The Minnesota Lynx currently hold the No. 1 position in the latest WNBA Power Rankings, even as MVP candidate Napheesa Collier remains sidelined due to an ankle injury. The team, boasting a strong 24-5 record, faces at least a two-week stretch without Collier, which could influence their performance moving forward.
Demanding Schedule Tests Lynx’s Depth
This week presents a challenging series of games for Minnesota. The Lynx will face the Seattle Storm on Tuesday, August 5, followed by matches against the Washington Mystics and New York Liberty. These contests will test the team’s ability to compete without one of their top players.
Previous Battles Highlight Team’s Resilience and Challenges
Last week, Minnesota edged out the New York Liberty 100-93, securing one of four planned encounters between the teams over a three-week period. ESPN reporter Kendra Andrews noted the game’s dynamics:
Minnesota beat New York 100-93 in the first of four matchups between the teams over a three-week stretch, but the final score doesn’t reflect how big of a lead the Lynx had built heading into the final minutes, leading 92-77 before allowing the Liberty to score 11 straight points to bring it back within single digits,
Andrews wrote.
Shortly after, the Lynx delivered a historic performance by winning on the road by 53 points against the Las Vegas Aces, marking the largest margin of victory in WNBA road history:
The Lynx followed that up with the largest road win in WNBA history, beating the Aces by 53 points on Saturday,
Andrews wrote.
Unfortunately, it was during this dominant game that Collier sustained her ankle injury:
Napheesa Collier suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of that game, so now the Lynx must navigate at least the next two weeks without the MVP frontrunner.
Implications of Napheesa Collier Injury on Team Performance
Collier is crucial to both offense and defense for Minnesota, averaging 23.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, according to StatMuse. She is a four-time WNBA All-Star and a former Defensive Player of the Year, and her absence shifts significant responsibility to teammates.
Courtney Williams, currently leading the team with 6.4 assists per game, will be instrumental in filling the void left by Collier. The Lynx’s ability to adapt and maintain cohesion will be pivotal as they aim to stay on course for a WNBA Finals appearance despite this setback.
Outlook as the Lynx Face Crucial Matchups
With several tough games on the horizon, including another matchup at the Barclays Center against the defending champions New York Liberty, Minnesota must rely on team depth and strategy to maintain their dominance. Head coach Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx will need to find ways to compensate for Collier’s absence while preparing for a difficult schedule ahead.