In her first six seasons, Damiris Dantas averaged 1.17 3-point shots per game.
Through the first three games in 2019, Dantas has already shot eight from deep and has connected on five (62.5 percent).
Yes, that’s an incredibly small sample size. But the fact that Dantas can hit from the 3-point line opens up so many things for the Lynx.
For starters, it keeps Minnesota’s offense from stalling. Passing on open shots is how a good offense set can turn into a forced shot at the end of the shot clock.
It also prevents defenders from sinking into the paint, which is big for drivers like Danielle Robinson and Odyssey Sims, along with Sylvia Fowles, who does most of her damage in the paint.
Heading into the season, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve stressed being able to shoot from the 3-point line. It was a main focus throughout training camp.
This was a team that finished second-to-last from the 3-point line last season, in both makes (173) and attempts (505).
It’s early, but it’d be a surprise if the Lynx ranked that low again. Through three games, the Lynx rank third in makes (17) and fourth in attempts (56).
The Lynx are the only remaining undefeated team in the league after Saturday’s 70-67 win over the Wings, which is a surprise to many throughout the league considering the changes this team went through this offseason. So far, the Lynx have adapted well to each other, and a new style of play.