jumpers to fall heading into the next game as well. It’s crazy because her defense doesn’t get talked about enough but she was able to get in the passing lanes against the Aces while having a monster block in this one too.

The Lynx will look to get back in the win column as they have the Mystics coming into town.

 

Jul 22, 2023 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Beat The Sparks In A Thriller (73-70)

Minnesota Lynx Beat The Sparks In A Thriller (73-70)

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

The Minnesota Lynx came into this game against the LA Sparks with a bad taste in their mouths from the Atlanta lose. They came ready for this game at home and wanted to make sure that they set the tone early.

The 1st quarter belonged to Nneka Ogwumike as she scored 13 points in that quarter alone making it tough for the Lynx overall. The Lynx started off slow but then were able to get their offense going in that 2nd quarter. The scoring came from Dorka Juhász who was able to dominate inside and out in front of her parents for the 1st time professionally. Dorka was able to score 10 points alone in that quarter beating the Sparks off the dribble and making them pay from long range.

The LA Sparks found themselves in deep trouble as they trailed by 20 points and in that 3rd quarter it was Lexi Brown and Jordin Canada who helped them on the comeback trail. The Lynx kept making mistakes with turning that ball over and the guards for the Sparks made the most of every opportunity the Lynx gave them. The Sparks came out with a lot of aggressive drives and were able to get to the line which didn’t help the Lynx cause for winning at all. One of the things that worked for the Lynx was the emergence of Diamond Millers playmaking ability as she was able to find her teammates after turning the ball over and really locked in. Diamond finished with 13 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds but found her rhythm in that 3rd.

Heading into the 4th it was a close game but Dorka and Napheesa were right there to save the day. This was by far one of Dorka’s best games as the Sparks had no answer for her. She finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Dorka also made a huge impact on the defensive end down the stretch of this game. Napheesa Collier was special in this game as she struggled early but was able to bounce back for a 22 points and 8 rebounds performance. Napheesa went on a 6-0 run at the end to seal the deal. The All Star has been great all season long and will need to continue that as the Las Vegas Aces come to town on Saturday.

 

 

Photo Credit:David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Jul 20, 2023 No Comments