The Minnesota Lynx headed into the All-Star break atop the WNBA standings. Now that the second half has arrived, the Lynx would like to keep it that way.
Minnesota (20-4) returns to the court to host the Chicago Sky (7-15) on Tuesday night in Minneapolis. It will be the first game in seven days for both teams.
The Lynx closed the first half with back-to-back wins over the Sky and the Phoenix Mercury. They’ve won three of their past four games and eight of their last 10.
Napheesa Collier, who set an All-Star Game record with her 36-point outburst Saturday night on behalf of victorious Team Collier, hopes to build on a terrific first half that has elevated her into contention for the league’s MVP award. She’s averaging 23.2 points and 7.6 rebounds this season and also leads the Lynx with 1.8 steals per contest.
Kayla McBride ranks second with 14.3 points per game. She scored a team-high 18 points in Minnesota’s 79-66 win over the Mercury last Wednesday.
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve says McBride had value above and beyond her sharpshooting.
“Obviously, the leadership,” Reeve said. “What she’s been through in her career, so many situations. We count on her heavily in moments in the game when it gets tough or when we start moving players around.
“She’s the one who helps us get people organized.”
Meanwhile, Chicago intends to start fresh after closing the first half with back-to-back losses against Minnesota and the Atlanta Dream. They’ve lost eight of their last 12.
Chicago is led by All-Star forward Angel Reese, who averages 14 points and 12.6 rebounds. Ariel Atkins is next with 13.9 points per game and Kamilla Cardoso rounds out the top three scorers with 12.1 points to go along with 7.2 rebounds.
Sky rookie Hailey Van Lith said Reese challenges defenses in a variety of ways.
“She’s very deceptive with her eyes,” Van Lith said. “She makes it look like she’s about to swing it or reverse — then she attacks.”
This will be the fourth game of the season between the Lynx and Sky.
Minnesota won the first matchup 80-75 on its home court July 6. The teams next met for consecutive games in Chicago on July 12 and July 14, with the Sky winning 87-81 in the first contest and the Lynx winning 91-78 in the rematch.
The Lynx are 12-0 at home this season. The Sky are 3-9 on the road.
–Field Level Media
