2024 Minnesota Lynx season | |
---|---|
Coach | Cheryl Reeve |
Arena | Target Center |
Attendance | 9,292 per game |
Results | |
Record | 30–10 (.750) |
Place | 1st (Western) |
Playoff finish | 2nd seed; Lost in Finals 2–3 to New York |
Team Leaders | |
Points | Napheesa Collier – 20.4 ppg |
Rebounds | Napheesa Collier – 9.7 rpg |
Assists | Courtney Williams – 5.5 apg |
Media | |
Television | Bally Sports North ESPN CBS Sports Network ION Amazon Prime Video |
The 2024 Minnesota Lynx season is the 26th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the fifteenth season under head coach Cheryl Reeve.
The season tipped-off on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Seattle against the Seattle Storm.[1]
The Lynx went 4–1 in the WNBA Commissioner's Cup Western Conference standings, and clinched a spot in the Cup Final against the New York Liberty on June 13, 2024.[2] This is the first time in the Lynx history that they represented the Western Conference in the Cup, since it started in 2021. Napheesa Collier was named MVP of the 2024 WNBA Commissioner's Cup Final, as the Lynx defeated the Liberty 94-89.[3]
Cheryl Reeve was named the Coach of the Year and Napheesa Collier was named the Defensive Player of the Year on September 22, 2024.[4] Collier was also named to the AP All-WNBA First team.[4]
The Lynx wrapped the season having won 14 out of the 16 games after the Olympic break. The team had the highest number of assists per game and highest three-point shooting percentage in the league.[5] A little over 76% of their baskets were done with an assist in the regular season.[6] They finished the regular season with a 30–10 record and headed into the playoffs ranked second in the league.[7]
The players have noted the early chemistry of the team even with several players added to the roster this season.[8] Alanna Smith on this year's team: "We've all acknowledged that we've never been on a team quite like what we are now and it's kind of fitting we've drawn it out as long as possible, with both series' going to five games, because we don't want to leave each other," Smith laughs.
"We've all had so much fun playing together, it's been an absolute joy to be around this team, the coaches and staff. It's really rare to be a part of something like this and it's really rare to experience that and also win as well."[9]
Seimone Augustus commented on the 2024 team chemistry and culture: "Every player kind of resembles one of the players from the original dynasty team, as far as their game and how they approach the game. Even their character, their personalities, I’m like, ‘We’re back, we’re back in the mix‘."[10]