The Minnesota Lynx are one of two teams to start the season with a 6-0 record. It is no coincidence that the other team is New York. The Liberty and Lynx faced off in the finals last year and look like the best teams in the league once again. After last year’s heartbreaking defeat in Game 5, the Lynx are hungry for revenge and well-prepared to execute it.
The Lynx have the key to winning it all, and it is not their star player. Napheesa Collier is putting together an early MVP case, averaging 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks over her first five games. Having a star like Collier certainly makes competing for a championship easier. However, one star rarely wins a title. The Lynx surrounded Collier with a great supporting cast and that will be the key to realizing Minnesota’s title hopes.
The Lynx have a deep, cohesive roster
Minnesota didn’t make any big moves this offseason, opting to keep the core that carried the team to the finals intact. The most significant change the front office made was adding Jessica Shepard and Karlie Samuelson to the mix. Both were solid moves, giving the Lynx extra depth, size, and 3-point shooting.
Collier leads the way in everything the Lynx do but her teammates all play their parts as well. Courtney Williams, for example, has embraced her role as the Lynx’s starting point guard and is off to a hot start, averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and one steal per game. She ranks fifth in assists per game across the league.
Kayla McBride missed the start of the season due to personal reasons but returned to the court ready to pick up where she left off. Over two games, she scored 35 points, made six 3-pointers, grabbed four rebounds, dished out seven assists, and got her hands on three steals.
After Collier, Williams, and McBride, the Lynx’s next most important player is arguably Alanna Smith. Smith’s ability to protect the rim on defense and space the floor on offense makes her the perfect center to play next to Collier. She is currently shooting 47.8 percent from three on 4.6 attempts per game—the best percentage on the team. Backup big Jessica Shepard has been big on the boards and boosts the team’s bench scoring alongside Natiesha Hiedeman and Karlie Samuelson.
Bridget Carleton, who was a big part of the Lynx’s success last season, has been struggling from three, but the rest of the roster has been able to make up for it. The Lynx were also able to make up for Collier’s absence when they faced Phoenix, proving how much the supporting cast around her can do.
Minnesota is a top two-way team to start the season
The Lynx didn’t just put together a cohesive offensive squad. Minnesota is also strong on the other end of the floor. This is not surprising if you consider the defensive talent and athleticism between Collier, Smith, McBride, Carleton, and Williams. The Lynx currently have the fourth-best defensive rating in the league and the third-best offensive rating.
Being a top two-way team is the perfect foundation for a deep playoff run.