The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, 97-80.
Chicago used a 14-0 run to pull ahead of the Lynx by three during the third quarter, only to squander the lead and fall behind by as many as 20 points in the fourth. The Lynx made six of their first seven shots to open the final frame (h/t John Focke).
So far this season the Lynx have scored at the rate of 115 points per 100 possessions, a mark that represents the league’s highest offensive rating among the four teams that have played at least two games. This level of offensive efficiency will be tough to sustain over an entire season, although it is worth noting — and certainly impressive — that the Lynx have done this while going against two of the WNBA’s most-elite teams.
Sylvia Fowles was basically unstoppable, scoring 24 points (10-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 FT) to go with 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals. She becomes just the 19th player in WNBA history to record 2,000 career rebounds.
https://twitter.com/ZacharyBD/status/732975129769074688
Maya Moore connected on each of her first three shot attempts, all of which can be seen in this video over at the Cold Omaha Youtube channel. She finished the game having logged 22 points (7-of-12 FG, 1-of-2 3PT, 7-of-8 FT), six assists and two rebounds, while her shooting ability had caught the attention of Chicago Sky color analyst Stephen Bardo. “Maya Moore has got the quickest release on her jumpshot in the W[NBA],” Bardo proclaimed. “I mean, you have to be on her at the parking lot. ‘Cause if she has any space, she can let it fly from anywhere in halfcourt situations.”
Seimone Augustus descended back to Earth just a few days after shooting 10-of-15 from the field en route to 21 points in last Saturday’s win over Phoenix. She finished Wednesday’s game with 10 points (3-of-9 FG, 0-of-3 3PT, 4-of-4 FT), six assists (2 TO) and three rebounds.
Lindsay Whalen tallied five points (1-of-4 FG, 0-of-1 3PT, 3-of-3 FT), four assists and two rebounds — while not committing a turnover — in just under 20 minutes of playing time.
Renee Montgomery has done what the Lynx have asked her to do throughout the season; come off-the-bench and provide a stabilizing presence at both ends of the floor. Montgomery over a span of 20:22 minutes tallied 15 points (6-of-13 FG, 3-of-6 3PT) and three assists (1 TO), while recording five steals for the second time in as many games. She, along with Fowles, recorded a plus-minus ratio of positive-19 — the second highest mark of any player not named Maya Moore (who finished positive-20).
Janel McCarville offered some solid minutes off-the-bench, too. She knocked down at least two 15-foot jumpers — shots that Chicago, aware of McCarville’s ability to create scoring chances for her teammates, seemed willing to concede. If she is able to continue making these shots with regularity, the Lynx will become that much harder to defend.
Also: This happened, which was neat.
https://twitter.com/ZacharyBD/status/732993767364403200
The Lynx take on the Seattle Storm (a road game) on Sunday, May 22.
[Photo Credit: NBA Photos/Getty Images via Sam Tager]
