Lynx Secure Home Court Advantage in WNBA Playoffs
The Minnesota Lynx secured home-court advantage throughout the WNBA playoffs after achieving their 31st victory, a franchise record, with a score of 94-70 against Connecticut on Saturday. The Lynx team demonstrated their power with five players scoring in double digits. Alanna Smith and DiJonai Carrington led the attack with 18 points each, while Napheesa Collier contributed 17 points and nine rebounds.Last season, the Lynx were runners-up in the league, losing to New York, who had the home-court advantage in the WNBA Finals and won the decisive Game 5. This year, the Finals have expanded to a seven-game format. The Lynx not only have the best overall record with 31-8, but also the best home performance with 18-2.The games are very tough, no matter where you play. So having that home advantage, feeling the energy of your fans, is huge.
Alanna Smith
Reeve, the coach with the longest tenure in the WNBA since 2010, has guided the Lynx to titles in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, in addition to runner-up finishes in 2012, 2016, and 2024. The WNBA season has been extended to 44 games this year; Minnesota achieved its 31st victory in its 39th game. This surpasses last season’s 30 wins in 40 games. The Lynx’s best winning percentage in a regular season was 82.4% in 2016, with a record of 28-6. Their second-best percentage is 79.4%, achieved in 2017, 2012, and 2011. Currently, they are at 79.5% with five games remaining.Now we have a scenario where if we win our home games, we win the WNBA championship. We believe in our capabilities at home; our fanbase is fantastic. They are going to come and support us like crazy.
Cheryl Reeve, Lynx coach
Despite securing the home-field advantage, Reeve emphasized that the team will not slow down for the remainder of the regular season.Week in and week out in the league… we’ve really never looked at our record. So, when you clinch something and you look at the record, you go, ‘Oh my gosh!’ What does that mean? That this group is really special.
Cheryl Reeve
We don’t have that mindset that it doesn’t mean anything. It always means something. Can we work on some things that we have the opportunity to analyze? Maybe some combinations, build some momentum in some areas.
Cheryl Reeve
Four of the Lynx’s remaining five games are against teams that have already secured their playoff spot or are in the fight: Las Vegas, Indiana, and Golden State (twice). Thursday’s game in Las Vegas, which has won 12 straight games, is also the last regular season matchup between the leading MVP candidates, Collier and the Aces’ center, A’ja Wilson.
