The Minnesota Lynx (6-2) began the month of June just how they ended May: with a convincing win over a Western Conference rival.
Minnesota pulled away late from the Dallas Wings for an 87-76 victory, their sixth win of the season and fifth coming by double-figures. It featured everything that has made the Lynx one of the WNBA’s best teams thus far, namely efficient 3-point shooting (8-for-19) and a superstar performance from Napheesa Collier (24 points, 14 rebounds and three steals).
In theory, it’s a relatively simple formula for success: Surround your star player with strong outside shooters and let her handle the rest. Previous Lynx teams haven’t been able to execute it like this one has, however. Minnesota had gotten off to dreadful starts in each of the past three seasons, and though they were eventually able to scratch and claw their way out of those early holes they dug for themselves, there was never much hope that they’d compete for a championship.
There’s a different feeling about the Lynx in 2024. At 6-2, they’ve eradicated any worries about another slow start, but there are a few more team-specific statistics that confirm things are different this time around.
Offensively, Minnesota may not have as many big names as the rest of the league’s top teams, but that hasn’t stopped the Lynx from being one of the WNBA’s best on that end of the floor. Through June 3, Minnesota ranked No. 3 in the WNBA in offensive rating, scoring 103.1 points per 100 possessions; that’s primarily been fueled by the team’s 3-point shooting, which is reflected in its league-leading 53.1 percent effective field goal percentage. The Lynx are getting up 26.3 3-point attempts per game and are making 10.1 of them; they’ve made 13 or more 3-pointers on four occasions.
More important than the Lynx’s shot-making, however, is how they’re getting those shots. Minnesota is assisting on a tremendous 74.7 percent of its made baskets, tied for first in the WNBA, and ranks second in assist/turnover ratio (1.51). This Lynx team is one that makes crisp, quick decisions with the basketball, passing up good shots for great ones and relishing opportunities to be unselfish. Guards Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, both newcomers to Minnesota, have played a big part in this philosophy, but it goes all the way down the roster, from Collier and Bridget Carleton to Kayla McBride and even rookie Alissa Pili.
That’s something a lot of WNBA pundits didn’t see coming when the Lynx were commonly ranked near the bottom of the pack in preseason power rankings. “They’re probably thinking there’s still time for them to be right, the experts,” Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve commented with a smile after her team’s most recent win. That’s technically true, but the time for doubt is quickly running out. The 2024 Lynx are for real, and they’re going to be in the thick of things when the postseason rolls around.
What’s next for the Lynx?
After a much-deserved two-day break, Minnesota will hit the road again to take on the Los Angeles Sparks on Wednesday, June 5 and the Phoenix Mercury on Friday, June 7. Both are games the Lynx should be favored in; the rebuilding Sparks are just 2-6 on the season, and Minnesota has already defeated Phoenix, recently cruising past the Mercury 95-71.
On Sunday, June 9, the Lynx will return home to face a familiar opponent in the Seattle Storm. Minnesota defeated Seattle twice in a row to open the 2024 season, but the Storm have looked stronger as of late, and they’ll no doubt be competing for playoff position with the Lynx when the regular season draws to a close.