2023 Minnesota Lynx season

Last updated

2023 Minnesota Lynx season
Coach Cheryl Reeve
Arena Target Center
Attendance7,777 per game
Results
Record1921 (.475)
Place3rd (Western)
Playoff finish6th seed; Lost 1st Round 1–2 to Connecticut
Team Leaders
Points Napheesa Collier - 21.5
Rebounds Napheesa Collier - 8.5
Assists Lindsay Allen - 4.5
Media
Television Bally Sports North
ESPN
CBS Sports Network
ION
Amazon Prime Video

The 2023 Minnesota Lynx season was the 25th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the fourteenth season under head coach Cheryl Reeve.

Contents

Reeve signed a multi-year contract extension to return as Head Coach in November, while also moving from General Manager to President of Basketball Operations. [1] On December 13, 2022, the Lynx announced Clare Duwelius as the fourth General Manager in franchise history.

The Lynx earned the second overall pick through the 2023 WNBA Draft Lottery. They went into the lottery selection holding the fourth best odds to get the first overall pick, but still moved up two selections. [2]

On November 22, 2022, Natalie Achonwa announced her pregnancy via Instagram. [3]

The WNBA announced that the first WNBA Canada Game would feature the Chicago Sky and the Lynx on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. This would be the first-ever WNBA preseason game in Canada. [4]

On September 4, Napheesa Collier was announced as the first-ever winner of the Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award. The Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award will be an annual award recognizing a Lynx player who best embodies the altruistic traits of kindness, selflessness and overall regard for the well-being of others throughout the community. [5]

The Lynx season started out slowly as they lost five straight games to start the season, ending May 0–5. The losing streak was extended to six as the Lynx lost their first game in June. They won their first game of the season on June 3. They followed up the win with another loss, but then beat Los Angeles back to back. They lost two of their next three games, but won two straight games against Seattle to end June with a 6–4 record. Their two game win streak carried over into July, where the Lynx won their first three games of the month. This five game winning streak was followed by a three game losing streak. The Lynx would win four of their last five games of the month to finish July with a 7–4 record, and make it back to .500 overall. The better fortunes would not stick around to begin August as the Lynx lost three of their first four games. They did win three of their next four before losing the last two games of the month to finish August 4–6. Entering September, the Lynx were solidly in the hunt for a playoff spot. They won their first two games of the month and secured a playoff spot on September 5. They would lose their last two games of the season and finish September 2–2.

The Lynx finished the season 19–21, which saw them finish in a tie for fifth place in the playoff standings. In the tiebreaker with the Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics they finished second. The tiebreaker was overall record against the teams and Minnesota was 3–3. As the sixth overall seed in the 2023 WNBA Playoffs the Lynx would face off against the Connecticut Sun, with the first two games of the series being in Connecticut. In the first game of the series, the Sun got off to a hot start and ended up winning game one 90–60. Needing to win to force a third game, the Lynx won a close game in Connecticut 82–75. However, they could not seal the series at home, losing 75–90 to end their season.

Transactions

WNBA draft

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/Team/Country
12 Diamond Miller Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Maryland
112 Maïa Hirsch Flag of France.svg  France ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq
216 Dorka Juhász Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary UConn
224 Brea Beal Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States South Carolina
328 Taylor Soule Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Virginia Tech

Transactions

DateTransaction
November 3, 2022Signed Head Coach Cheryl Reeve to Multi-Year Contract Extension. Reeve also promoted to President of Basketball Operations [6]
December 13, 2022Named Clare Duwelius as General Manager [7]
January 13, 2023Extended Qualifying Offers to Bridget Carleton and Anna Cruz [8]
January 16, 2023 Maya Moore officially announced her retirement from the WNBA [9]
February 3, 2023Signed Damiris Dantas, Bridget Carleton, Lindsay Allen, Nikolina Milić, and Tiffany Mitchell [10]
February 4, 2023Signed Kiana Williams, Stephanie Watts, and Maya Dodson to Training Camp Contracts [11]
February 18, 2023Signed Rachel Banham [12]
March 15, 2023Hired Kristin Haynie as Assistant Coach [13]
April 14, 2023Signed Diamond Miller, Dorka Juhász, Brea Beal, and Taylor Soule to Rookie Scale Contracts [14]
Signed Myah Selland and Keishana Washington to Training Camp Contracts [15]
April 20, 2023Assistant Coach Kristin Haynie announces she will leave to become the Head Coach at Central Michigan [16]
April 26, 2023Hired Elaine Powell as Assistant Coach [17]
May 3, 2023Waived Keishana Washington [18]
May 8, 2023Waived Stephanie Watts and Kiana Williams [19]
May 14, 2023Waived Maya Dodson and Myah Selland [20]
May 16, 2023Waived Brea Beal [21]
May 18, 2023Waived Damiris Dantas and Taylor Soule [22]
Placed Natalie Achonwa on the Inactive List due to Pregnancy/Child-Birth
June 14, 2023Signed Emily Engstler to a Hardship Contract [23]
June 26, 2023Signed Kayana Traylor to a Hardship Contract [24]
July 20, 2023Released Kayana Traylor from the Hardship Contract [25]
July 26, 2023Released Emily Engstler from the Hardship Contract [26]
July 28, 2023Signed Emily Engstler to a 7-Day Contract [27]
September 8, 2023Signed Kayla McBride to a Contract Extension [28]

