WNBA: Minnesota Lynx at Los Angeles Sparks - Source: Imagn — Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve reacts against the LA Sparks in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

"Hard physically on both of us" - Coach Cheryl Reeve highlights challenges for Lynx in semifinals matchup vs Sun

Modified Sep 29, 2024 10:45 GMT

Cheryl Reeve understands better than most people what it takes to win in the postseason and the veteran coach is preparing her Minnesota Lynx side for a demanding second-round series. Speaking to the press on Saturday, Reeve highlighted physicality as one of the key factors in deciding their upcoming series against the Connecticut Sun.

Over the second half of the WNBA season, the Lynx have been one of the most consistent and effective teams in the league. Since July 17, Minnesota won 14 of their last 16 regular season games and swept the Phoenix Mercury in the opening round of the playoffs.

Reeve, however, believes it will be much more difficult for her dynamic offense to play their game against the Sun.

"The knockdown drag out nature of this series this season is probably what you are going to see... It should be hard for either team to get separation in a game. It will be hard physically on both of us."

Expand Tweet

Led by All-Stars DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, as well as talented forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, the Connecticut Sun boast one of the stingiest defenses in the WNBA.

Over the regular season, Stephanie White's Connecticut ranked first in the league in opponent points per game, holding teams to just 73.6 points. During their first-round playoff series, they held the Indiana Fever to an average of 75 points per game.

Cheryl Reeve understands that this will be a taxing matchup for her Lynx team and that nothing will come easy. Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride led the Lynx in scoring this year, averaging 20.4 and 15 points, respectively. The two All-Stars will have to be at their best if Minnesota has any chance of overcoming Connecticut's physical and resilient defense.

Cheryl Reeve has won more postseason games than any other WNBA coach

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve stands on the sideline against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob Ultra Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

Cheryl Reeve has an impressive resume and is one of the most decorated coaches in WNBA history. Now in her 15th year as the Minnesota Lynx head coach, there is not much she hasn't achieved over her incredible career.

Reeve led the Lynx to four WNBA championships and has been named the WNBA Coach of the Year on three occasions. The talented leader was also named the WNBA basketball executive of the year in 2019.

Overall, she has a 330-180 (.647) record in the regular season and a 44-23 (.657) record in the playoffs.

No coach in WNBA history has won as many playoff games than Reeve (44), with Bill Laimbeer second on the list with 37 postseason wins. Reeve will be looking to add to that total on Sunday when she leads the Lynx out in the second round of the WNBA playoffs against the Connecticut Sun.