Alissa Pili Shines Bright in Minnesota Lynx’s Dominant 95-71 Win Over Phoenix Mercury

Alissa Pili Shines Bright in Minnesota Lynx’s Dominant 95-71 Win Over Phoenix Mercury

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MINNEAPOLIS – Rookie Alissa Pili steps onto the Target Center court, her eyes fixed on the hoop, as she and the Minnesota Lynx dominate in the paint, from the 3-point line and on defense, securing a 95-71 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. This marks a breakout performance for the University of Utah alumni, selected with the eighth overall pick in the draft. The game holds added significance for Pili, who is of Samoan and Native Alaskan heritage, as it aligns with Native American Heritage Night, a moment she is grateful to share with fans.

“As I’ve ended my college career and come to the W, my support system has been huge, and a big part of that is the indigenous community. Representation has been a huge thing for me as my platform has grown. I’m trying to do my best at being a role model for others and continuing to impact people,” Pili says.

Dorka Juhász, in her second season with the Lynx, returns to the team a week ago following overseas playing commitments. She praises Pili, stating,”She’s working hard, and we are super happy that she had this game, especially on this night; it is very special.”

What was the key to Pili’s breakout game tonight? Juhász answers best, saying, “One thing that I’ve learned is that you gotta stay ready. She is ready whenever her name is called,” adding, “The swag that she has, maybe a little nervousness, but you can’t see it; you’re just knocking down shots.” She talks about how it is early on in the season and Pili having this breakout game is a great sign.

The game starts out evenly matched with Mercury’s talented players Kahleah Copper, Diana Taurasi, and Natasha Cloud matching the energy of the Lynx stars Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. However, the Lynx soon take control, finding their rhythm on both offense and defense as Smith is 3-3 to start. Phee grabs rebounds, showing her exceptional defense. With Diamond Miller out after undergoing successful right knee surgery on May 29 and having a 20-point lead on Mercury for a majority of the match, this gives room for bench players to get more minutes, and they truly step up to the challenge. When Head Coach Cheryl Reeve calls Pili to sub in, she recognizes it as her moment to prove herself, rising to the occasion with confidence.

Juhász expresses how this one is personal when talking to the in-arena host about the win post-game. “We want to come out different than how we played against the Aces. We don’t really show our best offensive profile in that game,” she says, adding, “We know that we could do better. It’s always the goal after a loss to come back, especially on home court. We want to protect our home court. I think that’s the motivation that gets us into that energy.”

Pili reflects on how she stays ready, stating,“The game is mostly mental. We huddle up before every game, and all of us kind of have that mindset of always stay ready when your name is called,” adding, “It’s such a great team as a collective. Our starters are great, and then our bench just brings this different type of energy,” adding, “It is good to gain that in-game experience and work towards getting my confidence up and getting more comfortable.”

Towards the end of the game, Pili becomes unstoppable from beyond the arc. The bench contributes significantly with 50 points, marking the third-highest bench points in Lynx history. Juhász earns 13 points, Cecilia Zandalasini 12, Natisha Hiedeman 5, and Pili, as mentioned earlier, scores 20 points. “As a team, we’re just having fun, and I think that’s the most important thing,” said Juhász.

The Lynx hope to maintain this momentum Sunday at 6 p.m. as they face off against the Dallas Wings at the Target Center.

Photo by David Sherman / National Basketball Association / Getty

Jun 1, 2024 No Comments
Lynx Struggle to Find Rhythm in 90-66 Loss to Aces

Lynx Struggle to Find Rhythm in 90-66 Loss to Aces

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MINNEAPOLIS — The Target Center was alive tonight as the Minnesota Lynx faced off against the Las Vegas Aces. Fans packed the arena, eager to witness the thrilling match-up. With talented and well-known players like Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young, and Kate Martin on the Aces’ roster, fans anticipated a game full of entertaining basketball against the 2023 WNBA champions, the Aces. Despite a spirited effort and a vocal home crowd, the Lynx could not capitalize on key moments, ultimately falling to the Aces.

The showdown between Lynx star Napheesa Collier and Aces’ powerhouse A’ja Wilson was the highlight of the night. Known for her defense, Collier made Wilson work hard for every point. “You gotta know your body to have good defense,” Collier said during a halftime pre-recorded interview. She backed up her words by grabbing 13 rebounds, reaffirming her status as the Lynx’s defensive anchor.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve emphasized the importance of trust, especially with Alanna Smith stepping up and playing significant minutes. Smith herself mentioned that playing off instinct has boosted her confidence to play her game. She found her rhythm a few times during the game but needs to find a way to make it consistent. 

