Before I get into the game, whoever is responsible for getting Nika Mühl‘s visa situation settled needs to do it ASAP. Two games in and Mühl hasn’t been able to play? Come on, get it together. Section 111 was rocking and rolling last night in anticipation of this Seattle Storm – Minnesota Lynx rematch from Tuesday. I don’t think anyone expected this to be a cakewalk for either team. If anything, it was more of a fast-paced slog. Seattle is still trying to find some cohesion, which will come.
The Lynx, trying to build on the success of the previous game, seem to be embracing what looks to be a pretty good foundation and understanding of who they are. On both teams, players are learning and improving on their assignments. And as much as I don’t pay a lot of attention to stats, this game provided a few eyebrow-raisers.
Too Many Turnovers From Both Teams In This Game
In a word, turnovers. Depending upon the source of your stats, there were a combined 53 turnovers. 53, compared to 34 in the first game. There was an increased urgency in this game, with both teams having something to prove. Seattle is working on setting the line-up, and Minnesota is continuing to find the right flow. Each team has the pieces to do that without a doubt.
But this quantity of turnovers, I mean, how do you explain it? Lack of focus, trying too hard, or just a lot of bonehead plays? Probably a little bit of everything. Once again, Seattle seemed to have a much easier time scoring in the paint, although the Lynx did fairly well, with Seattle scoring 40 and Minnesota 36. So now we have excessive turnovers, off of which Seattle scored 35 and Minnesota 22. The third stat that can’t be overlooked is fouls. Seattle was called for 25 and Minnesota 23.
The Matter of Officiating
If there is one thing about which fans are experts, it is bad calls. Books could be written about how bad officiating can be. Were there some questionable calls during this game? Oh yes, but as we all know, no matter how hard the crowd screams, it makes no difference in the outcome of any particular decision. While there were no flagrant fouls committed by players, there were a few by the refs.
For three quarters, the Lynx looked fairly in control, which is not to say that Seattle simply folded. No, it was perhaps a little more balanced game in terms of scoring, although Jewel Loyd still struggled from the field, with half of her 20 points coming from the free-throw line. Both Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith found more of a groove and put up respectable numbers. I can appreciate talent from both sides and although I am a Lynx fan, I just like to see good players do their thing.
Minnesota Lynx and Seattle Storm Head To Overtime
The bench points in this game favored the Lynx by two, so each bench did their job. Of course, we all cheered when rookie Alissa Pili nailed a three, which was most likely a real confidence builder for the talented rookie. Diamond Miller is still on what appears to be a minutes restriction, but contributed. Collier, Smith, McBride, and Williams, playing the bulk of the minutes, did not disappoint.
Now, what happened in the last 3:30 of the fourth quarter was mystifying. The Lynx, with an 11-point lead, went ice cold. Couldn’t buy a bucket if they were giving them away. Seattle capitalized on it and tied the game. We all sat there in disbelief watching Seattle do what they wanted. With fifteen seconds left, McBride gets called for a shooting foul on Loyd, on a three-point shot no less, and Loyd ties the game. Overtime.
double OT thriller. 🍿
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) May 18, 2024
Phee – 29 PTS / 9 REB / 6 STL / 5 AST
KMac – 19 PTS / 4 REB / 4 AST
'Lan – 16 PTS / 6 BLK / 5 REB pic.twitter.com/NGfD5Bv3OS
I’m looking around, and people are leaving. Yes, it was late, but come on, this is the home opener. The babysitter, the beer, or the Metamucil can wait. Stick around. That baffles me. The first overtime was anyone’s game, and the Minnesota Lynx started to score again. But Collier, with two seconds left, hits one of two free throws. Second overtime. Collier and McBride scored successive threes and the crowd goes nuts. Diggins-Smith hits a two and is fouled. Makes the free throw.
A minute goes by with fouls, missed shots, and a turnover until McBride hits a layup. Then Alanna Smith hits a three. Collier scores, Mercedes Russell, and Hiedeman makes one of two free throws. Lynx wins. Phew.
Final Thoughts
I do not doubt that both Cheryl Reeve and Noelle Quinn had a lot to say about turnovers. A lot. Even though there were some pretty sloppy moments when no one really controlled the ball very well, this was a hard-fought, determined, and really entertaining game. Now, Seattle needs to fix the Mühl situation, and for the Lynx, when Dorka Juhász comes back, they will have a tough decision to make.
Either Olivia Époupa or Taylor Soule is going to have to go. Whether or not Soule not playing was an indication of anything remains to be seen.
Leaving the arena, there was a look of exhaustion on everyone’s face, and with good reason. Too bad for the people who chose to leave before the end. The Storm head to Washington on Sunday, and the Lynx are off until Thursday when they travel to Connecticut. Both teams have a lot of work to do.
And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.
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