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Jessica Shepard impressive in season opener victory for Minnesota

By Jared Hines

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 25: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx passes against Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the Chicago Sky during their game at Target Center on May 25, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 25: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Minnesota Lynx passes against Courtney Vandersloot #22 of the Chicago Sky during their game at Target Center on May 25, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Napheesa Collier wasn’t the only rookie who excelled

MINNEAPOLIS — The Target Center crowd of 8,524 anxiously awaited how the “new” Lynx team would look coming into the 2019 season. A roster full of rookies, new acquisitions, and the absence of Lindsay Whalen and Maya Moore meant that it was time for new players to step into new roles.

Napheesa Collier and Jessica Shepard did just that in the May 25 season opening 89-71 win for Minnesota. Collier scored the second most points ever for a rookie in a season opener and Shepard’s 13 rebounds were the most by any WNBA player in their debut since DeTrina White in 2004. My colleague Derek James has a terrific breakdown on how Collier imposed her will.

Odyssey Sims and Danielle Robinson traded off running the offense and all 10 active players were able to get minutes in the win. Let’s take a look at how Shepard adapted right away Saturday night.

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Don’t you…forget about me

Even though fellow rookie Jessica Shepard came off the bench in Saturday night’s win, the former Notre Dame forward played 27 minutes, the third most on the night for Minnesota. Shepard didn’t make a field goal in the game but helped out everywhere else on both ends of the floor. Five offensive rebounds and eight more on defense gave her a total of 13 which not only led both teams but was the most by any player in their WNBA debut since DeTrina White back on May 21, 2004. Shepard added six assists and was 3-for-4 from the free throw line in her first professional action.

“She might have been a little tired and I should probably take that one,” Reeve said after the game talking about Shepard’s minutes. “You know, I had her out there for a long time but yes, it’s high confidence everything you saw from her tonight.”

Shepard’s one flaw in her first game was her six turnovers, which were a team high. Obviously, much of that came from first game jitters and rushing at times but Reeve stressed the importance of her needing to get those down in a hurry, especially with how much she is going to be expected to play in the short term with teammates injured.

For Shepard’s part, the faith Reeve put in her was both rewarding and not particularly unexpected.

“I think playing at Notre Dame, we played against some of the best players,” Shepard told reporters following the game. “I’m going against Bri Turner, who’s in the league, too. I think that definitely gets you ready, but I also think just the confidence that she (Coach Reeve) has in us rookies. When you can go in there and play comfortably, and not be worried about making one mistake and coming out, it makes it a lot easier.”

The Lynx will look for both Collier and Shepard to be a part of the short and long term solution in Minnesota with Christmas-Kelly and Seimone Augustus continuing to deal with injuries. Although both are rookies, Shepard and Collier played like veterans tonight, making Reeve able to breathe a sigh of relief as she defeated former assistant coach James Wade. The Lynx welcome Seattle to Target Center on May 29.

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