The Minnesota Lynx have opened the 2024 WNBA season on a high note, winning their first two games and sitting in fourth place in the league’s standings. Both wins came against the Seattle Storm, with the Lynx using the early scheduling quirk to get an early lead in the standings against an opponent they may be battling for playoff seeding later in the season.
According to Swish Appeal’s preseason power rankings (as voted on by the site’s staff members), expectations will be high for both the Storm (No. 3) and Lynx (No. 5) in 2024. Minnesota’s pair of opening-week victories over Seattle not only gave the Lynx an early-season cushion in the standings, but also demonstrated just how far along they are in terms of team chemistry—at least in comparison to their opponents. In both games, the Storm recorded more turnovers than assists, and while Minnesota’s cumulative assist/turnover ratio wasn’t spectacular either, the Lynx’s performances as a team were notably more cohesive than that of the Storm’s, despite both rosters adding significant pieces in free agency this past offseason.
It certainly helps that the Lynx have Napheesa Collier. The 2023 All-WNBA First-Teamer has been extremely productive, totaling 49 points, 21 rebounds and seven steals in the two Minnesota victories. Collier was named the WNBA’s Player of the Week for the Western Conference, which is the fifth time in her career she’s received the honor, according to Across the Timeline.
What a week for Phee
Napheesa Collier went off for 24.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, and 3.5 SPG to lead the Minnesota Lynx to a 2-0 start to the season, earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors.#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/6IGvBPI6gT
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 21, 2024
The Lynx also got big contributions from forward Alanna Smith, who recently signed a two-year protected contract with Minnesota. Smith performed well against an athletic frontcourt of Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor, totaling 38 points (14-for-25 shooting) and 10 blocked shots in the two wins.
This is especially encouraging considering that Dorka Juhász has yet to suit up. The 2023 All-Rookie center is still fulfilling overseas obligations with Italian club Beretta Famila Schio; she’ll play a big role for the Lynx when she returns from Italy, but with the way Smith has been playing so far, Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve may opt to bring Juhász off the bench.
Regardless, the Lynx’s play to begin the season has to be…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Swish Appeal – All Posts…