| 2022 Minnesota Lynx season | |
|---|---|
| Coach | Cheryl Reeve |
| Arena | Target Center |
| Attendance | 7,444 per game |
| Results | |
| Record | 14–22 (.389) |
| Place | 5th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Team Leaders | |
| Points | Sylvia Fowles Aerial Powers – 14.4 ppg |
| Rebounds | Sylvia Fowles – 9.8 rpg |
| Assists | Moriah Jefferson – 4.9 apg |
| Media | |
| Television | Bally Sports North ESPN ESPN2 ABC NBA TV CBS Sports Network Amazon Prime |
The 2022 WNBA season is the current and 24th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season began on May 6, 2022, versus the Seattle Storm.[1]
On November 28, 2021, Napheesa Collier announced her pregnancy with an announcement in People Magazine. Collier stated, "“I am very excited to start a family with my fiancé Alex. Having a child is truly a beautiful journey and I am grateful to have the support of our families, friends and the Lynx as I begin this special chapter of motherhood.”[2] On December 8, 2021, Cheryl Reeve was named the new United States women's national basketball team head coach for the 2021-2024 cycle.[3]
On February 1, 2022, the Lynx opened free agency and re-signed Sylvia Fowles to a one-year deal. Fowles also announced at this time that this season would be her last and she would be retiring following the 2022 season.[4]
The Lynx struggled to start the season, losing their first four games and only winning two games in the first month of the season. They finished May 2–7 overall. Their struggles continued into June as they won only one of the first seven games in the month and went on a five game losing streak. However, their fortunes improved at the end of the month as they won three of their last four games to finish the month 4–7. The momentum carried over into July and the Lynx won four of their first six games, but then only won two of their last five games to finish the season 6–5. A better August might have seen the Lynx qualify for the playoffs, but they finished the month 2–3, which left them one game out of the eighth and final playoff spot. This was the first time since 2010, the Lynx missed the playoffs and had a sub-.500 record. This ended the WNBA’s longest active playoff streak at 12 straight years.
Moriah Jefferson recorded the first-ever triple-double in Lynx history on June 28, 2022. She had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 92–64 victory over her former team, the Dallas Wings. The 10 assists were also a career-high for Jefferson.[5]
Napheesa Collier returned to the court on August 7, 2022, just 10 and half weeks after giving birth to her daughter. She finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in the game.[6]