As the 2024 WNBA season wraps up, the excitement is like no other, especially for us Minnesota Lynx fans. Securing the second seed spot in the WNBA is no small achievement, and the atmosphere heading into the game against the Los Angeles Sparks reflected that.

Pregame Highlights

Before the game, Natisha Heideman and Courtney Williams provided a lighthearted moment that set the tone. They were gifted “Stepbrothers” shirts—Natisha’s face edited onto Will Ferrell’s body and Courtney’s onto John C. Reilly’s. This brought some laughs to warm-ups, reminding us that, while they’re fierce competitors, they know how to have fun. In the post-game press conference, Natisha mentioned she didn’t know where it came from, but she said, “Courtney, we cute.”

Game Time

With usual starters KayMac, Dorka, and Phee out after already clinching a playoff spot, the opportunity was open for other players to step up. The Lynx had a strong track record against the Sparks, winning 13 of their last 14 matchups, so confidence was high.

Diamond Miller ignited the crowd with a three-pointer right at the start. The cheers were deafening, but it didn’t take long for the Sparks to respond. Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson quickly established dominance both in the paint and from beyond the arc, turning the momentum.

Ollie’s Return

One of the notable moments was Ollie’s return. After re-signing with the Lynx, she was intense during warmups, clearly focused. Her playmaking skills are invaluable, and it’s impressive to see how the team stays ready, even when not in the starting lineup.

Performance Overview

As the game progressed, the Lynx attempted to close the scoring gap, but the Sparks remained in control, as the Lynx struggled to capitalize on key layups and free throws. Diamond Miller finished with eight points and three rebounds, while Alissa Pili matched her with eight points, tying her career high in steals. Alanna Smith added six points, eight rebounds, and played strong defense.

On the opposing side, Dearica Hamby was a standout, leading the Sparks with 20 points and making multiple key plays. Los Angeles defeated the Lynx 68-51, but it also provided an important opportunity for Minnesota’s bench players to gain invaluable in-game experience, which adds depth to their roster.

Looking Ahead

With the Lynx closing the season with a home record of 16-4—tying the franchise record for home wins—there’s a sense of optimism heading into the playoffs. The mix of humor and determination in this team has made this an exciting season.

The Lynx are ready and remain focused, not feeling the pressure of what’s to come. They prefer to take it one game at a time, and I can’t wait to see how the playoff game against the Phoenix Mercury unfolds this Sunday at 4 PM.

Photo by Minnesota Lynx Social Media

By Maya Aflakpi

September 1st, 2024

Game Day Vibes: Lynx vs. Sky at the Target Center

The Target Center was the place to be today at 2 p.m. as the Minnesota Lynx went head-to-head against the Chicago Sky in a game that was anything but dull. ’m talking about the kind of matchup that has you saying “how did they do that?” and let me tell you, the energy in the building was absolutely electric.

Before the game even began, there was a sweet moment of nostalgia as Napheesa Collier shared a heartfelt hug and a few words with her former teammate, Chicago Sky’s Rachel Banham. Banham, a University of Minnesota legend, set many records and was an invaluable player for the Lynx for four years before joining a new team this season. It was clear that Collier and Banham’s bond went beyond the court—a little pre-game love that reminded us why we adore this sport.

From the tip-off, the Lynx were on fire, with Dorka Juhász and Courtney Williams working their magic, igniting the crowd with an early lead that had everyone on their feet. But the Sky weren’t about to let the Lynx have all the fun. They slowly started to muscle their way back into the game, using their height advantage to dominate the paint and keep things interesting. Their bigs were crashing the boards, making it tough for the Lynx to maintain control.

In the end, it was a game full of high-energy plays and edge-of-your-seat moments. The Lynx’s hot start and Williams’ standout performance were key, but the Sky’s gritty comeback kept the game tight. Fans left the arena buzzing about the game, already hyped for the next round of this thrilling matchup.

Courtney Williams Shines as the Lynx Dominate!

Courtney Williams was an absolute force for Minnesota, truly leading the Lynx to a hard-fought win. She was unstoppable, especially in the second half, matching her season-high with 22 points on a scorching 11-of-16 shooting. Add in her three rebounds, six assists, and two steals, and you’ve got a performance that’s nothing short of spectacular. She did all this in just under 28 minutes—talk about efficiency!Whenever Williams brings this level of heat, the Lynx are almost unbeatable—she’s 8-6 in her career in these games, and the Lynx are 2-0 this season when she’s on fire. Williams wasn’t just scoring, though—she was scoring efficiently.

Courtney Williams was the MVP of the day, not just for her scoring but also her passing skills. She dished out the most assists, making those jaw-dropping connections that kept the Lynx’s offense clicking. Her court vision was on another level, and she made it look easy. There was even a moment when head coach Cheryl Reeve dapped up Williams, highlighting their strong connection.

Kayla McBride Climbs the Three-Point Ladder

Kayla McBride was also cooking, dropping 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting. She didn’t stop there, grabbing two rebounds and three assists in just under 36 minutes. This marks the 15th time this season (158th career) that McBride has scored 15+ points—when she’s on, the Lynx are tough to beat.

But the highlight of McBride’s night? That three-pointer in the first quarter that propelled her past Tamika Catchings for ninth place in WNBA history for threes made. She now sits at an incredible 608 made threes—one of the best to ever do it!

Napheesa Collier’s All-Around Dominance

Napheesa Collier was everywhere on the court, doing a little bit of everything with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. This marks her fifth game this season with at least 15 points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks—a feat only matched by WNBA superstars A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart. Collier’s all-around brilliance in the game of basketball has been key for the Lynx; they’re 4-1 in such games this season.

Collier also made history, moving into second place in franchise history for blocks, surpassing the legendary Maya Moore with her 177th career block. She’s writing her own legacy with every game!

Team Chemistry on Point

Tonight’s win was a true team effort, a sentiment echoed by every player in the press conference, who emphasized their trust in one another. The Lynx finished with 20+ assists and 10+ steals while committing 10 or fewer turnovers for the third time this season (and 15th time ever). This kind of ball movement and defensive tenacity has been a hallmark of their game, making them one of the top-ranked teams in the WNBA in these kinds of performances. Alongside the Las Vegas Aces, they’re the only franchise to have achieved this level of greatness 15+ times.

Chicago’s Angel Reese Stands Tall

Despite Chicago Sky’s loss, Angel Reese was one of the standouts, putting up 17 points and 19 rebounds. She continues to prove herself as a true contender for Rookie of the Year, breaking the record for most rebounds in a single season, now totaling 418. Reese broke Sylvia Fowles’ previous record of 404 rebounds set in 2018. She also added three assists and two steals in nearly 39 minutes on the court. Although she was a dominant force, tonight belonged to the Lynx.

The Lynx will begin a three-game road trip this Friday, September 6, when they take on the Indiana Fever at 6:30 p.m.

Photo credit: Lynx forward Napheesa Collier drives against Sky forward Angel Reese during the second half Sunday at Target Center. (Ayrton Breckenridge/The Minnesota Star Tribune)