“Sports do not build character. They reveal it.” – Heywood Hale Broun. Sunday’s matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and the Chicago Sky was certainly a good example of the character of each of these teams. It certainly was not a pretty game.
In fact, it was downright ugly at times. When the Sky went on a massive tear in the first quarter, I thought, oh please, let this not be Dallas all over again. After a 7-0 Lynx start, the Sky went on a 24-9 run, punching the Lynx right in the old breadbasket.
But slowly, Minnesota started to crawl back and cut the Chicago lead to 5 by the half. The third quarter was a slugfest, with each team scoring 18. And then, the Lynx defense woke up, as did the offense, and Minnesota outscored Chicago 18-5 to take a 70-62 win.
How the Stars Fared in this Lynx-Sky Matchup
What I appreciated the most about this game was the way that each team took advantage of every situation. When one team was lagging, the other pounced. Yes, there were some moments of WNBA hot potato, where the ball had a mind of its own.
Yes, the Sky started out overwhelming the Lynx in the paint, although Minnesota slowly closed that gap. Napheesa Collier started slowly, as did Marina Mabrey. Bridget Carleton, who has been killing it lately, had a slow game, and the Lynx held Kamilla Cardoso to three points. Kayla McBride got half of her 16 points at the free-throw line. Lindsay Allen hits some key threes for the Sky, and Chennedy Carter led all Chicago scorers with 15.
back in the win column 😏 pic.twitter.com/fuIMczvUPP
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 30, 2024
Putting aside the bravado and sometimes volatility, Carter is one damn good baller. Some might think that the Sky intentionally fouled near the end of the game so that Angel Reese could get a double-double. Even if that’s true, so what? Teams do that all the time if someone is about to set a record. That’s part of the fun of the game.
Bench Play of Both Teams
The Lynx relied marginally more on their bench than the Sky. In fact, all Sky starters played 31+ minutes. Neither bench made a huge impact, but I am inclined to give a slight edge to Minnesota. Cecilia Zandalasini hit some key shots, and Natisha Hiedeman brought the energy she so often does. The game was too close for either coach to sub out very often, so this was very much a starter-heavy game.
Speaking of Reese, I am becoming more and more of a fan. Again, putting aside the media hoopla, when I watch her play there is a youthful intensity that, as the above quote states, reveals her character, what I perceive to be a real basketball character. This is a kid eager to learn, eager to improve, and, from my perspective, is someone who does not take where she is for granted.
Minnesota as a team has revealed so much of their character all season long. To play what might be called a sub-par game and get the win shows character. It shows the ability to dig down deep and do what needs to be done, to take advantage of every opportunity, and not let up. That is their identity. Sure, there will be plenty for them to learn from this game, but getting the win against a formidable opponent on the road is indeed an accomplishment.
The Chicago Sky, while having an up-and-down season, is a worthy opponent. Every team has and/or will be there at some time. But they fight, that is for sure. I like Chicago’s moxie. Hopefully, for them, they can turn it into some consistency.
What’s Next for the Lynx and Sky?
Up next for the Lynx will be the New York Liberty on Tuesday. The Liberty had their own struggles with Atlanta, eking out a win. Minnesota has beaten them twice, and while the Commissioner’s Cup win does not figure into the season stats, both teams are well aware of what they need to do. For Chicago, they head to Atlanta on Tuesday.
Currently, the Sky is a game behind the Dream, with Indiana sandwiched in between them. I think both teams will be looking for a decisive win, which could lead to a tough, physical game with no shortage of intensity. So everyone gets to regroup and move on to the next one.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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