The Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces are ranked first and third in the WNBA, respectively, and if the playoffs started today the two teams wouldn't meet one another unless they both made it to the finals. And, considering we're talking about the Lynx and the Aces, the likelihood that they'll both make it to the Finals is pretty high.
A Championship run was certainly on Becky Hammon's mind when the teams met on Saturday, August 15 — their final game of the regular season. And though the Lynx edged out a 92-87 win, Hammon wasn't too downtrodden. In fact, she told reporters after the game that she learned something, and the Aces will be even more prepared if they indeed meet the Lynx at the end of the season.
"I thought we gained some good information going forward," Hammon said. "I got my wheels already thinking here. If we have to match up with them again, we’ll do some things differently."
The Minnesota Lynx are determined to win this year
While the Aces are always a formidable team and a likely Champion lock, the Lynx haven't won since 2017 and it's not because they haven't been trying. The team has contended with injuries, with roster shake-ups, and with matches that felt like they were taken from them. They've dominated the WNBA this season, an effort that's been led by rookie Olivia Miles and veteran Kayla McBride. Napheesa Collier's return after suffering dual ankle injuries has only powered the team to more success.
But WNBA teams don't win Championships just because they really want them, and they sometimes don't even win them when they deserve them (and the Lynx might know a thing or two about that). There are no guarantees in basketball, and both Minnesota and Las Vegas will have to contend with strong efforts from the Golden State Valkyries, Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, and New York Liberty, who are ranked second, fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively. Right now, the Washington Mystics and Dallas Wings round out the top eight teams in the league.
The Valkyries have had a second season that's been even more remarkable than their unprecedented first season in the WNBA. Owner Joe Lacob asked head coach Natalie Nakase for a Championship win within the first five years; she's appeared on the brink of delivering that request in the first two all season. All of the top 8 teams in the league will be difficult do dismantle, but the Valkyries are clearly taking no prisoners.
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