The Minnesota Lynx just missed out on clinching the No. 1 seed before the FIBA World Cup break, losing a tough 89-81 battle to the Atlanta Dream on Sunday. This wasn’t just any loss though. The Dream were up by as many as 20 points, completely throwing the Lynx off their game with a level of physicality that coach Cheryl Reeve did not enjoy watching. But she might just appreciate the lesson.
Atlanta Just Dropped a Playoff Blueprint
Atlanta didn’t beat the Lynx with one superstar; they did it with relentless depth and collective pressure. Angel Reese was an absolute force, putting up 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block. That’s her 29th double-double of the season, a new WNBA record, which is just insane! Allisha Gray drilled six 3-pointers on her way to 23 points and 11 rebounds. Jordin Canada added 16 points and 10 assists, and Rhyne Howard chipped in 16. The Dream were everywhere, and the Lynx, despite 21 points from rookie Olivia Miles and 17 each from Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride, never fully recovered from Atlanta’s early control. This was a statement win, period.
Reeve’s Warning Isn’t Just a Complaint, It’s a Scouting Report
After the game, Reeve was straight-up with Lynx reporter Andrew Dukowitz. She said this game was a “preview of what Minnesota should expect in the postseason,” noting that “physicality and reaching and grabbing” will become the norm. You might think she was complaining about the refs, but nah, she knows better. This was a scouting report for every team eyeing the Lynx. Reeve called it a “useful look at playoff basketball,” and she’s not wrong. Playoff games are never clean, never feature wide-open spaces, and the whistles get tucked away. Opponents are going to hold cutters, attack ballhandlers, and test every ounce of contact officials permit.
The Lynx are still one of the favorites for the championship, and one August loss doesn’t change that. They’ve got the talent, the experience, and the coaching to bounce back. But Atlanta just gave them a problem they absolutely have to solve: how do you keep your offense flowing when the other team is getting all up in your face? How do you control the glass when they’re swarming? Reeve has to figure this out, because whether the Lynx fix this issue could determine everything for their championship dreams.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply