Minnesota Lynx set franchise record; clinch top spot throughout postseason originally appeared on The Sporting News
The Minnesota Lynx didn’t just win another game Saturday night, they made history.
Minnesota hits 31 wins, sets franchise record
With a 94-70 blowout over the Connecticut Sun, the Lynx clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs while setting a new franchise record with their 31st win of the season.
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Lynx crush Sun to lock up home court for WNBA playoffs
Five players scored in double figures, led by Alanna Smith and DiJonai Carrington with 18 apiece. Napheesa Collier, who remains in the thick of the MVP race, added 17 points and nine boards.
“The games are tough no matter where you play,” Smith said. “So having that edge at home, feeling that energy from our fans, it means everything.”
Why it matters
Minnesota lost last year’s Finals to New York, a series decided in a Game 5 on the Liberty’s home floor. Now, with the Finals expanding to a best-of-seven format, the Lynx know every decisive matchup will run through their building.
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Cheryl Reeve, who has guided Minnesota since 2010 and already owns four WNBA titles, didn’t hide what this milestone means. “If we win our home games, we win a championship,” she said. “That was a goal, and this group went out and got it done.”
Historic pace
This year’s expanded 44-game schedule didn’t slow Minnesota down. The Lynx reached 31 wins in 39 games, surpassing last year’s 30-win mark. Their current 79.5% winning percentage is tracking with the best seasons in franchise history, right up there with their 2016 powerhouse team.
And they’re not done yet. Four of the five games left come against playoff-caliber opponents, including a showdown in Las Vegas against an Aces team riding a 12-game win streak. That game also doubles as the latest MVP showcase between Collier and A’ja Wilson.
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MORE: Coming up Aces: Las Vegas wins 12th straight game, down Atlanta
No letting up
Even with home-court advantage secured, Reeve doesn’t plan to coast into the postseason. “It always means something,” she said. “We’ll keep working, keep building. This group doesn’t go into games thinking they don’t matter. That’s when it gets dangerous.”
For now, Minnesota sits at the top of the league, holding the playoff advantage everyone else wanted. The Lynx just have to protect it.
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