2019 Minnesota Lynx season

Last updated

2019 Minnesota Lynx season
Coach Cheryl Reeve
Arena Target Center
Attendance9,069 per game
Results
Record1816 (.529)
Place4th (Western)
Playoff finish7th Seed; Lost in First Round to Seattle
Team Leaders
Points Odyssey Sims – 14.5 ppg
Rebounds Sylvia Fowles – 8.9 rpg
Assists Odyssey Sims – 5.4 apg
Media
Television Fox Sports North, ESPN, NBATV
The Lynx in action at Dallas Minnesota Lynx vs. Dallas Wings June 2019 27 (in-game action).jpg
The Lynx in action at Dallas

The 2019 Minnesota Lynx season was the 21st season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the 10th season under head coach Cheryl Reeve.

Contents

The Lynx finished last season with a record of 18–16, finishing fourth in the Western Conference and seventh overall in the league, while qualifying for the playoffs, before ultimately being beat by Los Angeles in the first Round of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs.

On February 5, 2019, Maya Moore announced that she would not be playing in the 2019 season citing a need to spend more time with family and to focus on her ministry dreams. [1] On March 14, the Lynx announced that they promoted Walt Hopkins to a full-time assistant coach, while also adding Plenette Pierson to an assistant coaching role. [2]

Despite Moore's retirement, the Lynx started off the season strong, going on a three-game winning streak. However, they could not keep the momentum going, winning only three of their next nine games, including a four-game losing streak, to finish June with a 6–6 record. July proved to be more of the same, with the team winning their first three games in the month, but losing their last three and finishing 4–4 for the month. August was another up-and-down month. The Lynx finished 6–5 on the month, which included losing three games and then winning three games to finish the month. The team did manage to extend their three-game winning streak into a five-game winning streak, but lost their season finale.

Their final record of 18–16 earned them the seventh seed in the playoffs. They faced off against the sixth-seeded Seattle Storm. The Storm earned the right to host the game by winning the regular season series 3–1. Napheesa Collier scored a double double in her playoff debut, but it was ultimately not enough as the Lynx lost by ten points.

Collier's solid postseason continued when she won Rookie of the Year. Collier is the fourth Lynx player to win the award, and the first since Maya Moore.

Transactions

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/team/country
16 Napheesa Collier Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Connecticut Huskies
216 Jessica Shepard Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Notre Dame
218 Natisha Hiedeman Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Marquette
220 Cierra Dillard Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Buffalo
330 Kenisha Bell Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Minnesota

Trades and roster changes

DateTrade
February 1, 2019Signed F Karima Christmas-Kelly [3]
February 2, 2019Re-Signed G Seimone Augustus [4]
February 8, 2019Signed F/C Damiris Dantas [5]
February 22, 2019Signed F Jillian Alleyne [6]
February 28, 2019Re-Signed F Erlana Larkins and Signed F Kelsey Griffin [7] [8]
April 10, 2019Traded G Natisha Hiedeman to Connecticut in exchange for G Lexie Brown. [9]
April 11, 2019Traded G Tanisha Wright to New York in exchange for a second round pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. [10]
April 17, 2019Signed F Shao Ting [11]
April 22, 2019Traded G Alexis Jones to Los Angeles in exchange for G Odyssey Sims. [12]
May 11, 2019Waived G Cierra Dillard [13]
May 16, 2019Waived G Taylor Emery [14]
May 21, 2019Traded their third round pick in the 2020 WNBA draft to Chicago in exchange for C Alaina Coates [15]
Traded their second round pick in the 2020 WNBA draft to Phoenix in exchange for G Stephanie Talbot [16]
May 22, 2019Waived F Erlana Larkins [17]
July 2, 2019Signed F Asia Taylor and G Kenisha Bell [18]
July 13, 2019Waived F Shao Ting and activated F Temi Fagbenle [19]
July 14, 2019Waived C Alaina Coates [20]
July 19, 2019Waived G Kenisha Bell [21]
July 25, 2019Waived F Asia Taylor
July 30, 2019Signed F Jillian Alleyne to a 7-Day Contract [22]
August 6, 2019Signed F Jillian Alleyne to a 2nd 7-Day Contract [23]
August 13, 2019Signed F Jillian Alleyne to a 3rd 7-Day Contract [24]
August 22, 2019Signed F Bridget Carleton to a 7-Day Contract [25]

Additions

PlayerDateFormer team
Karima Christmas-Kelly February 1, 2019 Dallas Wings
Damiris Dantas February 8, 2019 Atlanta Dream
Lexie Brown April 11, 2019 Connecticut Sun
Odyssey Sims April 22, 2019 Los Angeles Sparks

