“We did enough to win the game. We just didn’t…” Lynx Coach Cheryl Reeve. There are times when it is as simple as that. Statistically, the Minnesota Lynx outplayed the Connecticut Sun in all but two crucial categories: free throws and points in the paint. The Lynx went 12-20 from the stripe. The Sun outscored the Lynx 46-36 in the paint.
Both teams struggled from three, with the Lynx shooting 4-21 and the Sun 5-11. The Lynx outscored the Sun off of turnovers, with the Lynx scoring 24 points off of 18 Sun turnovers and the Sun scoring 19 points off of 17 Lynx turnovers.
Minnesota Lynx and Its Bench Against The Sun
The Lynx starters outscored the Connecticut starters. However, the Lynx bench fell short, which contributed to the struggle. Not that the Sun’s bench did much better, but the lack of bench production puts a greater burden on the starters.
Napheesa Collier played 44 minutes, with Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams each playing 40 minutes for the Lynx. DeWanna Bonner played 36 minutes, Alyssa Thomas 44, Tyasha Harris 38, Brionna Jones 27, and DiJonai Carrington 24 for the Sun. Alanna Smith fouled out with 2:43 left in the fourth quarter, which took an important piece out of the starting lineup.
How crucial it was is hard to say. Probably not as much as the missed free throws. And of course, there were questionable fouls on both sides, but that is the name of the game, human error. Personally, I wouldn’t want to see some sort of electronic referee similar to the VAR used in the English Premier League. It may work for soccer, but not basketball.
As much as I dislike stooping to cliché, it’s the little things that matter. In this game, that was precisely the case. At halftime, the Sun had come back from being down nine points to lead by two. Each team had their runs as expected, and each team fought back. Up until the end of overtime, there was no clear-cut winner, until Bonner hit two free throws and McBride missed a jumper.
30 PT PHEE. 🫣 pic.twitter.com/dTXyQDdw5X
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 24, 2024
So, how do the Lynx look for ways to do enough to win, and then win? Free throws, bench production, fewer turnovers, and fewer fouls, which is probably the hardest element, since those decisions belong to the refs. Certainly, better paint protection and taking care of the ball need to be focused on to bolster chances to win. While I do not believe in moral victories, I will say the most positive element for the Minnesota Lynx is their chemistry and focus, which was definitely on display in this game.
Were the Sun and the Lynx evenly matched? I would say so, which has not always been the case, particularly for Minnesota over the past couple of years. This is a different Lynx team and one that has the ability to do enough and win.
Minnesota Lynx Head Back Home For Their Next Game
Up next for Minnesota is a home game Saturday against the New York Liberty, who were handed their first loss by Chicago. Both teams will be eager to bounce back. Let’s hope the home court provides Minnesota win that extra oomph to bounce a little higher. Connecticut travels to Chicago for a Saturday game as well. Could this be their first loss? Facing an energized Chicago Sky might prove to be too large a challenge. We shall see.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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