NFL
The Minnesota Lynx looked every bit like one of the WNBA’s most balanced teams Sunday night. The Chicago Sky won 85-75 in a rematch that showcased unselfish basketball. It also showed offensive firepower from multiple contributors.
Minnesota controlled the game early. They put together a dominant first half. The Lynx exploded for 52 points and overwhelmed Chicago on both ends of the floor. Leading the charge was Natasha Howard. She delivered a huge opening half with 22 points and nine rebounds, consistently attacking the paint and creating second-chance opportunities.
However, the second half told a different story. The Chicago Sky made a clear defensive adjustment to slow Howard down in the post, limiting her to just four points after halftime. The momentum began to shift, and Chicago chipped away at the deficit. The Lynx responded with a true next-player-up mentality.
That response started with rookie sensation Olivia Miles. The rookie guard brought energy and composure in the third quarter. She scores seven key points while helping stabilize the offense during Chicago’s push. Miles continued to show flashes of the playmaking ability and confidence that have quickly made her an important piece of Minnesota’s rotation early in the season.
Then came the veteran leadership in the fourth quarter. With the Sky cutting the lead down to four points, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride took over to help close the game out. Williams provided a spark on both ends. She scored six fourth-quarter points while adding two steals that shifted momentum back in Minnesota’s favor. McBride, meanwhile, delivered exactly what the Lynx needed most, timely shooting. The veteran guard knocked down two clutch three-pointers and scored eight points in the quarter to help seal the victory.
Despite the win, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve made it clear afterward that she was not satisfied with the team’s second-half performance. Reeve stated she was “happy to get a win, knowing there’s still a lot to work on,” while expressing frustration with the team’s lack of execution after halftime. The longtime coach even admitted the Lynx were “lucky to win the game” after allowing Chicago back into contention.
Still, Reeve did praise the team’s growing defensive chemistry. She emphasized how important their late-game stops were in securing the road victory. Reeve noted that the Lynx defense has “gotten to a place where we feel like we can really rely on that to help us win road games.” She highlights what continues to become a major identity for this Minnesota squad.
The second-half collapse gave the Lynx plenty to clean up moving forward. However, this game also highlighted the depth and versatility that make Minnesota such a dangerous team. From Natasha Howard’s dominance early, to Olivia Miles stepping up during adversity, to veterans like Williams and McBride closing the door late, the Lynx showed they can win in multiple ways.
If Minnesota can continue building consistency offensively while maintaining the defensive intensity Reeve praised postgame, this team has the potential to become one of the toughest matchups in the WNBA throughout the season. The chemistry between the veterans and younger pieces continues to grow. Minnesota may only be scratching the surface of what they can become.
