Minnesota Lynx eliminated from WNBA playoffs

“The way we came out to start the game and, you know, everything’s going on the last couple days, the way these guys came out and played, and took [Phoenix’s] run in the second quarter and came out doing the same thing again in the second half,” Thibault said, “at a certain point, that’s who you are. That’s who these guys have been now for a long time.”

When the Lynx lost to the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals last season — a late foul call and lopsided overtime away from a league-record fifth title — the Lynx decided to run it back, rather than retool a roster that had been largely underestimated heading into the 2024 season.

They returned all five starters, all searching for a first championship. They traded for guard DiJonai Carrington, who missed the playoffs with a left foot injury, to strengthen the bench. They earned the target on their back, finishing 34-10 with league-high offensive and defensive ratings, even despite a 6-5 dip to finish the regular season.

And then Phoenix, peaking at the right time with a healthy “big three” of Satou Sabally, Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, hit that target.

“I mean, honestly, it was a joy, right?” Lynx guard Courtney Williams said postgame, subdued. “I don’t look at this season and think, ‘Oh, this is hard because we got a target on our back.’ That’s what we wanted, right? Like, we got in the gym and we stacked our days, and I mean, got hit with that injury bug.