It’s time for the Lynx to measure up.

At 21-4, the Minnesota Lynx are first in the WNBA. After stealing the show at All-Star weekend, it’s time for them to lock back in and show the league that they’re ready to make up for last year’s Finals.

Yes, I’m going to talk about the StudBudz

Three Lynx players were under the spotlight at All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis. The usual suspect, Napheesa Collier, set the WNBA record for points in an All-Star game, taking home an All-Star MVP alongside her 36 points. However, her headlines paled in comparison to those of her teammates Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman. Williams and Hiedeman have quickly become the new faces of the league (sorry, Sydney Colson) through their Twitch channel “StudBudz.” The StudBudz streamed for 72-hours straight during All-Star weekend, documenting everything from the Skills Challenge and All-Star Game to hotel room IVs, frustratingly slow scooter rides and Hiedeman’s now (in)famous Friday morning quote: “Did I do anything embarrassing [last night]?”

Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve had some inspiring words about her backcourt duo’s off-court passion:

I just couldn’t keep up with them, every time I turned around someone was saying something about StudBudz or being on StudBudz. What an incredible experience for them, and the league.

She referenced some of the league’s earliest media babies, and how they were forced to distort their own image and identity in order to fit acceptable narratives. The StudBudz, in Reeve’s eyes, are indicative of the league’s progress towards acceptance. She also claimed that a well-circulated video of her dancing with the duo was “AI,” and joked that if the Lynx don’t win on Tuesday, “this sh**’s done.”

As Minnesota shifts gears back into championship mode, the StudBudz’s personalities will take a backseat to their on-court production. However, the motion that they carried throughout All-Star weekend is real. Players finding external avenues of expression, and business, is vital for the expansion of the league. Williams and Hiedeman may not be the safest poster-children for the WNBA, but safety doesn’t make headlines. StudBudz do.

Back where they left off

Post-All Star, the Lynx picked up on their season-long momentum with a ruthless beatdown on the Chicago Sky. Minnesota still leads the league in field goals per game, field goal percentage, assists and blocks. They’re second in points per game to the Liberty, only held back by the 3-point gap between the two teams. They make up for that differential on defense. They are the league’s best scoring defense, best 3-point defense and best free-throw defense (least shooting fouls per game).

If there’s any statistical category that they’re lacking dominance in, it’s free throws attempted. They attempt the second-fewest free throws per game of any team. They don’t struggle to score, but free throws can decide games in playoff environments when field goals are at a premium. No Lynx player besides Collier shoots more than three free throws per game—changing that would be a step in the right direction. However, that’s where all their steps are going regardless. The Lynx are a tough, tough team to beat.

Complacency and exhaustion will be the biggest mountains for Minnesota to climb in the season’s waning period. They’re playing for the postseason, and they’ve got to find ways to be prepared—mentally and physically. If the team feels like it’s in their best interest to rest some of their key players, especially Collier, then they should do it. Point blank period. If the Lynx were to rest their starters for the entire latter half of the season, they would still very likely make the playoffs. Health is a buzzword in playoff basketball, deservedly so.

Finals rematch, finally

After an all-time classic WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and Minnesota Lynx last season, fans across the league have been itching for a rematch. And what did the league do? Schedule absolutely zero matchups between the two powerhouses until the end of July. The Liberty and Lynx have failed to cross paths all year, so the matchup on July 30 will be the season’s most anticipated game to date… but it doesn’t end there.

Starting on August 10, the Lynx face the Liberty three-straight times. (New York will play a back-to-back in LA and Las Vegas between the first and second matchup against Minnesota.) Neither team will be desperate for wins, but will do anything to make a statement. They’ll get to try out new matchups, new strategies, new lineups: it’s basketball sparring. If you want playoff basketball in August, you know where to look.