The Minnesota Lynx are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team won the WNBA title in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017.
| Minnesota Lynx | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 2024 Minnesota Lynx season | ||||
 | ||||
| Conference | Western | |||
| Leagues | WNBA | |||
| Founded | 1999 | |||
| History | Minnesota Lynx 1999–present | |||
| Arena | _target Center | |||
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |||
| Team colors | Midnight navy blue, lake blue, aurora green, moonlight grey[1][2][3] | |||
| Main sponsor | Mayo Clinic | |||
| President | Cheryl Reeve | |||
| General manager | Vacant | |||
| Head coach | Cheryl Reeve | |||
| Assistant(s) | Rebekkah Brunson Elaine Powell | |||
| Ownership | Glen Taylor Alex Rodriguez Marc Lore | |||
| Championships | 4 (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) | |||
| Conference titles | 7 (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2024)[a] | |||
| Commissioner's Cup titles | 1 (2024) | |||
| Retired numbers | 5 (13), (23), (32), (33), (34) | |||
| Website | lynx.wnba.com | |||
| ||||
Founded prior to the 1999 season, the team is owned by Glen Taylor, who is also the majority owner of the Lynx' NBA counterpart, the Minnesota Timberwolves. The franchise has been home to players such as Katie Smith,[4] Seimone Augustus,[5] native Minnesotan Lindsay Whalen,[6] Maya Moore,[7] Rebekkah Brunson, and Sylvia Fowles.
The Lynx have qualified for the WNBA playoffs in 15 of their 26 years.
History
editJoining the league (1998–2004)
editOn April 22, 1998, the WNBA announced they would add two expansion teams (Minnesota and the Orlando Miracle) for the 1999 season. The team was officially named the Minnesota Lynx on December 5, 1998. The Lynx started their inaugural season in 1999 with 12,122 fans in attendance to watch the first regular-season game against the Detroit Shock at _target Center. The Lynx defeated Detroit 68 – 51 in the franchise's first game. They finished their first season 15–17 overall and held the same record in 2000.
In 2001, the Lynx took a turn for the worse as they posted a 12–20 record.
The Lynx' first head coach, Brian Agler, was released during the 2002 season after compiling a 47–67 record in three-plus seasons. Heidi VanDerveer became the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The team finished the 2002 season with a 10–22 record, worst in franchise history (until 2006).
In 2003, the Lynx hired Suzie McConnell-Serio as head coach. She led the team to finish with a franchise-best 18–16 record and advanced to the WNBA Playoffs for the first time. They matched both of these feats in the 2004 season.
Seimone Augustus joins the team (2005–2007)
edit
The 2005 season was one of transition for the franchise. Leading scorer Katie Smith was dealt to Detroit in July and the team stumbled down the stretch, missing the playoffs for the first time in three years. The poor finish did pay off however, as the team won the draft lottery and selected All-American guard Seimone Augustus of Louisiana State University with the first overall pick in the 2006 WNBA draft.
The Lynx began the 2006 season as the youngest team in the WNBA. On May 31, the team set the WNBA single-game scoring record (at the time), routing the Los Angeles Sparks by a score of 114–71. Despite this victory and with her team floundering to an 8–15 record, head coach McConnell-Serio resigned on July 23. She was replaced by assistant Carolyn Jenkins, who piloted the squad to a 2–9 finish. The team's 24 losses set a franchise record.
Following the season, Augustus was named the 2006 WNBA Rookie of the Year. Her 21.9 points per game is still a WNBA rookie record. The 22-year-old was the second player in team history to win the award.
On December 13, 2006, the Lynx named veteran NBA assistant Don Zierden their fifth head coach.
In the 2007 WNBA draft, the Lynx traded center Tangela Smith, whom they acquired in the dispersal draft from the Charlotte Sting, to the Phoenix Mercury for point guard Lindsey Harding, who had been selected first overall.
The Lynx began the 2007 season 0–7, lost ten straight in July and failed to get into the playoff race. They finished tying a league-worst 10–24 record. On November 1, 2007, assistant coach and former head coach Carolyn Jenkins was named Director of Player Personnel of the WNBA.
Hot starts without results (2008–2009)
editThe 2008 season started out much different for the Lynx than in previous years. They came flying out of the gates, going 7–1 in the first five weeks of the season. The Lynx then cooled off. They managed to play competitive basketball all season, but lost many key games down the stretch. The Lynx finished with a 16–18 record in a tough Western Conference where every team was in the playoff chase until the final week of the season. The Lynx however, did not qualify. After two consecutive 10–24 seasons, the 2008 Lynx was a step in the right direction.
In 2009, Zierden resigned just days before the start of the season. Jennifer Gillom who replaced Teresa Edwards as an assistant coach the previous year, was promoted to head coach. Another Zierden Lynx assistant, former NBA player Jim Petersen stayed with Gillom during the season, working with post players Charde Houston and Nicky Anosike. The Lynx saw similar results in 2008. They started with a good run (7–3), but lost many key games, including a six-game losing streak, and finished 14–20, out from the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
A new team and the first championship (2010–2011)
edit
After five disappointing seasons, the off-season brought much more impact to the franchise. The team hired former Detroit Shock assistant coach Cheryl Reeve as their new head coach, parting ways with Jennifer Gillom, who took the head coaching job of the Los Angeles Sparks. The Lynx also made some moves in the off-season by selecting Rebekkah Brunson in the Sacramento Monarchs dispersal draft, and trading their first overall pick of the 2010 WNBA draft and Renee Montgomery to the Connecticut Sun for former Minnesota Gopher Lindsay Whalen and the second overall pick. They added free agent Hamchétou Maïga to the lineup, and selected University of Virginia guard Monica Wright with the second pick in the 2010 Draft. With these off-season transactions, the Lynx looked forward to a much improved 2010 season, which was echoed by the eighth annual WNBA general manager poll – 45% of the general managers declared the Lynx the most-improved team as the 2010 season began.