Subtractions

PlayerDateNew team/reason
Lindsay Whalen August 13, 2018Retirement
James Wade (assistant coach)November 18, 2018 Chicago Sky Head Coach
Maya Moore February 5, 2019Taking Year Off

Roster

2019 Minnesota Lynx roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G 33 Flag of the United States.svg Augustus, Seimone  (C)6' 0" (1.83m)172 lb (78kg)1984-04-30 LSU 13
G 4 Flag of the United States.svg Brown, Lexie 5' 9" (1.75m)158 lb (72kg)1994-10-27 Duke 1
G/F 21 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Carleton, Bridget 6' 1" (1.85m)195 lb (88kg)1997-05-22 Iowa State R
F 0 Flag of the United States.svg Christmas-Kelly, Karima  Cruz Roja.svg6' 0" (1.83m)209 lb (95kg)1989-09-11 Duke 8
G 24 Flag of the United States.svg Collier, Napheesa 6' 2" (1.88m)182 lb (83kg)1996-09-23 Connecticut R
F 92 Flag of Brazil.svg Dantas, Damiris 6' 3" (1.91m)206 lb (93kg)1992-11-17 Brazil 4
F 14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fagbenle, Temi 6' 4" (1.93m)179 lb (81kg)1992-09-08 USC 2
C 34 Flag of the United States.svg Fowles, Sylvia  (C)6' 6" (1.98m)227 lb (103kg)1985-10-06 LSU 11
F 23 Flag of the United States.svg Moore, Maya  (S)6' 0" (1.83m)175 lb (79kg)1989-06-11 Connecticut 8
G 3 Flag of the United States.svg Robinson, Danielle  (C)5' 9" (1.75m)136 lb (62kg)1989-05-10 Oklahoma 7
F 10 Flag of the United States.svg Shepard, Jessica  Cruz Roja.svg6' 3" (1.91m)199 lb (90kg)1996-09-11 Notre Dame R
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Sims, Odyssey 5' 8" (1.73m)163 lb (74kg)1992-07-13 Baylor 5
F 8 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Talbot, Stephanie 6' 2" (1.88m)175 lb (79kg)1994-06-15 Australia 2
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Shelley Patterson (Washington State)
Flag of the United States.svg Walt Hopkins (Nevada)
Flag of the United States.svg Plenette Pierson (Texas Tech)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Chuck Barta (UW–La Crosse)
Assistant trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Kate Taber (Iowa)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured

