Takeaways: Fowles and Zandalasini headline wire-to-wire Lynx win

Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) greets Cecilia Zandalasini (9) as the team gathers on the bench in the second half of their game against the New York Liberty. Photo by Abe Booker III, Stratman Photography
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) greets Cecilia Zandalasini (9) as the team gathers on the bench in the second half of their game against the New York Liberty. Photo by Abe Booker III, Stratman Photography
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Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) greets Cecilia Zandalasini (9) as the team gathers on the bench in the second half of their game against the New York Liberty. Photo by Abe Booker III, Stratman Photography
Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) greets Cecilia Zandalasini (9) as the team gathers on the bench in the second half of their game against the New York Liberty. Photo by Abe Booker III, Stratman Photography

MINNEAPOLIS — On Saturday night, The Minnesota Lynx put on a display reminiscent of last year’s team…and the six years before that.

For at least one game, the Lynx soothed the nerves of their followers with an 85-71 win over the New York Liberty at Target Center. There’s no telling if Minnesota’s (4-6) wire-to-wire performance is a blip or the start of an upward trend, but the sellout crowd of 9,114 got something they waited for all season: a dominant effort.

“This is what we aim for every game, being aggressive, being ourselves, looking for our shots and looking to do what we’re supposed to do,” said Lynx forward Maya Moore, who scored 20 points.

Until their win over New York (3-6), Minnesota’s aim was considerably off-track, whether it was losing on a buzzer-beater or looking sluggish against a crop of rising contenders. Theories for their struggles were plentiful, but now there are signs that indicate a potential return as contenders.