Minnesota Sports Teams Dominate the Preseason and Playoff Spotlight
In a surprising twist for sports fans in Minnesota, the Minnesota Timberwolves have shuffled their preseason schedule. Their game against the Denver Nuggets has been moved up to October 17th, avoiding a potential clash with a WNBA Finals game hosted by the Minnesota Lynx the following day. The Timberwolves' game will start at 8 p.m. ET, though it will not be broadcast nationally, leaving local fans to support them without the nationwide fanfare.
Last season, the Timberwolves made it to the Western Conference finals, demonstrating significant promise. However, their preseason adjustment is overshadowed by the remarkable achievement of their cross-town counterparts, the Minnesota Lynx.
The Lynx's Quest for a Fifth Championship
The Minnesota Lynx are poised on the brink of WNBA greatness, aiming to secure their fifth league championship. For the first time since 2017, the Lynx have clawed their way back to the WNBA Finals. Their journey was clinched in thrilling fashion with a Game 5 semifinal victory against the Connecticut Sun. This pivotal win not only marked their passage to the finals but also capped off a sterling season featuring a franchise-best 30 wins.
Throughout the regular season, the Lynx demonstrated their prowess on both ends of the court. Offensively, they secured a fourth-place finish with an impressive rating of 102.8, while their defensive acumen saw them ranked second at 94.8. Their sharp shooting led the league in 3-point percentage at 38.0%, coupled with an outstanding 76.4% assist percentage, underscoring their teamwork and precision.
Napheesa Collier: Key to Success
Central to the Lynx’s success has been Napheesa Collier, who delivered one of the standout performances of the season. Collier narrowly missed out on the MVP title but secured the Defensive Player of the Year award, a testament to her multifaceted game. Her postseason exploits are nothing short of remarkable, averaging 27.1 points per game as the Lynx entered the finals. This includes a historic postseason game where she scored 42 points, and a streak of three consecutive playoff games with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Her defensive mastery and scoring ability have not gone unnoticed, earning her a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. Collier's contributions have been crucial as the Lynx aim to add another championship banner to their collection.
Leadership on and off the Court
The Lynx's success this season is not only down to the players on the court but also a reflection of the leadership from head coach Cheryl Reeve. Reeve, a familiar figure in the Lynx's previous championship runs, was named Coach of the Year—an accolade that speaks volumes about her ability to craft a winning team. Furthermore, Reeve was recognized for her strategic acumen and managerial skills off the court with the Executive of the Year award.
Her dual recognition is rare and highlights her integral role in shaping the team’s current form and guiding them back to the finals.
Anticipation for the Finals
As basketball enthusiasts eagerly await the matchup, Game 1 of the WNBA Finals is slated to tip off at 8 p.m. ET at the Barclays Center in New York. The presence of two Minnesota teams in such critical phases of their respective seasons brings a vivacious energy and excitement to local and national basketball circles alike.
The overlapping schedules of these two Minnesota teams underscore the state's prominence on the basketball stage this October. Whether it’s the Timberwolves preparing for another seismic season in the NBA or the Lynx, who are on the cusp of potentially historic victory, Minnesota basketball fans are certainly in for a unique and thrilling fall.