Alexander Shun

Web Editor Associate | @alexpshun 

On Friday night, the Minnesota Lynx will host the Los Angeles Sparks at Target Center for game one of the Western Conference Semifinals; what is expected to be a tightly contested series between two very good teams.

Well both teams are, as would be expected, quite excited and eager for the series to begin, it seems that those even more excited about playoff basketball returning to Minnesota is the Lynx fans throughout the state.

“It’s the playoffs, of course it’s a huge deal,” said Apple Valley native and longtime Lynx fan Kelsey Bell. “I think that other fans think we get used to it because we have experienced so much playoff basketball over the years but we don’t. Every year is more exciting than the last and this year is going to be the most exciting year I’ve ever experienced.”

With guard Renee Montgomery returning to the Lynx via a trade with the Seattle Storm and center Sylvia Fowles joining Minnesota after a blockbuster trade with the Chicago Sky and Atlanta Dream, the Lynx roster looks dramatically different than in previous championship years.

With the core of captains, guards Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus and forwards Maya Moore and Rebekkah Brunson, remaining the same, the immense playoff experience is still there and that is what many Lynx fans are excited to see once again.

“I love Lindsay and I’ve watched her since she was a Golden Gopher and I love watching  her play, I’m just not sure how many years she’s going to have left to play for the Lynx so I’m going to really soak up every game of hers that I can,” said 66-year old Lynx fan Anne Hurley. “Rebekkah is my favorite paint player as well and we’ve had so many great playoff runs with her and hopefully this year is another great run like in the past.”

“We have gotten a ton of wins with this heart of our roster like Maya and Lindsay and Seimone and I can’t wait to get even more,” said Bell.

After talking to what seemed like hundreds of Minnesota Lynx fans, the general feeling amongst all of them is just that: Excitement.

A majority of fans have already attained their ticket for Friday night’s opening game and many are eagerly awaiting tip-off.

“Nothing competes with playoff basketball here in Minnesota,” said Hurley, who will be in attendance supporting the Lynx on Friday night. “I have only been to one other Lynx playoff game but have been to quite a few regular season games; the playoff energy is just so much better and so much more fun.”

“I went to a playoff game last year against the [San Antonio] Stars and it was incredible,” said Bell. “It’s going to be great to get the team back home after being in Seattle to end the year and have a loud and crazy home crowd to fuel them, hopefully to a huge win over the Sparks.

Lynx fans, aside from being the most passionate fans in the league, are also among the league’s smartest fans and know that the Los Angeles Sparks are a very good team and will be extremely difficult to beat.

“Getting [forward Candace] Parker back made [the Sparks] a million times better,” said Lynx fan Ben Formaze. “[Lynx head coach] Cheryl Reeve said it herself in that the Sparks are a lot like us. They went through struggles and went through injuries and they made the playoffs, just like us.”

“It’s not going to be easy. I don’t know all that much about the Sparks but I know Candace Parker and I know how good she can be and that is scary enough,” said Hurley.

Regardless of a win or a loss, one thing is certain, playoff basketball is back in Minnesota and the Minnesota Lynx fans are certainly pumped up and ready to make any playoff game at Target Center a difficult one for opponents.