For a team that was picked in the pre-season to either make it to the bottom rung of the playoff teams or be a lottery pick, the Minnesota Lynx caught everyone by surprise – except themselves.
Losing as they did to the New York Liberty will be a topic of discussion for a while, as will their incredible degree of success in 2024. Several significant facts are worth looking at. First, their ability to succeed against the so-called “super teams.” Against the newly re-tooled Seattle Storm, 3-1.
Against the defending champion Las Vegas Aces, 3-1. Against the New York Liberty, including the finals and the Commissioner’s Cup, 5-4. The only top team they struggled against was Connecticut, but put that to rest by beating the Sun 3-2 in the semifinals. While the Lynx went through a rough patch before the Olympic break, they came back to have the best league record for the rest of the regular season.
What has made this team so special has bee their chemistry, something that began on Day 1 of training camp. With a gym filled with talented players, Coach Cheryl Reeves had the daunting task of assembling a team that would be reliable, that would easily adopt her vision for the season, and would carry on the Lynx tradition of discipline, maturity, and that special chemistry that brought them four titles.
Impact Lynx Roster In The 2024 WNBA Season
Enter Courtney Williams, Alanna Smith, and Natisha Hiedeman. Williams and Smith were signed as free agents, and Hiedeman was brought in on a trade from Connecticut. Their impact was immediate, and all three players, throughout the season, proved to be welcome pieces to the new Lynx puzzle.
Bridget Carleton, the soft-spoken Canadian, had a break-out season, was third in the voting for Most Improved Player, and provided Minnesota with a dependable new starter, bringing clutch shots when needed, and contributing a strong, focused defender in addition to her offensive skills.
a special year for a special group. 💙 pic.twitter.com/P5XITJ2n2L
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 23, 2024
Kayla McBride continued to rack up stats, becoming a powerhouse scorer from three. Perhaps there were times when McBride struggled, as did everyone, and as does everyone in the league, but when needed the most, there she was.
Off the bench, both Cecilia Zandalasini and Dorka Juhász provided meaningful minutes, with Zandalasini becoming more comfortable in the league, and Juhász making great strides from her rookie season, showing a lot more confidence in her game.
A Unified Roster
What sets the Lynx apart from other teams is a noticeable lack of drama. This wasn’t a team that got much if any, social media attention outside of the game. They also did not engage in on-court antics, showing more discipline than other teams. This allowed the Lynx to just get on with the business at hand rather than deal with additional distractions.
you showed out, Lynx fam. 💙 pic.twitter.com/I9HZQ9E2M0
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 23, 2024
Then, of course, there was the cornerstone of the team, Napheesa Collier. Collier won the Defensive Player of the Year and came in second in the MVP voting. What Collier brings to the team is great leadership, maturity, and a level of skill that is nothing short of remarkable. It is very much a compilation of talents that make up Collier as an athlete, a leader, and a person. Simply put, if there is a template for a consummate player, Napheesa Collier comes very, very close.
The Potential Look Of The Lynx Moving Forward
Even though the season has just ended, questions will abound about the futures of some players. Who will be protected, who will be taken in the expansion draft by Golden State, and who might get traded? Will late signee Myisha Hines-Allen be back? Hiedeman signed a one-year contract and will be a free agent, as will Hines-Allen.
What about Diamond Miller, who saw very little playing time, as did rookie Alissa Pili? Will Olivia Époupa and Zandalasini remain with the team? The expansion draft is coming in December, which will be the first of several changes. Pundits will speculate, but only the Golden State coach knows who they will be interested in.
Regardless of what happens in all these situations, I think it is fair to say that the Minnesota Lynx will certainly be in the title conversation next season. They already are. As we’ve seen, repeating is extremely difficult.
Las Vegas did it, then didn’t. Will New York do it, or will another team come to the front as Minnesota did? Off-season conversation to be sure. One thing is, I think, certain; Cheryl Reeve will want to get back to the finals, with a vengeance. But for now, we can sit back and look at the accomplishments of the Minnesota Lynx and wonder where they can go from here. Enjoy the off-season.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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