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Few expected the Minnesota Lynx to reach the Finals in 2024, but Napheesa Collier had other plans. The All-NBA forward elevated her game to MVP-caliber in the playoffs, averaging 25+ points while anchoring what became the league's stingiest defense. Under the masterful guidance of head coach Cheryl Reeve, the Lynx defied expectations and proved that defense, toughness, and veteran leadership still matter in today's WNBA.
Cheryl Reeve's defensive schemes frustrated opponents throughout the postseason, holding teams well below their season averages and forcing stars into uncomfortable situations. Despite falling short against the Liberty in a thrilling five-game Finals, the Lynx proved they're built for sustained success. With Collier in her prime and emerging talent around her, Minnesota's championship window remains wide open heading into 2025 and beyond.
Minnesota entered the playoffs as the 3rd seed with a 30-10 record, a solid season but not the kind of dominance that typically signals a Finals appearance. They were overshadowed by the Liberty's star power, the Aces' championship pedigree, and the Sun's consistent excellence. Most predictions had them making a respectable playoff run before bowing out in the semifinals.
Those predictions ignored two crucial factors: Napheesa Collier's brilliance and Cheryl Reeve's coaching genius. When the lights got brightest and the stakes were highest, the Lynx played their best basketball of the season. They became the team that no one wanted to face—physical, disciplined, and utterly fearless.
Collier's playoff performance was nothing short of sensational. Her numbers tell part of the story:
But statistics can't fully capture Collier's impact. She was everywhere—defending the opponent's best scorer, crashing the offensive glass, hitting clutch shots, and making winning plays in crucial moments. Her versatility allowed the Lynx to switch everything defensively while still maintaining an offensive threat that demanded double teams.
Against the Aces in the semifinals, Collier averaged 28.3 points and completely outplayed A'ja Wilson in their head-to-head matchup. Her ability to score from all three levels—paint, mid-range, and three—made her impossible to game plan against. When teams loaded up on her, she found open teammates. When they played straight up, she dominated one-on-one.
This is what I've worked my whole career for—to be the player my team can count on when it matters most. We came up short, but we proved we belong on this stage. This isn't the end for us; it's just the beginning.
If Collier was the Lynx's sword, Reeve was their shield. The four-time WNBA Champion coach demonstrated once again why she's considered one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. Her defensive schemes were works of art—complex, adaptable, and devastatingly effective.
The Lynx's defensive philosophy centered on several key principles:
Throughout the playoffs, the Lynx held opponents to 89.2 points per 100 possessions, the best defensive rating in the postseason. They held the Aces—the league's best offensive team—to 18 points below their season average in their semifinal series. Teams couldn't run their normal sets against Minnesota's switching defense and physical play.
While Collier was the star and Reeve the architect, role players made crucial contributions throughout the playoff run. Courtney Williams provided steady playmaking and timely scoring, averaging 14.2 points and 5.3 assists in the playoffs. Her ability to control tempo and make smart decisions with the ball kept the offense organized.
Kayla McBride's veteran presence was invaluable. The sharpshooting guard averaged 16.8 points in the playoffs while shooting 43% from three-point range. Her ability to space the floor and knock down open shots kept defenses from collapsing on Collier. In several close games, McBride hit clutch threes that kept Minnesota in striking distance.
Alanna Smith emerged as a defensive anchor in the frontcourt. The Australian forward's length and mobility made her perfect for Reeve's switching scheme. She averaged 2.1 blocks per game in the playoffs while providing timely offensive rebounds and putbacks. Her energy and effort set the tone for the team's defensive identity.
Minnesota's semifinal series victory over the Las Vegas Aces was the defining moment of their season. The Aces came in as favorites, riding A'ja Wilson's historic MVP campaign and looking to complete the three-peat. Instead, they ran into a Lynx buzzsaw.
The Lynx won the series 3-1, with each victory more impressive than the last. They neutralized Wilson with double teams and help defense, forcing other Aces players to beat them. Chelsea Gray's lingering injury issues and Kelsey Plum's shooting struggles meant the supporting cast couldn't carry the load.
More importantly, the Lynx matched Vegas' physicality and raised their own intensity. They weren't intimidated by the defending champions. They played with a confidence and edge that unsettled the Aces, who seemed to believe their own hype about inevitability. Minnesota proved that talent alone doesn't win championships—you need hunger, toughness, and execution.
The Finals against the Liberty was a battle of contrasting styles. New York had more star power and offensive firepower. Minnesota had better defense and coaching. The series went the full five games, with each contest decided by single digits.
The Lynx led 2-1 after three games, putting them one win away from a championship. But Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu had other plans, dominating Game 4 to force a decisive Game 5. In that final game, both teams played championship-level basketball, but the Liberty's offensive talent proved to be the difference in the closing minutes.
Despite the loss, the Lynx had nothing to hang their heads about. They exceeded expectations, played fearless basketball, and proved they belonged among the league's elite. Collier established herself as a true superstar, and the roster showed it had the talent and toughness to compete for championships.
Minnesota's playoff performance offered several important lessons about winning basketball:
Looking ahead to 2025, the Lynx are positioned as a legitimate championship contender. Collier is entering her prime at 28 years old and has at least 4-5 more years of elite basketball ahead of her. The supporting cast is largely intact and has playoff experience now. Reeve continues to be one of the best coaches in the game.
The front office's challenge this offseason will be adding one more scoring threat to complement Collier. A dynamic wing player or a consistent three-point shooter could be the piece that pushes Minnesota over the top. With limited cap space, creativity will be required, but Reeve and the organization have proven adept at finding value.
The young players on the roster—Dorka Juhász, Diamond Miller, and others—should continue developing and contributing more as they gain experience. The Lynx have built a sustainable winner, not just a flash-in-the-pan playoff team.
While the ending wasn't what Minnesota hoped for, the 2024 season was a massive success. The Lynx re-established themselves as championship contenders, Napheesa Collier announced her arrival as a superstar, and Cheryl Reeve added another coaching masterpiece to her résumé.
This Finals run laid the foundation for future success. The experience of competing on the biggest stage, the confidence gained from beating the Aces, and the chemistry developed through playoff battles—all of these intangibles will serve the Lynx well in coming seasons.
Minnesota basketball fans have plenty of reason for optimism. The championship window is open, the core is locked in, and the hunger for that elusive fifth title burns brighter than ever. The Lynx's improbable Finals run might have fallen just short, but it announced that they're back among the WNBA's elite—and they're not going anywhere.