Roster Changes

Roster

2023 Minnesota Lynx roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
F 11 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Achonwa, Natalie  (Maternity Leave)6' 3" (1.91m)198 lb (90kg)1992-11-22 Notre Dame 8
G 2 Flag of the United States.svg Allen, Lindsay  Cruz Roja.svg5' 8" (1.73m)145 lb (66kg)1995-03-20 Notre Dame 5
G 15 Flag of the United States.svg Banham, Rachel 5' 9" (1.75m)175 lb (79kg)1993-07-15 Minnesota 7
G/F 6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Carleton, Bridget 6' 1" (1.85m)190 lb (86kg)1997-05-22 Iowa State 4
F 24 Flag of the United States.svg Collier, Napheesa 6' 2" (1.88m)185 lb (84kg)1996-09-23 Connecticut 4
G/F 14 Flag of Hungary.svg Juhász, Dorka 6' 5" (1.96m)192 lb (87kg)1999-12-18 Connecticut R
G 21 Flag of the United States.svg McBride, Kayla 5' 10" (1.78m)186 lb (84kg)1992-06-25 Notre Dame 9
F 31 Flag of Serbia.svg Milić, Nikolina 6' 3" (1.91m)172 lb (78kg)1994-04-12 Serbia 1
G 1 Flag of the United States.svg Miller, Diamond 6' 3" (1.91m)163 lb (74kg)2001-02-11 Maryland R
G 25 Flag of the United States.svg Mitchell, Tiffany 5' 9" (1.75m)152 lb (69kg)1994-09-23 South Carolina 7
G/F 3 Flag of the United States.svg Powers, Aerial 5' 9" (1.75m)166 lb (75kg)1994-07-17 Michigan State 7
F 10 Flag of the United States.svg Shepard, Jessica 6' 3" (1.91m)184 lb (83kg)1996-09-11 Notre Dame 2
F Flag of France.svg Hirsch, Maïa  (DP)6' 5" (1.96m)2003-11-13 France
Head coach
Flag of the United States.svg Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)
Assistant coaches
Flag of the United States.svg Katie Smith (Ohio State)
Flag of the United States.svg Rebekkah Brunson (Georgetown)
Flag of the United States.svg Elaine Powell (LSU)
Athletic trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Chuck Barta (UW–La Crosse)
Assistant trainer
Flag of the United States.svg Brandi BlueArm (Minnesota State)

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

Depth

Pos.StarterBench
PG Lindsay Allen Cruz Roja.svg Tiffany Mitchell
SG Kayla McBride Rachel Banham
SF Diamond Miller Bridget Carleton
Aerial Powers
PF Napheesa Collier Nikolina Milić
C Jessica Shepard Dorka Juhász
Natalie Achonwa (inactive)

Schedule

Preseason

2023 game log
Total: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1)
May: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 5 Washington W 72–69 Diamond Miller (19) Dorka Juhász (10) Tiffany Mitchell (6) Target Center
5,001
1–0
2May 13vs. Chicago L 74–82 Tiffany Mitchell (19) Juhász
McBride (6)
Tiffany Mitchell (6) Scotiabank Arena
19,800
1–1
2023 season schedule

