The Lynx are still undefeated in 2019. Minnesota defeated the Seattle Storm 72-61 on Wednesday night behind an incredible defensive performance and a well-rounded scoring effort.

The Lynx put on an incredible defensive performance in the first half. Minnesota simply forced tough, contested looks on almost every possession. Seattle shot just 30.3 percent in the first half for 24 points. They didn’t hit a three until the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Storm finished the game shooting 36.4 percent from the field.

The Lynx also forced 10 turnovers in the first half. They kept active hands—a point of emphasis for head coach Cheryl Reeve—and did a great job preventing the Storm from getting into their sets. The Lynx understanding of the Storm playbook was excellent; they beat the Storm to their spots, drawing offensive fouls and interrupting passes. The Storm tightened up their ball control in the second half, but the high activity level from the Lynx was still there.

In what seems like it will become a trend, Minnesota was dominant on the boards again on Wednesday. They outrebounded the Storm 39-23. In addition to Sylvia Fowles’ game-high 13, the Lynx got more than three rebounds from five different players, including four from Odyssey Sims at the guard spot.

Minnesota’s offense wasn’t exactly pretty for a lot of the evening, but they found a way to get the ball in the hoop by fighting for everything and getting contributions from up and down the roster. Six players scored nine or more points and four (Jessica Shepard, Lexie Brown, Sims and Damiris Dantas) reached double figures. Sims led the way with 15.

Dig a little deeper into the Lynx’s offensive numbers and there are some extremely encouraging signs. They shot 35.3 percent from three-point range and five different players hit a three. Overall, Minnesota shot 44.3 percent from the field, though that number was 50 percent before the Storm held the Lynx to just 11 points in the fourth. The team also moved the ball extremely well, collecting 21 assists to Seattle’s 13. Though they turned the ball over 18 times (too many), they did a good job limiting the damage by playing good defense in transition.

The Lynx are at their best when they keep the ball moving. When they had the lead going into the fourth quarter it was clear they tried to slow things down and milk the clock—that didn’t work out. The Lynx love to play with speed. Even though it’s scary to play a fast-paced game with a lead, the Lynx are probably better served continuing to play their game, their way, from the beginning of the game to the end.

Follow-Up Act 

Many were wondering how Napheesa Collier would follow up her sensational debut performance. She answered tonight: with more of the same.

While Collier didn’t have the scoring output, she was extremely efficient and contributed to winning in other ways. She finished with nine points on 60-percent shooting, hit her only three and added four assists and four rebounds.

The Storm started to figure Collier out as the game went on. They started taking away passing lanes to her post-ups and cuts which made it difficult for Collier’s teammates to find her under the basket. She also struggled with fouls which limited her to just under 27 minutes (still a good showing).

All things considered, it’s been a great few games for the rookie. She clearly has a place in the WNBA and will play a valuable role on this team.

Quick Hits

• Oddly enough, Sims was involved in three jump balls. The Lynx got possession on two of those.
• Fowles did not have her strongest showing offensively (seven points) but was a monster on the boards.
• Brown is an underrated defender. While known for her shooting, she’s extremely quick and does a fantastic job drawing offensive fouls. She picks her spots well and she knows her strengths (her hands and vision) and her weaknesses (post defense) and plays accordingly. In Brown, Robinson and Sims, the Lynx have the fastest defensive backcourt they’ve had in a long time.
• The Lynx have now won two games where their offense was fairly weak at times, especially in terms of taking care of the ball. That’s a massive testament to their defense and dominance on the boards.
• Jess Shepard and Dantas were both fantastic tonight. We’ll have more coming on lynxbasetball.com.