The Minnesota Lynx will look to remain perfect and clinch the season series with the Dallas Wings on Sunday afternoon when the two teams square off in a Commissioner’s Cup game in Arlington, Texas.
Minnesota won the first two games with the Wings, once on the road on May 16 and in Minneapolis five days later. The teams finish the season set on Sept. 1 in Minnesota.
The Lynx (8-0) are coming off a dominating 88-65 win at home over the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday.
Napheesa Collier produced her fourth straight double-double by racking up 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead Minnesota. Natisha Hiedeman added 18 points off the bench, and Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith finished with 13 points apiece for the Lynx.
Minnesota led by nine points at the break and poured it on in the second half of the Tuesday game.
“I thought, from start to finish, it was probably our best defensive game,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said afterward.
The Lynx sit atop the league in assist percentage (77.8), meaning just shy of four out of every five of their baskets come off an assist.
“It comes natural to them,” Reeve said of her team’s passing prowess. “We do ask for the ball movement and we do frown upon bad shots. So just working for the easy one, they buy into it, they believe in it and they’re all willing to make one more (pass).”
The Lynx are just the eighth team in WNBA history — and second this year — to start a season 8-0. It’s just the fourth-best start in Lynx history; they also hold the all-time record for most consecutive wins to start a season with 13 in 2016.
Dallas (1-8) has dropped four straight games, including a 93-79 setback at home to the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday.
The Wings played without star rookie Paige Bueckers and fellow point guard Tyasha Harris, who are both out as they work their way back from concussions. Neither is expected to play on Sunday.
DiJonai Carrington led the Wings with 16 points in Friday’s loss. JJ Quinerly added 14 points off the bench and Luisa Geiselsoder collected 11 points and 10 rebounds.
“Los Angeles exposed us more than anyone has for not having a point guard these past three games,” Wings coach Chris Koclanes said. “That was very evident tonight.”
–Field Level Media
