The Target Center was at full capacity on Sunday, but the Lynx offense seemed to run out of steam after the first 30 minutes.
This is starting to become a concern.
A record-breaking crowd of 18,978 spectators showed up to watch the Lynx face off against Indiana, marking Caitlin Clark’s debut in the WNBA at Target Center. However, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve emphasized that her focus was more on securing a win rather than the pre-game hype.
Unfortunately, the Lynx couldn’t deliver. Despite holding a seven-point lead going into the final quarter, they were outscored 28-14 in the last 10 minutes, resulting in an 84-71 defeat.
With star forward Napheesa Collier sidelined for the fourth consecutive game due to a left foot injury, the Lynx suffered their second straight loss and their fifth in eight games, sliding into a tie for fourth place with Seattle before the Olympic break.
Reeve commented, “I felt that defensively, we did enough to win. However, our offense added immense pressure on our defense.”
BOXSCORE: Indiana 81, Lynx 74
WNBA standings
Clark contributed 10 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter, but she wasn’t the sole player who helped the Fever (11-14) shift the momentum.
Despite finishing the third quarter with a 12-3 run to establish a seven-point lead, the Lynx faltered in the final quarter. They remained up by seven early in the fourth, but a series of plays by the Fever, including key three-pointers and offensive plays, propelled them to victory.
Reeve remarked, “We seemed to struggle when the shot clock was winding down.”
Carleton also noted, “We lacked ball movement and failed to utilize our shooters effectively.”
Simply put, the Lynx had trouble scoring efficiently, a recurring issue since their Commissioner’s Cup championship victory.
Lately, the Lynx have struggled to maintain their shooting percentage, especially in the fourth quarter, resulting in significant point differentials.
Reeve highlighted, “Indiana isn’t known for their defensive prowess, but our inability to convert high-percentage shots hurt us.”
While Collier’s return would provide a boost, it might not happen until after the Olympic break. Reeve also emphasized the team’s need to penetrate the paint and apply more pressure under the basket, an area where they were outscored by Indiana.
The small lineup implemented by Reeve, featuring Carleton as power forward, contributed to the Lynx struggling to maintain their offensive flow.
Ultimately, the Lynx’s offensive woes became apparent in the crucial moments of the game.
Center Alanna Smith expressed, “When we make mistakes and the opposition scores, we need to respond effectively to stay competitive. We need to focus on consistency throughout the entire game.”
