At 16-2, the Minnesota Lynx are enjoying with calmness and confidence — and never a touch of controversy.
Effectively, aside from one factor.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve smiled when she was requested about her prime two gamers mock-debating about which one would shoot technical free throws.
Napheesa Collier desires to shoot them, and so does Kayla McBride.
“I am not in it,” Reeve stated with a smile. “I perceive it. (McBride) walks away quite a bit, saying, ‘If she misses it, it is my flip.’ I like that we have now two nice free-throw shooters.”
Each gamers will get an opportunity to make extra photographs when the Lynx tip off towards the Chicago Sky (5-11) on Sunday night in Minneapolis. The Lynx will play on brief relaxation after holding on for an 82-71 win over the Golden State Valkyries on Saturday, and the Sky will play for the primary time in per week.
Ariel Atkins leads the Sky with 14.6 factors per recreation. Kamilla Cardoso is subsequent with 12.7 factors per recreation, and Angel Reese is third with 12.4 factors to associate with a team-high 12.6 rebounds per contest.
Atkins stated she wished to proceed to be aggressive on offense. She has carried out simply that of late, and he or she is averaging greater than 20 factors over her previous 4 video games.
“I feel it simply offers us a greater alternative to open up the offense for everyone else,” Atkins stated. “If I am being passive, it permits folks to protect us all one on one versus creating benefits.”
Collier, who’s the Lynx’s prime scorer, is coming off a 22-point efficiency within the win over Golden State. She made eight of 11 photographs from the sphere, together with her lone 3-point try, and he or she made all 5 of her free-throw makes an attempt.
Jessica Shepard additionally will look to remain sizzling for the Lynx. She got here off the bench Saturday to complete with eight factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a pair of steals.
Reeve stated Shepard made an enormous distinction on the court docket.
“One in every of our coaches stated her effort was otherworldly,” Reeve stated. “She simply willed us, flew round, (gave us) additional possessions, put her physique on the road and was contagious in one of the best of how.”
The Lynx may must play with out ahead Alanna Smith on brief relaxation. Smith left Saturday’s recreation due to a knee harm, and her standing is unsure for Sunday.
–Area Degree Media
