Clarendon Provides Much Needed Energy To Lynx Rotation
Cody Sharrett
May 31, 2021
The Minnesota Lynx needed a shot in the arm.
Winless after the first four games of the season and down double digits early in Sunday’s matchup versus the first-place Connecticut Sun, the Lynx found themselves in dire straits.
Enter Layshia Clarendon. Just hours after signing with Minnesota, the veteran guard provided the perfect combination of both poise and energy off the Lynx bench. Motivated by their departure from the New York Liberty earlier in the week, Clarendon contributed a needed spark off the bench in the first half, highlighted by a coast-to-coast and-1 in transition to ignite a run to bring the Lynx back into the game.
“Layshia came in at a tough time,” Lynx Head Coach and General Manage Cheryl Reeve said after the game. “We didn’t have an easy couple of days [following Friday’s loss at Seattle]. I think they probably walked in and ‘What the hell did I get myself into?’ but that’s the group needed… That leadership, anyone that’s been around Layshia, you know that’s own of their fortes. That’s what they do. I think for Layshia to command the presence right now at a very difficult time in our season — this team did not want to drop another home game — we needed a win.
“Layshia was, no question about it, a big reason why.”
Clarendon was just a crucial down the stretch, pulling the strings in an offense that they were learning on the fly. Though their three-point attempt at the buzzer was waved off, Clarendon stepped up to hit a clutch three in overtime to give the Lynx a lead they wouldn’t relinquish on the way to a 79-74 victory.
“That’s how I play, with energy, especially when you get to come off the bench,” Clarendon said. “I was really focused on being that version of myself again.”
They continued: “I knew this did not look like the Minnesota Lynx. They’re gonna get there, Cheryl is a phenomenal coach, it’s a great organization. It’s gonna take a little bit of time, so I was just focused on the little things.”
Clarendon is currently on a replacement player contract as Minnesota deals with injuries to Aerial Powers and Rennia Davis, but the Lynx are happy to have them around, however long that may be.
“The personality and essence they brings on the court really helped us, just making sure we were in and what we needed to do and making smart plays,” Napheesa Collier said of her new teammate.
“They brought so much to the team tonight.”