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.
| 2023 Minnesota Lynx season | |
|---|---|
| Coach | Cheryl Reeve |
| Arena | Target Center |
| Attendance | 7,777 per game |
| Results | |
| Record | 19–21 (.475) |
| Place | 3rd (Western) |
| Playoff finish | 6th 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 |
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
editWNBA draft
edit| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | School/Team/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Diamond Miller | Maryland | |
| 1 | 12 | Maïa Hirsch | ESB Villeneuve-d'Ascq | |
| 2 | 16 | Dorka Juhász | UConn | |
| 2 | 24 | Brea Beal | South Carolina | |
| 3 | 28 | Taylor Soule | Virginia Tech |
Transactions
edit| Date | Transaction | |
|---|---|---|
| November 3, 2022 | Signed Head Coach Cheryl Reeve to Multi-Year Contract Extension. Reeve also promoted to President of Basketball Operations[6] | |
| December 13, 2022 | Named Clare Duwelius as General Manager[7] | |
| January 13, 2023 | Extended Qualifying Offers to Bridget Carleton and Anna Cruz[8] | |
| January 16, 2023 | Maya Moore officially announced her retirement from the WNBA[9] | |
| February 3, 2023 | Signed Damiris Dantas, Bridget Carleton, Lindsay Allen, Nikolina Milić, and Tiffany Mitchell[10] | |
| February 4, 2023 | Signed Kiana Williams, Stephanie Watts, and Maya Dodson to Training Camp Contracts[11] | |
| February 18, 2023 | Signed Rachel Banham[12] | |
| March 15, 2023 | Hired Kristin Haynie as Assistant Coach[13] | |
| April 14, 2023 | Signed 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, 2023 | Assistant Coach Kristin Haynie announces she will leave to become the Head Coach at Central Michigan[16] | |
| April 26, 2023 | Hired Elaine Powell as Assistant Coach[17] | |
| May 3, 2023 | Waived Keishana Washington[18] | |
| May 8, 2023 | Waived Stephanie Watts and Kiana Williams[19] | |
| May 14, 2023 | Waived Maya Dodson and Myah Selland[20] | |
| May 16, 2023 | Waived Brea Beal[21] | |
| May 18, 2023 | Waived Damiris Dantas and Taylor Soule[22] | |
| Placed Natalie Achonwa on the Inactive List due to Pregnancy/Child-Birth | ||
| June 14, 2023 | Signed Emily Engstler to a Hardship Contract[23] | |
| June 26, 2023 | Signed Kayana Traylor to a Hardship Contract[24] | |
| July 20, 2023 | Released Kayana Traylor from the Hardship Contract[25] | |
| July 26, 2023 | Released Emily Engstler from the Hardship Contract[26] | |
| July 28, 2023 | Signed Emily Engstler to a 7-Day Contract[27] | |
| September 8, 2023 | Signed Kayla McBride to a Contract Extension[28] | |
Roster Changes
edit
Additionsedit
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Subtractionsedit
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Roster
edit| 2023 Minnesota Lynx roster | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Players | Coaches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Depth
editSchedule
editPreseason
edit| 2023 game log Total: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1)
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| 2023 season schedule | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Regular Season
editPlayoffs
edit| 2023 playoff game log | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First Round vs. Connecticut Lost Series: 1–2
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| 2023 playoff schedule | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Standings
edit| # | Team |
W | L | PCT | GB | Conf. | Home | Road | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x – Las Vegas Aces | 34 | 6 | .850 | – | 18–2 | 19–1 | 15–5 | 9–1 |
| 2 | x – New York Liberty | 32 | 8 | .800 | 2 | 16–4 | 15–5 | 17–3 | 7–3 |
| 3 | x – Connecticut Sun | 27 | 13 | .675 | 7 | 14–6 | 13–7 | 14–6 | 7–3 |
| 4 | x – Dallas Wings | 22 | 18 | .550 | 12 | 11–9 | 11–9 | 11–9 | 6–4 |
| 5 | x – Atlanta Dream | 19 | 21 | .475 | 15 | 11–9 | 11–9 | 8–12 | 6–4 |
| 6 | x – Minnesota Lynx | 19 | 21 | .475 | 15 | 12–8 | 9–11 | 10–10 | 5–5 |
| 7 | x – Washington Mystics | 19 | 21 | .475 | 15 | 9–11 | 12–8 | 7–13 | 5–5 |
| 8 | x – Chicago Sky | 18 | 22 | .450 | 16 | 5–15 | 7–13 | 11–9 | 3–7 |
| 9 | e – Los Angeles Sparks | 17 | 23 | .425 | 17 | 9–11 | 10–10 | 7–13 | 5–5 |
| 10 | e – Indiana Fever | 13 | 27 | .325 | 21 | 5–15 | 6–14 | 7–13 | 2–8 |
| 11 | e – Seattle Storm | 11 | 29 | .275 | 23 | 8–12 | 4–16 | 7–13 | 4–6 |
| 12 | e – Phoenix Mercury | 9 | 31 | .225 | 25 | 2–18 | 8–12 | 1–19 | 1–9 |
Playoffs
edit| 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
edit| Legend | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games 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 game | Team leader | League leader | ||||
Regular Season
edit| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | 37 | 37 | 33.5 | .485 | .298 | .840 | 8.5 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 21.5 |
| Kayla McBride | 38 | 38 | 31.8 | .424 | .342 | .867 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 14.3 |
| Diamond Miller | 32 | 32 | 26.1 | .403 | .307 | .800 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 12.1 |
| Jessica Shepard | 21 | 17 | 26.9 | .516 | .000 | .774 | 7.0 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 8.1 |
| Tiffany Mitchell | 33 | 21 | 23.1 | .404 | .289 | .833 | 2.3 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 7.3 |
| Lindsay Allen | 29 | 20 | 24.1 | .399 | .206 | .792 | 2.4 | 4.5 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 6.2 |
| Dorka Juhász | 38 | 27 | 24.2 | .472 | .271 | .540 | 6.5 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 6.0 |
