Practice Report | Lynx Hope To Boost Second Unit

Mitchell Hansen
Web Editorial Associate
Twitter

The Minnesota Lynx have kicked off the 2017 season just about as well as they could have hoped.

The team is a perfect 9-0 for the second straight season and are the only remaining undefeated team in the WNBA.

But the Lynx still think there is room for improvement, and some of that improvement they think could come on the second unit.

“I think like any coach, you’re looking for more consistency out of your second team. It’s hard to achieve, because the second team’s minutes are shorter,” Cheryl Reeve said after practice Thursday. “There’s that challenge of trying to figure out how to get them going so they can help you, but they still have to earn that.”

The Lynx second unit is averaging 20.7 points per game through nine games this season, led by Renee Montgomery with 6.4 points per game.

In 2016, the Lynx second unit averaged 29.3 points per game, led by Montgomery once again with 7.5 points per game.

“Plenette (Pierson) has had moments, Renee has had moments, Natasha (Howard) has had moments,” Reeve said. “It’s a veteran second group, with the exception of (Alexis Jones) and Temi (Fagbenle).”

Even though the second unit has had a lower point total to start the season, the play overall from the team continues to be stellar. At the end of the day for the Lynx, if they are winning, that’s the most important thing.

“We always tell our second group, what keeps you on the floor longer is defending, rebounding and not turning it over,” Reeve said. “If you can increase the amount of minutes that you’re out there, that decreases the minutes of the starters. That’s what we’re after. Overall, I think we have a pretty good understanding of our schemes and we’re doing pretty well.”

Lynx Host Pride Night On Saturday

On Saturday, the Lynx are hosting the Connecticut Sun at 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center in the first game of a three-game homestand.

The game Saturday night will be Pride Night and the first 2,500 fans will receive a pair of thunder sticks.

The Lynx and Sun will square off at 7 p.m. in the third and final matchup this season in St. Paul. The game will be aired on Fox Sports North Plus and 106.1 BOB FM.