MINNEAPOLIS — For the WNBAs current dynasty, an uncharacteristic amount of early season losses raised questions about whether the league had outlasted an aging team.
More Lynx coverage
The Minnesota Lynx werent wondering. They never lost their swagger, even if a 3-6 start suggested it was gone. After winning their last three games before the All-Star break, the Lynx are back on their playoff track with nine games to go in the regular season.
“Our confidence is fine. It was fine when we were losing,” center Sylvia Fowles said. “Were just taking it one game at a time.”
With a 15-10 record, the Lynx are only a half-game behind the Atlanta Dream in a crowded pursuit of the ever-important second seed. Seattle leads the league at 20-7, but now that the WNBA no longer sets up the playoffs based on conferences the Lynx dont have to be overly concerned about catching the Storm.
“Everybodys going to hang on every game and every movement in the standings, but were not going to,” coach Cheryl Reeve said this week. “This is over nine games. Were going to build our case over nine games.”
The first five of these final nine contests come over an eight-day span, beginning on Thursday night at Los Angeles, their final scheduled meeting with the Sparks. Then they stay on the road to play the Storm on Friday night, before returning home to face the Dream on Sunday night. For Reeve, the challenge will be giving her 30-something players enough rest down the stretch to be fresh for the playoffs but trying not to concede any games in the process. Finish anywhere from third through eighth, and theyll be in a single-elimination situation to start the postseason. That wouldnt be an ideal way to start the defense of their 2017 championship, their fourth in the last seven years.
“Obviously you want to work for the best position in the playoffs, but you also want to be in the best position in the playoffs, if that makes sense. So well know as the games go on. Its certainly something well be mindful of,” Reeve said. “Fingers crossed that we manage that OK.”
The Lynx cant get that 3-6 start back, but theyre experienced enough not to let that define their 2018 season.
“I think throughout every season weve had points where weve hit little rough spots,” forward Rebekkah Brunson said. “It just came early on for us this year. So thats a little bit of a surprise, but we know what it takes to handle these situations and put ourselves in a better position going forward.”
For Brunson, Fowles, forward Maya Moore and guard Seimone Augustus, the quartet of players representing the Lynx at the All-Star game, the opportunity to compete in the leagues showcase event but stay at home was a welcomed one. Every little bit of extra rest counts at this stage.
“I feel like weve got our mojo back,” Augustus said, proudly pointing to the effort required for the 85-82 victory over the New York Liberty on July 24. “If that was any indication of what the second half of the season is going to be like, I feel like were going to be there. As long as were in the pack, as long as weve got opportunities, were fine.”
MINNEAPOLIS — For the WNBAs current dynasty, an uncharacteristic amount of early season losses raised questions about whether the league had outlasted an aging team.
More Lynx coverage
The Minnesota Lynx werent wondering. They never lost their swagger, even if a 3-6 start suggested it was gone. After winning their last three games before the All-Star break, the Lynx are back on their playoff track with nine games to go in the regular season.
“Our confidence is fine. It was fine when we were losing,” center Sylvia Fowles said. “Were just taking it one game at a time.”
With a 15-10 record, the Lynx are only a half-game behind the Atlanta Dream in a crowded pursuit of the ever-important second seed. Seattle leads the league at 20-7, but now that the WNBA no longer sets up the playoffs based on conferences the Lynx dont have to be overly concerned about catching the Storm.
“Everybodys going to hang on every game and every movement in the standings, but were not going to,” coach Cheryl Reeve said this week. “This is over nine games. Were going to build our case over nine games.”
The first five of these final nine contests come over an eight-day span, beginning on Thursday night at Los Angeles, their final scheduled meeting with the Sparks. Then they stay on the road to play the Storm on Friday night, before returning home to face the Dream on Sunday night. For Reeve, the challenge will be giving her 30-something players enough rest down the stretch to be fresh for the playoffs but trying not to concede any games in the process. Finish anywhere from third through eighth, and theyll be in a single-elimination situation to start the postseason. That wouldnt be an ideal way to start the defense of their 2017 championship, their fourth in the last seven years.
“Obviously you want to work for the best position in the playoffs, but you also want to be in the best position in the playoffs, if that makes sense. So well know as the games go on. Its certainly something well be mindful of,” Reeve said. “Fingers crossed that we manage that OK.”
The Lynx cant get that 3-6 start back, but theyre experienced enough not to let that define their 2018 season.
“I think throughout every season weve had points where weve hit little rough spots,” forward Rebekkah Brunson said. “It just came early on for us this year. So thats a little bit of a surprise, but we know what it takes to handle these situations and put ourselves in a better position going forward.”
For Brunson, Fowles, forward Maya Moore and guard Seimone Augustus, the quartet of players representing the Lynx at the All-Star game, the opportunity to compete in the leagues showcase event but stay at home was a welcomed one. Every little bit of extra rest counts at this stage.
“I feel like weve got our mojo back,” Augustus said, proudly pointing to the effort required for the 85-82 victory over the New York Liberty on July 24. “If that was any indication of what the second half of the season is going to be like, I feel like were going to be there. As long as were in the pack, as long as weve got opportunities, were fine.”