Schedule

Preseason

2019 pre-season game log
May: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 10 Washington W 86–79 Sims (20) Fowles (11) Sims (7) Target Center
3,201
1–0
2May 19@ Las Vegas W 79–75 Sims (25) Fowles (7) Brown (7) Cox Pavilion 1–1
2019 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2019 game log
Total: 18–16 (Home: 11–6; Road: 7–10)
May: 2–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 25 Chicago W 89–71 Collier (27) Shepard (13) Shepard (6) Target Center
8,524
1–0
2May 29 Seattle W 72–61 Sims (15) Fowles (13) Sims (5) Target Center
8,092
2–0
June : 4–6 (Home: 2–3; Road: 2–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
3June 1@ Dallas W 70–67 Dantas (20) Fowles (12) Sims (5) College Park Center
6,535
3–0
4June 4@ Seattle L 77–84 Collier (17) Fowles (5) Sims (6) Angel of the Winds Arena
5,711
3–1
5June 6 Phoenix W 58–56 Sims (15)3 tied (6)Tied (3) Target Center
8,001
4–1
6June 8 Los Angeles L 85–89 Brown (21) Fowles (13) Sims (7) Target Center
8,834
4–2
7June 12@ New York L 69–75 Fowles (16) Fowles (11) Robinson (7) Westchester County Center
1,181
4–3
8June 14 Connecticut L 81–85 Sims (25) Fowles (9) Dantas (5) Target Center
8,803
4–4
9June 16 Las Vegas L 75–80 Dantas (22) Fowles (9) Dantas (6) Target Center
8,392
4–5
10June 22 New York W 92–83 Sims (20) Fowles (10) Dantas (5) Target Center
8,600
5–5
11June 25@ Indiana W 78–74 Sims (25) Fowles (11) Sims (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
4,692
6–5
12June 30@ Dallas L 86–89 Sims (23) Fowles (9) Sims (8) College Park Center
4,521
6–6
July : 4–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 2–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
13July 2 Atlanta W 85–68 Talbot (24) Collier (11) Sims (8) Target Center
8,208
7–6
14July 6@ Connecticut W 74–71 Sims (21) Fowles (11) Sims (8) Mohegan Sun Arena
8,076
8–6
15July 10@ Chicago W 73–72 Sims (16) Fowles (12) Sims (4) Wintrust Arena
8,508
9–6
16July 12@ Atlanta L 53–60 Robinson (14) Fowles (12) Sims (7) State Farm Arena
4,001
9–7
17July 14 Phoenix W 75–62 Sims (15) Fowles (13) Robinson (5) Target Center
8,801
10–7
18July 17 Seattle L 79–90 Brown (20) Fowles (7) Robinson (10) Target Center
8,403
10–8
19July 21@ Las Vegas L 74–79 Sims (19) Collier (6)Tied (4) Mandalay Bay Events Center
4,352
10–9
20July 24 Washington L 71–79 Brown (19) Fowles (12) Sims (4) Target Center
17,934
10–10
August : 6–5 (Home: 4–1; Road: 2–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
21August 3@ Indiana L 75–86 Fowles (17) Collier (7) Sims (5) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
7,884
10–11
22August 6@ Atlanta W 85–69 Collier (22)Tied (11) Collier (5) State Farm Arena
3,395
11–11
23August 9 Connecticut W 89–57 Fowles (17) Fowles (12) Sims (9) Target Center
8,892
12–11
24August 11@ Washington L 78–101 Sims (20) Collier (6) Sims (8) St. Elizabeth's East Arena
4,200
12–12
25August 13@ New York W 89–73 Sims (17) Fowles (8) Sims (6) Westchester County Center
1,570
13–12
26August 16 Washington L 79–86 Fowles (16) Collier (9)Tied (5) Target Center
8,803
13–13
27August 18@ Seattle L 74–82 Sims (30) Collier (5) Robinson (9) Alaska Airlines Arena
9,000
13–14
28August 20@ Los Angeles L 71–81 Brown (20)Tied (7) Collier (4) Staples Center
9,244
13–15
29August 22 Dallas W 86–70 Collier (19)Tied (7) Dantas (8) Target Center
8,124
14–15
30August 25 Las Vegas W 98–77 Tied (23)Tied (6) Robinson (8) Target Center
8,834
15–15
31August 27 Chicago W 93–85 Fowles (25) Fowles (12) Sims (8) Target Center
8,092
16–15
September : 2–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
32September 1 Indiana W 81–73 Sims (17) Collier (10)3 tied (4) Target Center
8,833
17–15
33September 6@ Phoenix W 83–69 Sims (22) Fowles (11) Sims (9) Talking Stick Resort Arena
12,140
18–15
34September 8@ Los Angeles L 68–77 Collier (16) Collier (11) Dantas (9) Staples Center
13,500
18–16
2019 season schedule

Playoffs

2019 playoff game log
Total: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
First Round: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 11@ Seattle Storm L 74–84 Dantas (20) Fowles (11) Sims (5) Angel of the Winds Arena
5,011
0–1
2019 playoff schedule

Standings

# Western Conference W L PCT GB Home Road Conf.
1 Los Angeles Sparks (3)2212.64715–27–1010–6
2 Las Vegas Aces (4)2113.618113–48–911–5
3 Seattle Storm (6)1816.529411–67–1010–6
4 Minnesota Lynx (7)1816.529411–67–107–9
5 Phoenix Mercury (8)1519.44179–86–115–11
6e Dallas Wings 1024.294128–92–155–11

Notes

(#) – Conference Standing, Playoff Seeds shown to the right of team name
e – Eliminated from playoffs

Playoffs

First round
Single elimination
(Sept. 11)
Second round
Single elimination
(Sept. 15)
Semifinals
Best-of-5
(Sept. 17 – 24)
WNBA Finals
Best-of-5
(Sept. 29 – Oct. 10)
1 Washington Mystics 3
4 Las Vegas Aces 934 Las Vegas Aces 1
5 Chicago Sky 1055 Chicago Sky 921 Washington Mystics 3
8 Phoenix Mercury 762 Connecticut Sun 2
2 Connecticut Sun 3
3 Los Angeles Sparks 923 Los Angeles Sparks 0
6 Seattle Storm 846 Seattle Storm 69
7 Minnesota Lynx 74

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage 3P%  3-point field-goal percentage FT%  Free-throw percentage TO  Turnovers per game
 PF  Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Regular season

