WNBA: Minnesota Lynx surviving with out Collier because of depth, passing

When Minnesota Lynx ahead Napheesa Collier got here up limping final week with an obvious non-contact leg harm, the group’s followers and coaches alike held their breath. The 2024 All-Star, Olympian and MVP candidate had at that time led Minnesota to a 14-5 document, and whereas the Lynx have appreciable depth and are constructed to face up to the grind of a 40-game common season, a long-term harm to Collier would severely hamper their championship aspirations, if not wreck them completely.

Happily, Collier’s harm was not as unhealthy as initially feared, and the Lynx have been capable of largely maintain their success with out her. Collier was recognized with plantar fasciitis—one thing she’s used to coping with, based on Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve—and although the Lynx didn’t give a selected timetable for her return, she’s been listed as “uncertain” on their pregame harm experiences earlier than ultimately being dominated out, which means that the group is taking issues on a day-to-day foundation.

Picture by David Sherman/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

In Collier’s absence, the Lynx have earned wins over the Washington Mystics (74-67) and the Los Angeles Sparks (82-67), persevering with to showcase the depth and selflessness that has made them one of many WNBA’s greatest groups. In these two video games, Minnesota totaled 43 assists on 59 made pictures (an help fee of 72.9 p.c) and knocked down 19 3-pointers.

“It bodes properly for us to proceed to have this mindset of not caring who will get the credit score. When your quantity’s known as, be prepared,” Reeve commented after her group’s win towards Los Angeles. “That’s what we’ve obtained to maintain hanging our hat on.”

In a method, Minnesota’s most up-to-date performances replicate that mindset even higher than any of its earlier video games did. Down their star participant, the Lynx didn’t get away from their identification, leaning into group basketball on each ends of the court docket to compensate for Collier’s absence. Their margin for error could have been slimmer, however everybody in Reeve’s rotation stayed of their respective roles, and that was greater than sufficient to get again within the win column.

No Lynx exemplified starring of their position greater than Bridget Carleton. Historically a lower-usage participant, Carleton has shot the ball extra continuously this season with fellow wing Diamond Miller recovering from a knee process, and she or he confirmed simply how lethal of a shooter she could be in Minnesota’s latest wins. Carleton hit three 3-pointers en path to 13 factors towards Washington and adopted that up with a near-flawless effort towards Los Angeles, when she scored 16 factors whereas taking pictures 6-for-7 from the sphere (4-for-4 from distance).

Reeve was additionally fast to reward the play of second-year heart Dorka Juhász, who has proven the a number of methods she will be able to have an effect on a sport. Juhász shot the ball simply thrice towards Washington however led the Lynx in rebounding with 11 boards in 23 minutes; towards Los Angeles, she took on extra of a scoring position, netting 15 factors on 7-of-11 taking pictures whereas defending each on the inside and on the perimeter.

It’s performances like these that spotlight the Lynx’ true strengths: depth and flexibility at a number of positions. With luck, Collier can be wholesome once more quickly; Minnesota has three video games remaining earlier than the Olympic break, and Reeve—who additionally coaches the US Nationwide Staff—could elect to relaxation Collier till WNBA play resumes in August. Till then, the Lynx should proceed to remain afloat, and it could find yourself making them a extra cohesive group in the long term.