Lynx Stumble but Don’t Fall
August 21, 2014
With nine minutes left to play in the Minnesota Lynx’ first playoff game, point guard Lindsay Whalen scored off a driving layup to give her team a 70-55 lead over the upstart San Antonio Stars.
What happened next was to send shudders throughout the crowd of 8,523 spectators. Like some undying monster, the Stars picked themselves up and rampaged through the startled group of Minnesota ladies. As coach Cheryl Reeve said after the game, “Something bad happened.”
The Lynx defense shut down. San Antonio’s veteran guard Becky Hammon and substitute forward Sophia Young-Malcom breezed past for easy baskets. Soon it was 70-60, then 70-65. Meanwhile the Lynx offense was guilty of standing around, refusing to share the basketball, and settling for jump shots. Rebekkah Brunson scored on a layup for the Lynx to make it 72-65 with six minutes remaining. Then, more uninspired play.
“We had things where we wanted,” Reeve recalled, “and the bottom dropped out defensively.”
Baskets by Hammon, playing her last games prior to becoming an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, and Kayla McBride (a three-pointer) pulled the Stars even, and a free throw by Hammon gave San Antonio a 73-72 lead. Visions of recent past fourth-quarter collapses danced though the heads of members of the home team as Whalen, Brunson, and Janel McCarville looked old and tired out on the floor.
Fortunately, two members of the Lynx’ Fab Five were still functioning. Prior to the start of the game, Maya Moore was presented the league’s MVP award. In each game in which she participates, Moore reinforces the notion that she is indeed the most valuable player in the WNBA. She is the LeBron James of women’s basketball.
At halftime, the league unveiled a contortion act known as the “Human Slinky.” The real human Slinky was wearing number 23 for the Minnesota Lynx. Moore contorted her body with a number of athletic moves in, under, and around the basket to will Minnesota to an 88-84 win. She combined with a rejuvenated Seimone Augustus for a dozen points in the final four minutes of play. A pair of Moore free throws sealed the deal.
Moore finished with 26 points and Augustus had 16. For San Antonio, McBride had 20 points, Hammon 17, and Young-Malcolm 16.
Worries persist, however, that the Lynx dynasty, such as it is, may be breaking down. San Antonio is a sub-.500 team (16-19) and yet now seems evenly matched with the 26-9 Minnesota team, who if it advances most likely will face Phoenix, holders of an amazing 29-5 record. Phoenix is taller, faster, and more youthful in the pivot. Add to this the embarrassing fact that Minnesota has zero bench strength.