The Minnesota Lynx have wrapped up week two of their season, so that means it’s time for our second edition of Lynx Weekly!
As part of our weekly update on all things Lynx, we review their statistical trends, developing storylines, and forecast what’s ahead.
Week in Review
The Lynx certainly surprised the masses with a 2-1 start against three teams that have hopes of deep playoff runs. Then they dropped a home game to a banged up, rebuilding Chicago Sky team that slightly reset expectations.
Minnesota had just two
games this week and bounced back well with a 2-0 record, moving them to 4-2 overall and sitting at second place in the Western Conference, fourth overall. They thrashed the expansion Toronto Tempo to earn their first win at Target Center, then got revenge on the Chicago Sky.
- Thursday, May 21 — Minnesota 100, Toronto 72
- Saturday, May 23 — Minnesota 85, Chicago 75
Peaking at the Numbers
Let’s go under the hood and see how Minnesota has improved from week one to week two.
Week 1:
OFFRTG: 104.8 (10th)
DEFRTG: 105.5 (9th)
NETRTG: -0.6 (10th)
eFG%: 55.3 (3rd)
FTr: 28.7 (10th)
TOV%: 18.7 (10th)
OREB%: 28.2 (11th)
A few numbers that were alarming during week one was the DREB% (64.4) and 3PA (18.0) numbers which were both dead last in the league. They were also bottom three in free throws attempted and free throw percentage, while also allowing their opponents a very high free throw rate.
So how did the Lynx survive with a 2-2 record? Where they did do better was on the defensive end. They forced their opponents to low eFG% and high TOV% numbers. As a result, their offense was top four in points off turnovers and second chance points. This was a big reason for their high eFG% number despite hardly attempting shots from beyond the arc.
Week 2:
OFFRTG: 107.3 (9th) ↑
DEFRTG: 100.4 (2nd) ↑↑
NETRTG: 6.9 (3rd) ↑↑
eFG%: 54.8 (4th) ↓
FTr: 28.9 (12th) ↓
TOV%: 20.2 (13th) ↓
OREB%: 35.6 (2nd) ↑↑
We’re still just six games into the season so small sample size rings true here. The romping of the expansion Toronto Tempo certainly had a large impact on the numbers. As mentioned above, the defensive has really hit its stride, improving all the way from ninth to third in DEFRTG. Their DREB% also improved from 15th to eighth.
As usual, you can expect a Cheryl Reeve team to make defense non-negotiable.
Tash’s Turnaround
There was a mixed reaction from Lynx fans when Natasha Howard re-signed with Minnesota. After helping the Lynx dynasty era win their final championship in 2017 as a 25-year-old, she went on to have an extremely decorated run with a number of different teams. Two more championships, earning Most Improved Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, All-Star and All-WNBA Team nods, and other accomplishments.
At age 34, Howie returns a grizzled vet on a sizeable contract while stating that she always planned to return to the Lynx before she retired.
The nay-sayers of this signing looked spot-on during her first two appearances in a Lynx uniform again. Between the last preseason game and first regular season game of the year, Howard struggled big time. She looked slow moving up and down the court. Constantly fumbled the ball. Couldn’t convert any shots from beyond the arc, nor the free throw line.
However, sometimes you got to give the cake time to bake.
In the last five games, Tash has completely come to life. Look at the different between the previously mentioned two games, and since then.
Howard has arguably been the best player for the Lynx thus far. She is the oldest player on the team, but has shouldered a huge responsibility on both ends of the court with Napheesa Collier, Dorka Juhász, and now Emma Čechová out with injury. Minnesota certainly wouldn’t be where they are without her huge turnaround.
Burgeoning Bench Bunch
Coach Reeve hasn’t been shy to call out her bench early on this season. It’s a brand new bunch so growing pains were to be expected. However, Reeve demands excellence and has been critical of their ability to help the starters when they need to take five. She has mentioned how tough the coaching staff has been on them in practice.
Last Thursday, against Toronto, Reeve finally got through to them.
Maya Caldwell-Ellwanger, who was acquired via trade just before the start of the season, has emerged as a bench leader. The 5-foot-11-inch wing has been a ball of energy, taking on every tough defensive assignment while also contributing on the offensive end. She has been a sniper from beyond the arc, converting at a team-best 42.9% mark (Of any player shooting more than 1.0 3PA).
Meanwhile, development player Liatu King has also had some bright moments in her first two games as a Lynx. The second-year player has been a stout interior defender, producing at a position of dire need for the Lynx. Despite the small sample size, she is sporting a plus-minus of +38 in week two.
Three-Headed Monster
There are three players on the Lynx who are currently averaging over 30 minutes per game. It’s the co-captains Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, along with rookie sensation Olivia Miles. How has that worked out for Minnesota?
It’d be hard to name a more reliable guard rotation in the W than this. Reeve has long been a believer in an “everyone eats” type of offense, relying on ball movement and heavy cutting. This has been perfect for this trio, who attack in different ways.
Court has increased her scoring efficiency as she’s slid more into her natural shooting guard role. KMac has yet to find her groove from distance, but is posting a career-high from two-point range. Olivia Miles, who was a prolific three-point threat in college, has been getting to the rim at will and doing her damage from the paint.
Once again, pundits have seemingly underestimated the Lynx foundation and Reeve’s ability to get the most out of her players. In a world of sports where shiny stars and belief in talent rule the headlines, Reeve is showing that chemistry and teamwork can holds its own.
The Week Ahead
It’ll be another two-game schedule in the next 7 days. Minnesota jumps it up against two teams they’ve already faced a combined three times this season. Don’t miss the action!
- Wednesday, May 27 — Minnesota vs. Atlanta, 6PM CT on Victory+
- Friday, May 29 — Minnesota at Chicago, 4:30PM CT on ION