| Nikolina Milić | 39 | 3 | 12.7 | .464 | .364 | .804 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 5.9 |
| Rachel Banham | 32 | 1 | 13.6 | .370 | .402 | .786 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 5.5 |
| Aerial Powers | 20 | 0 | 9.8 | .345 | .337 | .733 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 3.2 |
| Bridget Carleton | 38 | 4 | 15.1 | .345 | .337 | .733 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 3.2 |
| Emily Engstler‡ | 12 | 0 | 7.8 | .381 | .286 | .375 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 1.8 |
| Kayana Traylor‡ | 8 | 0 | 4.4 | .300 | .000 | 1.000 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
‡Waived/Released during the season
†Traded during the season
≠Acquired during the season
Playoffs
edit| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | 3 | 3 | 36.0 | .509 | .333 | .867 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 23.7 |
| Kayla McBride | 3 | 3 | 39.3 | .432 | .370 | 1.000 | 6.0 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 18.0 |
| Bridget Carleton | 3 | 0 | 24.0 | .600 | .444 | .750 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 8.3 |
| Diamond Miller | 3 | 3 | 23.0 | .261 | .222 | .667 | 1.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 5.3 |
| Dorka Juhász | 3 | 3 | 24.0 | .500 | .000 | .455 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
| Rachel Banham | 3 | 0 | 19.7 | .316 | .231 | .000 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 5.0 |
| Aerial Powers | 1 | 0 | 14.0 | .000 | .000 | 1.000 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 |
| Tiffany Mitchell | 3 | 3 | 21.7 | .417 | .500 | .000 | 3.3 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 3.7 |
| Nikolina Milić | 3 | 0 | 7.3 | .400 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
Awards and honors
edit| Recipient | Award/Milestone | Date Awarded | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | WNBA All-Star | July 1 | [30] |
| Western Conference Player of the Week | July 5 | [31] | |
| September 4 | [32] | ||
| Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award | September 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
edit- ^ "Lynx Sign Head Coach Cheryl Reeve to Multi-Year Contract Extension". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Secure No. 2 Pick in WNBA Draft". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ Youngblood, Kent. "Lynx center Natalie Achonwa announces pregnancy". startribune.com. Star Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ "First-Ever WNBA Canada Game to Feature Lynx and Chicago Sky in Toronto". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ a b "Minnesota Lynx Announce Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ Philippou, Alexa (November 3, 2022). "Cheryl Reeve gets extension, promotion to Lynx president". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Name Clare Duwelius as General Manager". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
- ^ @RachGall (January 13, 2023). "The Minnesota Lynx have extended Qualifying Offers to Bridget Carleton and Anna Cruz. @Winsidr" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Lynx Forward Maya Moore Announces Her Retirement From The WNBA". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Return Four". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Three To Training Camp Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Rachel Banham". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Complete Coaching and Basketball Operations Staff". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Sign 2023 Draft Selections". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Keishana Washington and Myah Selland to Training Camp Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Statement Regarding Kristin Haynie". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Add Elaine Powell and Michael Wexler to Basketball Operations Staff". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Waive Guard Keishana Washington". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Waive Kiana Williams and Stephanie Watts". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Waive Maya Dodson and Myah Selland". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Waive Brea Beal". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Waive Damiris Dantas and Taylor Soule". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Sign Emily Engstler". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Sign Guard Kayana Traylor". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Activate Aerial Powers". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Forward Jessica Shepard Cleared to Return". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Sign Forward Emily Engstler". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Sign Kayla McBride to Multi-Year Contract Extension". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
- ^ "MLB, WNBA postpone games due to smoke from Canadian wildfires". ESPN. June 7, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ @WNBA (September 22, 2023). "Your 2023 WNBA All-Defensive Second Team ⬇️ @BetnijahLaney @ezimagbegor @nnekaogwumike @PHEEsespieces @E_Williams_1 #MoreThanGame" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Kennedy, Alex (August 2, 2023). "Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson are WNBA Players of the Month for July". basketballnews.com. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
- ^ a b "Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston Named 2023 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year". WNBA. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.