Lynx 85 (22-6) – Silver Stars 75 (13-14)
MENZIE HENDERSON
Lynx Writer
Box ScoreHow it Happened
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The Lynx exploded for a 17-1 run to start the final stanza that seized complete control of what was a back-and-forth battle between two Western Conference rivals. Who knows what it was or what was said, but something fierce triggered Lindsay Whalen and the Minnesota Lynx during the break heading into the last period.
The home team thrived off a riotous crowd of 9,212 to play with unmatchable effort, heart, and hustle on both ends of the floor to run away with the 85-75 victory.
The San Antonio Silver Stars welcomed back rookie All-Star Danielle Adams from injury, but it didn’t help much as the team continues to fight recent struggles and have now dropped five straight.
Adams led the Silver Stars offensively with 10 points off the bench, but failed to receive much help from fellow All-Star teammate Becky Hammon. The veteran guard did not record a single point in the loss and has just four points in her last two outings.
By winning 15 of their last 17 games and improving to 22-6, Minnesota’s magic number to clinch home court advantage through the Western Conference playoffs now falls to just one (with a Phoenix Mercury loss earlier tonight).
Quotable
"I thought Lindsay Whalen all of a sudden was just flying all over the place, trying to block shots and she just really turned it up," head coach Cheryl Reeve said. "I think what happens sometimes when you get however many games into it, 28 games into it, you get that mid/three-quarter part where you just start going through the motions, not intentionally. We talked to Whalen about playing better defense, getting more rebounds and I just think she took it personally. I thought her play was contagious and then the next thing you know Maya was doing it. I thought 'Mone had a great effort on Hammon. Taj and Brunson were awfully good. When those five are playing like that it, I think we are hard to beat."
Leader of the Pack
The look of determination on Lindsay Whalen’s face stayed the same from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Whalen made some incredible shots that were definitely worth celebrating about, and still looked pissed off. Her displayed heart and passion tonight was undoubtedly contagious as it spread through her teammates and into the stands like wildfire at Target Center. Only a true team leader is capable of a movement like this. With numbers tonight of 14 points and nine assists, Whalen continues to make a strong case for MVP. Notable Performance
Seimone Augustus provided key buckets when the Lynx needed them most and finished with a team-high 19 points. On the other side of the ball, Augustus played tremendous defense on San Antonio’s Becky Hammon, holding the perennial All-Star scoreless for the first time all season.
Rookie Report
Thousands of fans flocked to Target Center in hopes to receive a commemorative Maya Moore bobblehead, and she did not disappoint on her night. The rookie sensation found her groove in the second half to drop 18 points, including four treys from beyond the arc.
Looking Ahead
The Lynx travel to take on the Silver Stars again on Sunday afternoon at 2 PM in attempt of a regular season four game sweep.
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