Friday the 13th might be known for bad luck, but the Minnesota Lynx turned it into a night of triumph against the Chicago Sky. Despite a shaky start, where the Sky raced ahead with an 18-9 lead, the Lynx dug deep to mount a comeback at Target Center in Minneapolis, thrilling the home crowd.
Courtney Williams played a pivotal role in the turnaround with her 14-point, 10-assist double-double, showcasing both offensive leadership and defensive tenacity. She highlighted the team’s focus on adjusting defensively, saying, “We had to buckle down and protect the paint… they got it going in that first quarter, but we had to refresh, reset, and get it poppin’.” This shift in strategy allowed the Lynx to outscore Chicago by a decisive margin in the third quarter.
Alanna Smith was another standout, finishing with a season-high 12 rebounds along with 11 points, securing her second double-double of the season. Her impact in protecting the rim and battling for boards frustrated Chicago’s efforts to regain momentum. Smith’s contribution was crucial in maintaining control, as head coach Cheryl Reeve added, “We needed to look up, as they say, and battle and make it difficult, and Lan was ready for it. Sometimes you can do everything right and a player still scores. We just move on and control what we can control.”
By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Lynx had secured an 83-66 win, keeping them in second place in the WNBA standings. This victory also marked their 28th win of the season. The Lynx have now tied their franchise record for wins in a season, making a clear statement as the playoffs approach—Minnesota is not just a contender, they are a force to be reckoned with.
Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn
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