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Odyssey Sims 343431.941.526.979.53.45.41.40.114.5
Sylvia Fowles 343429.558.8070.78.91.50.91.413.6
Napheesa Collier 343433.349.036.179.26.62.61.90.913.1
Danielle Robinson 342627.043.722.087.93.53.71.20.210.1
Damiris Dantas 262625.743.239.373.14.53.20.70.69.2
Lexie Brown 33018.340.238.578.91.41.40.90.07.6
Temi Fagbenle 18015.137.032.672.22.90.80.30.35.4
Stephanie Talbot 33917.037.032.687.12.41.20.90.35.2
Jessica Shepard 6018.731.316.775.05.73.50.30.24.8
Seimone Augustus 12713.031.316.775.00.61.30.40.13.8
Karima Christmas-Kelly 6012.027.827.360.00.81.00.80.22.7
Bridget Carleton 402.850.050.000.30000.8

Awards and milestones

RecipientAward/milestoneDate awardedReference
Odyssey Sims WNBA All-Star Selection July 15, 2019 [26]
Sylvia Fowles
Napheesa Collier WNBA All-Star Replacement Selection July 22, 2019 [27]
Danielle Robinson WNBA Community Assist Award - JuneJuly 23, 2019 [28]
Napheesa Collier WNBA Rookie of the Month - July August 1, 2019 [29]
WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week August 26, 2019 [30]
Rookie of the Year September 16, 2019 [31]
WNBA All-Rookie Team September 16, 2019 [32]
Cheryl Reeve WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year Award September 18, 2019 [33]

References

  1. "The Shift". playertribune.com. playertribune.com. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  2. "Lynx Announce Basketball Operations Updates". lynx.wnba.com. lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  3. "Minnesota Lynx Sign Forward Karima Christmas-Kelly". lynx.wnba.com. lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  4. "Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Four-Time WNBA Champion Seimone Augustus". lynx.wnba.com. lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  5. "Minnesota Lynx Sign Forward Damiris Dantas". lynx.wnba.com. lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  6. "Lynx Sign Forward Jillian Alleyne". lynx.wnba.com. lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  7. "Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Forward Erlana Larkins". lynx.wnba.com. lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  8. "Griffin, out of WNBA for 5 years, to Lynx camp". ESPN. The Associated Press. February 28, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  9. "WNBA Draft: Lynx bring in Shepard, Dillard, Bell, trade for Brown". FOX Sports. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  10. "Minnesota Lynx Acquire 2020 Second Round Draft Pick in Exchange for Guard Tanisha Wright". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  11. "Lynx sign Chinese Olympic player Shao Ting to contract". startribune.com. Star Tribune. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  12. "Minnesota Lynx Acquire Guard Odyssey Sims". WNBA. April 22, 2019. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  13. "Lynx Waive Guard Cierra Dillard". WNBA. May 11, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.
  14. "Lynx Waive Guard Taylor Emery". WNBA. May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  15. "Sky Acquire 2020 Third-Round Pick From Minnesota Lynx". WNBA. May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  16. "Mercury Acquire 2020 Second-Round Pick From Minnesota". WNBA. May 21, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  17. "Lynx Waive Forward Erlana Larkins". WNBA. May 22, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
  18. "Minnesota Lynx Sign Guard Kenisha Bell and Forward Asia Taylor". WNBA. July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  19. "Temi Fagbenle returns to the Minnesota Lynx from EuroBasket". High Post Hoops. July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
  20. "Lynx Waive Center Alaina Coates". WNBA. July 14, 2019. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  21. "Damiris Dantas Injury Update". WNBA. July 19, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  22. "Lynx Sign Forward Jillian Alleyne". WNBA. July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  23. "Lynx Sign Forward Jillian Alleyne". WNBA. August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  24. "Lynx Sign Forward Jillian Alleyne". WNBA. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  25. "Lynx Sign Forward Bridget Carleton". WNBA. August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  26. "Seven-Time Selection Charles, Dupree, Highlight Reserves For All-Star". WNBA. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  27. "Lynx's Napheesa Collier To Replace A'ja Wilson In AT&T WNBA All-Star 2019". WNBA. July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  28. "Minnesota's Danielle Robinson Receives Community Assist Award". WNBA. July 23, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  29. @WNBA (August 1, 2019). "Baller alert 🚨 @PHEEsespieces earns #WNBA Rookie of the Month! 👏" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  30. "Vandersloot, Collier Earn Player Of The Week Honors". WNBA. August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2019.
  31. "Minnesota's Napheesa Collier Named 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year". WNBA. September 16, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  32. "Rookie of the Year Collier Headlines 2019 All-Rookie Team". WNBA. September 16, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
  33. "Minnesota's Cheryl Reeve Named 2019 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year". WNBA. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.