Regular Season

2023 game log
Total: 19–21 (Home: 9–11; Road: 10–10)
May: 0–5 (Home: 0–2; Road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 19 Chicago L 66–77 Napheesa Collier (17) Jessica Shepard (8) Jessica Shepard (7) Target Center
8,024
0–1
2May 23 Atlanta L 77–83 Napheesa Collier (20) Jessica Shepard (10) Napheesa Collier (5) Target Center
7,803
0–2
3May 25@ Phoenix L 81–90 Aerial Powers (20) Napheesa Collier (7) Collier
Mitchell (4)
Footprint Center
6,057
0–3
4May 28@ Las Vegas L 73–94 Napheesa Collier (21) Jessica Shepard (15) Jessica Shepard (7) Michelob Ultra Arena
7,970
0–4
5May 30@ Dallas L 89–94 Kayla McBride (18) Jessica Shepard (10) Jessica Shepard (5) College Park Center
3,484
0–5
July : 7–4 (Home: 4–3; Road: 3–1)
August : 4–6 (Home: 1–3; Road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
28August 1@ Connecticut L 69–79 Lindsay Allen (16) Dorka Juhász (11) Diamond Miller (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
4,894
13–14
29August 4 New York L 66–76 Napheesa Collier (18) Jessica Shepard (11) Lindsay Allen (10) Target Center
7,631
13–15
30August 8@ Chicago W 88–79 Napheesa Collier (29) Diamond Miller (11) Kayla McBride (7) Wintrust Arena
5,099
14–15
31August 10@ Indiana L 73–91 Rachel Banham (18) Jessica Shepard (7) Lindsay Allen (5) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
2,551
14–16
32August 18@ Seattle W 78–70 Napheesa Collier (24) Dorka Juhász (12) Collier
Juhász
McBride (4)
Climate Pledge Arena
8,865
15–16
33August 20 Seattle L 74–88 Kayla McBride (18) Napheesa Collier (9) Diamond Miller (6) Target Center
6,525
15–17
34August 22 Dallas W 91–86 Napheesa Collier (29) Napheesa Collier (7) Dorka Juhász (7) Target Center
6,291
16–17
35August 24@ Dallas W 90–81 Napheesa Collier (25) Collier
McBride (7)
Tiffany Mitchell (7) College Park Center
3,931
17–17
36August 26 New York L 76–111 Diamond Miller (18) Diamond Miller (9) Rachel Banham (4) Target Center
7,101
17–18
37August 29@ Washington L 72–83 Diamond Miller (25) Napheesa Collier (10) Collier
Juhász (4)
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,708
17–19
September : 2–2 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
38September 1 Atlanta W 91–85 (OT) Napheesa Collier (27) Napheesa Collier (17) Juhász
Mitchell (6)
Target Center
7,114
18–19
39September 3 Phoenix W 86–73 Kayla McBride (23) Napheesa Collier (16) Dorka Juhász (8) Target Center
7,314
19–19
40September 8@ Chicago L 87–92 Napheesa Collier (28) Dorka Juhász (10) Collier
Juhász
Mitchell (5)
Wintrust Arena
7,994
19–20
41September 10@ Indiana L 72–87 Kayla McBride (24) Collier
Juhász (10)
Tiffany Mitchell (3) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
4,009
19–21
2023 season schedule

Playoffs

2023 playoff game log
First Round vs. Connecticut
Lost Series: 1–2
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 13@ Connecticut L 60–90 Kayla McBride (16) Collier
Juhász (6)
Kayla McBride (3) Mohegan Sun Arena
5,056
0–1
2September 17@ Connecticut W 82–75 Kayla McBride (28) Napheesa Collier (13) Dorka Juhász (6) Mohegan Sun Arena
6,673
1–1
3September 20 Connecticut L 75–90 Napheesa Collier (31) Kayla McBride (7) Tiffany Mitchell (5) Target Center
8,724
1–2
2023 playoff schedule

Standings

#Team
W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xLas Vegas Aces 346.85018–219–115–59–1
2xNew York Liberty 328.800216–415–517–37–3
3xConnecticut Sun 2713.675714–613–714–67–3
4xDallas Wings 2218.5501211–911–911–96–4
5xAtlanta Dream 1921.4751511–911–98–126–4
6xMinnesota Lynx 1921.4751512–89–1110–105–5
7xWashington Mystics 1921.475159–1112–87–135–5
8xChicago Sky 1822.450165–157–1311–93–7
9eLos Angeles Sparks 1723.425179–1110–107–135–5
10eIndiana Fever 1327.325215–156–147–132–8
11eSeattle Storm 1129.275238–124–167–134–6
12ePhoenix Mercury 931.225252–188–121–191–9

Playoffs

Round One:
Best-of-3
Semifinals:
Best-of-5
Finals:
Best-of-5
         
1 Las Vegas Aces 2
8 Chicago Sky 0
1 Las Vegas Aces 3
4 Dallas Wings 0
4 Dallas Wings 2
5 Atlanta Dream 0
1 Las Vegas Aces 3
2 New York Liberty 1
2 New York Liberty 2
7 Washington Mystics 0
2 New York Liberty 3
3 Connecticut Sun 1
3 Connecticut Sun 2
6 Minnesota Lynx 1

Bold Series winner

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
Napheesa Collier 373733.5.485.298.8408.52.51.61.221.5
Kayla McBride 383831.8.424.342.8673.22.21.20.214.3
Diamond Miller 323226.1.403.307.8003.52.50.90.312.1
Jessica Shepard 211726.9.516.000.7747.03.10.60.18.1
Tiffany Mitchell 332123.1.404.289.8332.32.30.50.17.3
Lindsay Allen 292024.1.399.206.7922.44.50.60.16.2
Dorka Juhász 382724.2.472.271.5406.52.60.90.66.0
Nikolina Milić 39312.7.464.364.8042.40.80.10.15.9
Rachel Banham 32113.6.370.402.7861.01.70.30.15.5
Aerial Powers 2009.8.345.337.7331.80.90.30.13.2
Bridget Carleton 38415.1.345.337.7332.30.90.30.13.2
Emily Engstler 1207.8.381.286.3752.40.60.40.11.8
Kayana Traylor 804.4.300.0001.0000.10.40.30.01.0