The first quarter was a nail-biter, with both teams trading buckets. The Aces took an 18-16 lead, but Courtney Williams provided a spark for the Lynx, scoring six points from mid-range, her sweet spot. Collier dominated defensively early, grabbing eight rebounds. However, the Lynx’s struggles from beyond the arc (8-24) and six turnovers were surprising setbacks given their performance’s so far.

The second quarter started with the Aces jumping out to a 7-0 run. Cecilia Zandalasini ignited Minnesota, hitting 3-for-3 from downtown. The Lynx defense was on fire, forcing two shot clock violations, showing determination. The offensive tempo picked up with a slick give-and-go between Kayla McBride and Dorka Juhász, followed by a three-pointer from McBride. Despite these highlights, the continued turnovers hurt the Lynx and were disappointing to watch, especially considering their potential to beat this Aces team. The Aces capitalized on every Lynx misstep, showcasing why they are the reigning champs.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Lynx showed moments of hope, playing near-perfect basketball at times, but the Aces were always ready to respond. Wilson went off tonight, scoring 29 points and drawing ten fouls. The Lynx began to miss key shots against a powerhouse like Las Vegas, and everyone knew it was over. Wilson’s ability to draw fouls and score was crucial in maintaining the Aces’ lead.

Despite strong individual performances, the Lynx’s chemistry seemed off. Several players’ inability to find their rhythm contributed to the tough loss. The final score shows the Lynx’s inconsistencies, revealing areas needing improvement. This is the time to make mistakes and learn, as it is still early in the season.

As the Lynx prepare to face the Phoenix Mercury on Friday night at 8:30 p.m., they should be able to bounce back. It is all about how the Lynx respond to a loss. With basketball legends like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner up next, let’s see how Minnesota improves after tonight’s setback. The Lynx’s resilience will be put to the test, but this team’s chemistry and leadership from Collier and McBride have shown they will rise to the occasion.

 

 

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

May 30, 2024 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx: A Season of Promise

Minnesota Lynx: A Season of Promise

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MINNEAPOLIS — The energy in downtown Minneapolis May 17th was high as fans joyfully awaited the Lynx season opener at Target Center. From wearing their favorite Lynx jerseys to sporting green and white leis, fans of all ages showed their pride and excitement.

Among the Lynx rookies, Alissa Pili, who is of Inupiaq and Samoan descent, has attracted a dedicated group of Indigenous basketball fans eager to see her skills on the court. Pili expressed her pride in representing these communities, saying, “It’s always been a goal of mine to impact a certain community, especially the Native and Polynesian community. I’m very proud to represent you all, and I’ll keep doing a good job.” This is a season of hope and promise.
With a great win and performance in their season opener against the Seattle Storm, the Lynx are showing they are a strong team this season with a lot of talent.

Napheesa Collier, with a big smile, accepted the Player of the Week honor during an interview two days ago with the WNBA, becoming the fourth Lynx player to earn this award five or more times. Collier, who credited her success to her teammates, stressed the importance of teamwork, saying, “That’s exciting, I wasn’t even thinking about it. It’s your teammates. I couldn’t do anything without them. You never get any accolades without your team.” Tonight at 6 p.m. CT, the Lynx face former teammate Rachel Banham and the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Collier, after an outstanding 2023 season earning her first First-Team All-WNBA selection, is expected to play a key role for the Lynx this year. Additionally, Kayla McBride, known for her leadership as team captain and her three-point shooting, is expected to be crucial for the team’s dynamics.

With new additions to their roster, including Pili and experienced players like Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, the Lynx are set for success and are expected to make the playoffs again this season. Second-year players Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász are also expected to make big contributions, adding to the team’s depth and competitiveness.

With a mix of veteran leadership, young talents, and smart new players, the Lynx are ready for a competitive season. Building on last year’s playoff appearance, the team’s success depends on the performance of key players and how well new players fit in. Overall, there is a lot of optimism for the Lynx as they start the 2024 season. Collier emphasized that she has a great team and is really excited to start the year with her teammates.

Photo: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

May 24, 2024 No Comments