The Minnesota Lynx will face the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday night in what should be a highly charged rubber match. Here are a few stats to chew on: each team is 8-2 in their previous 10 games. For Minnesota, their two losses have been to the Dallas Wings and Indiana. For the Fever, their two losses were to Dallas and Minnesota.
When they first met in July, Indiana was 11-14 and Minnesota was 22-8. The Fever won by 7 points. When they met in August, the Fever were 13-16, and the Lynx were 22-8. So, what can we garner from this? Nothing really, other than these two teams are both playing damn good basketball.
Understandably, more eyes are on the Fever than on Minnesota. Each team has dynamic players who have taken the reins to bring their respective teams to where they are. Certainly, Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston lead the charge for the Fever, with significant help coming from Lexie Hull and Katie Lou Samuelson.
The Lynx are led by Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Alanna Smith, with Bridget Carleton rounding out the starting five. From where I sit, the Lynx has the edge on bench help. The addition of Myisha Hines-Allen has proven to be a boon to the Lynx bench, providing experience and defensive prowess, as well as scoring.
The Lynx and Fever Had Similar Expectations Ahead of This Season
What these teams also share is that no one expected the Lynx or the Fever to achieve what they have to this point. All the ballyhoo surrounding Caitlin Clark, most of it perpetrated by the national media, has certainly had an impact on the league. With their less-than-stellar start, some speculated that Coach Christie Sides might not make it through the season. Indiana – 1, pundits – 0.
Minnesota was picked to end up 9th. Minnesota – 1, pundits – 0. Coach Cheryl Reeve is in the conversation for Coach of the Year. Collier continues to put up MVP stats, and Clark has just scored her 2nd triple-double. Each team, particularly the Lynx, has a visible chemistry. But what makes both of these teams dangerous is their will to succeed.
on the move. pic.twitter.com/y4d8VAiGGW
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 5, 2024
Each one started from a point of being somewhat overlooked, although the frenzy surrounding Clark served as plenty of grist for the pundit mill. Clark Mania has provided a huge increase in viewership and ticket sales. The Lynx just went ahead and started winning and winning. Even their pre-Olympic low point didn’t stop them when they returned.
As we are seeing, no team is a guaranteed win. The defending champs, the Las Vegas Aces, are sitting at 21-12, the last-place Los Angeles Sparks stunned the first-place New York Liberty, and the Washington Mystics are only a couple of games away from potentially making the playoffs.
When the Lynx and the Fever hit the floor tonight, there will be precisely zero margin for error. Their previous games were both close, and there is no reason to think that this match will be different. Will Gainbridge Fieldhouse be a factor? No. Both teams have played in front of sellout crowds and by now are used to it. It will all be about what happens on the court.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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