Waived/Released during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

Playoffs

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Napheesa Collier 3336.0.509.333.8678.01.70.71.323.7
Kayla McBride 3339.3.432.3701.0006.02.71.00.018.0
Bridget Carleton 3024.0.600.444.7503.70.71.00.08.3
Diamond Miller 3323.0.261.222.6671.32.01.00.05.3
Dorka Juhász 3324.0.500.000.4555.02.70.70.05.0
Rachel Banham 3019.7.316.231.0001.73.01.00.75.0
Aerial Powers 1014.0.000.0001.0003.00.01.00.04.0
Tiffany Mitchell 3321.7.417.500.0003.33.70.30.03.7
Nikolina Milić 307.3.400.0001.0001.30.70.00.02.0

Awards and honors

RecipientAward/MilestoneDate AwardedReference
Napheesa Collier WNBA All-Star July 1 [30]
Western Conference Player of the Week July 5 [31]
September 4 [32]
Sylvia Fowles Altruism AwardSeptember 4 [5]
All-Defensive Second Team September 22 [33]
All-WNBA First Team October 15 [34]
Diamond Miller Rookie of the Month - July August 2 [35]
WNBA All-Rookie Team October 2 [36]
Dorka Juhász WNBA All-Rookie Team October 2 [36]

References

  1. "Lynx Sign Head Coach Cheryl Reeve to Multi-Year Contract Extension". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  2. "Minnesota Lynx Secure No. 2 Pick in WNBA Draft". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  3. Youngblood, Kent. "Lynx center Natalie Achonwa announces pregnancy". startribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  4. "First-Ever WNBA Canada Game to Feature Lynx and Chicago Sky in Toronto". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Minnesota Lynx Announce Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  6. Philippou, Alexa (November 3, 2022). "Cheryl Reeve gets extension, promotion to Lynx president". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  7. "Minnesota Lynx Name Clare Duwelius as General Manager". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  8. @RachGall (January 13, 2023). "The Minnesota Lynx have extended Qualifying Offers to Bridget Carleton and Anna Cruz. @Winsidr" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  9. "Lynx Forward Maya Moore Announces Her Retirement From The WNBA". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  10. "Minnesota Lynx Return Four". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  11. "Minnesota Lynx Sign Three To Training Camp Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  12. "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Rachel Banham". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  13. "Lynx Complete Coaching and Basketball Operations Staff". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. "Lynx Sign 2023 Draft Selections". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  15. "Minnesota Lynx Sign Keishana Washington and Myah Selland to Training Camp Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  16. "Minnesota Lynx Statement Regarding Kristin Haynie". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
  17. "Minnesota Lynx Add Elaine Powell and Michael Wexler to Basketball Operations Staff". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  18. "Lynx Waive Guard Keishana Washington". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
  19. "Lynx Waive Kiana Williams and Stephanie Watts". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  20. "Lynx Waive Maya Dodson and Myah Selland". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  21. "Lynx Waive Brea Beal". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  22. "Lynx Waive Damiris Dantas and Taylor Soule". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  23. "Lynx Sign Emily Engstler". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  24. "Lynx Sign Guard Kayana Traylor". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  25. "Lynx Activate Aerial Powers". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  26. "Lynx Forward Jessica Shepard Cleared to Return". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  27. "Lynx Sign Forward Emily Engstler". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  28. "Lynx Sign Kayla McBride to Multi-Year Contract Extension". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  29. "MLB, WNBA postpone games due to smoke from Canadian wildfires". ESPN . June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  30. "Connecticut Sun's Alyssa Thomas, Washington Mystics' Elena Delle Donne Highlight Reserves For 2023 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  31. "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  32. "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  33. @WNBA (September 22, 2023). "Your 2023 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team ⬇️ @BetnijahLaney @ezimagbegor @nnekaogwumike @PHEEsespieces @E_Williams_1 #MoreThanGame" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  34. "Kia WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart, Kia WNBA Defensive Player of the Year A'ja Wilson and Record-Setting Alyssa Thomas Headline 2023 All-WNBA First Team". wnba.com (Press release). WNBA. October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  35. Kennedy, Alex (August 2, 2023). "Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson are WNBA Players of the Month for July". basketballnews.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  36. 1 2 "Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston Named 2023 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year". WNBA. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.