The Minnesota Lynx have won all seven of their games this season. Despite the team’s perfect record, Lynx players insist that they can — and should — do better.
They will focus on playing more consistently across four quarters when they tip off against the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.
Lynx guard Courtney Williams said she and her teammates were not happy after trailing 52-51 at halftime of their most recent game against the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Minnesota outscored Golden State 35-23 in the second half to notch the win.
“Sometimes, it seems we take things for granted,” Williams said. “We have to stop doing that. We can’t be a second-half team.”
This will be the second game between the Lynx and Mercury this season. The teams met Friday in Phoenix, when the Lynx held on for a 74-71 victory thanks to Natisha Hiedeman burying a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds.
Minnesota star Napheesa Collier (knee) sat out the contest, while Phoenix standout Alyssa Thomas (left calf) also missed the game.
Phoenix is off to a 5-2 start despite injuries to top players Kahleah Copper (knee) and Thomas. The Mercury signed ex-Atlanta Dream guard Haley Jones to a hardship contract on Sunday to help fill the void left by others’ injuries.
Mercury coach Nate Tibbetts said he was proud of his players for embracing adversity.
“We’ve had to deal with injuries already in the season,” Tibbetts said. “In the long run, you try to turn it into a positive, and it’s going to help us down the line.”
One reason Phoenix has kept winning is the performance of Satou Sabally. The 27-year-old forward is averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 rebounds this season. She had 26 points and 11 boards against Minnesota on Friday.
Thomas is second on the Mercury with 15.2 points per game. Monique Akoa Makani (9.7 points per game) and Kitija Laksa (8.7) round out the top four scorers.
The Lynx are led by Collier, who is averaging 26.3 points and 8.3 rebounds. She also has a team-high 2.3 steals per game, and she is second on the team with 1.3 blocks per contest.
Minnesota also relies on Kayla McBride (17 points per game), Williams (15) and Alanna Smith (11.3). Jessica Shepard is next with 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Collier said the Lynx are happy with their undefeated start, but they know they are capable of doing more in order to reach their lofty aspirations for the season.
“The fact that we know what to do and we’re not going out and doing it, it’s extremely frustrating,” Collier said. “The coaches can’t go out and do it for us. We have to take responsibility for that. … We just need to do it for four quarters.”
–Field Level Media
