Minnesota Lynx Secure Home Court Advantage in WNBA Playoffs
The Minnesota Lynx have secured home-court advantage throughout the WNBA playoffs, after achieving their 31st victory, a franchise record. The triumph was realized with a score of 94-70 against Connecticut on Saturday. The Minnesota team demonstrated its offensive power, with five players reaching double figures in points. 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 finished in second place, behind New York, who had home-court advantage in the Finals and won the decisive Game 5 in Brooklyn. This year, the Finals have been extended to a seven-game format. In addition to having the best overall league record with 31-8, the Lynx also stand out for their home performance, with an impressive record of 18-2.The games are very difficult, no matter where you play. Having that home advantage and feeling the energy of your fans is huge.
Alanna Smith
Cheryl Reeve, with a long history since 2010, is the longest-tenured coach in the WNBA. Under her direction, the Lynx have won titles in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, in addition to reaching the finals in 2012, 2016, and 2024. In the current WNBA season, which consists of 44 games, the Lynx achieved their 31st victory in their 39th game. This achievement surpasses the 30 wins of the previous season, obtained in 40 games. Their best regular season winning percentage was 82.4% in 2016, with a record of 28-6. Currently, the team has a 79.5% winning percentage, 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, and our fans are fantastic. They are going to support us with everything. It doesn’t mean it’s easy, but any advantage we can get, we need to secure it. It was one of our goals, and I’m glad the team has achieved it.
Cheryl Reeve, Lynx coach
Despite securing the home-court advantage, coach Reeve assured that the team will not slow down for the remainder of the regular season.Week to week in the league… we really never look at our record. So when you clinch something and you look at the record, you say, ‘Oh my God!’ What does it mean? That this group is really special.
Cheryl Reeve
Of the Lynx’s remaining five games, four will be against teams that have already secured their playoff spot or are in the fight for one: Las Vegas, Indiana, and Golden State (twice). Thursday’s game in Las Vegas, which has won 12 consecutive games, will also be the last regular season matchup between the top MVP candidates, Collier and the Aces’ center, A’ja Wilson.We don’t have that mentality 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, generate some momentum in some areas. I can’t imagine this group ever going into a game thinking, ‘This doesn’t mean anything.’ It’s a very dangerous place to compete, when you go into a game with the mentality that you’re not going to give it your all.
Cheryl Reeve