The selection of Maya Moore during the 2011 WNBA draft led many people to believe the Lynx to be championship contenders for the 2011 season.[8] The team finally lived up to expectations in 2011, behind stellar play from Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Moore, and Whalen, all of whom were named to the 2011 Western Conference All-Star Team. The Lynx went into the All-Star break with a 10–4 record, good for first place in the conference.[9] After losing to Phoenix in a 112–105 contest at _target Center on July 13, the Lynx went on a nine-game winning streak, at the time a franchise record and the longest in the league for 2011. The team finished with a 27–7 record, best in the WNBA and in team history.
The Lynx earned the top overall seed in the 2011 WNBA Playoffs. In the first round, they defeated the San Antonio Silver Stars two-games-to-one in the best of three series. The Lynx then swept the Phoenix Mercury in two games to win their first conference championship.[10] In the Finals, the Lynx trailed at halftime in each game, but rallied each time to sweep the Atlanta Dream in three games, securing their first WNBA title, and the first professional championship for the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota Twins won the World Series in 1991. Seimone Augustus was named Finals MVP.
Road to more championships (2012–2017)
edit
In 2012, the team began the season 10–0, a franchise and league record.[11] They clinched a playoff berth on August 19, 2012, just 21 games into the season. The team fell to the Indiana Fever in the 2012 WNBA Finals.[12]
The Lynx used both the loss in the Finals and prognosticators' pre-season focus on the Phoenix Mercury's new phenom, Brittney Griner, to motivate themselves for the 2013 season. The Lynx once again had the best record in the West. They completed their comeback, sweeping through the playoffs en route to their second championship in three years, once again defeating the Atlanta Dream.[13] Maya Moore, showing why she's now a superstar in the WNBA, won the 2013 WNBA Finals MVP. In doing so, the Lynx became the second WNBA team and fifth major professional sports franchise to sweep through the postseason.[14]
In 2014, the Lynx again had a successful regular season, claiming the second best record in the league, second only to Griner and the Mercury.[15] However, in the playoffs, the Mercury bested them 2-1 in a three-game series, and the Lynx failed to make the finals for the first time since the 2010 season.[16]
In 2015, two-time Defensive Player of the Year Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky held out of her contract until her wish was granted in July to play for Minnesota.[17] The Lynx would go on to win their third franchise title, all three of them in a five-year span dating back to 2011. Fowles proved herself to be a crucial addition, earning finals MVP honors.[18]
After winning the WNBA title in 2015, the Lynx qualified to the 2016 WNBA Playoffs as the top seed with a franchise record 28–6 finish, only entering in the semi-finals to face the Phoenix Mercury. Due to the _target Center entering a renovation, the team moved to the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, where the Lynx played the 2017 regular season.[19] A sweep of the Mercury qualified the Lynx for their fifth finals in six years, with the adversary being the Los Angeles Sparks. The Lynx would not repeat their title, as the Sparks edged out the Lynx in a five-game series, eventually winning game 5 by 1 point.[20]
On August 18, 2017, the Lynx set two WNBA records in their 111–52 defeat of the Indiana Fever: largest margin of victory (59 points) and longest unanswered scoring run (37 consecutive points).[21] The Lynx finished as the top seed in the league, finishing 27–7. In the semi-finals, the Lynx defeated the Washington Mystics in a three-game sweep to advance to the WNBA Finals for the sixth time in seven years. The Lynx avenged 2016's Finals loss to the Sparks by defeating them in five games to win their fourth championship in seven seasons and tying the now-defunct Houston Comets for most WNBA championship titles.
The end of a dynasty (2018–2022)
edit
In 2018, with back-up point guard Renee Montgomery leaving in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Dream and a now aging roster intact, the Lynx would start falling way short of championship contention. Although Moore, Fowles, Augustus and Brunson made All-Star appearances, the Lynx finished as the number 7 seed in the league with an 18–16 record. This was the first time in 8 years where the Lynx did not finish as a top 2 seed. Lindsay Whalen also announced her retirement prior to the playoffs. The Lynx started off their playoff run against the rival Los Angeles Sparks in the first round elimination game. They lost 75–68, ending their run of three consecutive Finals appearances, and it was Whalen's final career game.[22]
In 2019 and 2020, however, the Lynx would produce players that won WNBA Rookie of the Year with Napheesa Collier and Crystal Dangerfield, respectively.[23][24]
Sylvia Fowles was the last of the Lynx's dynastic five starters (Augustus, Whalen, Moore, Brunson, and Fowles) to retire when she did so after the 2022 season.
Collier era (2023–present)
editNapheesa Collier became the new leader of the Lynx in her fifth season in the league when she returned for the 2023 season and was named the sole captain, the first time Reeve had done so while coaching the Lynx.[25] Reeve told Winsdr about the rebuild around Collier: "“Phee is the epitome of what we want to see. A selfless person, emotionally mature, and handles ups and downs in a way that’s just really impressive... We’re trying to make sure we’re giving her a team that she wants to play with and there’s a clear direction with our team and who we’re putting around her. That’s important to us.”[26]
With their June 11, 2024, win against the Las Vegas Aces in Vegas, the Lynx became the first WNBA team to have all five starting players each score 14+ points, 4+ rebounds, and 1+ 3 pointers.[27]
With a score of 94-89, the Lynx won the 2024 WNBA Commissioner's Cup championship against the Liberty in their June 25, 2024, game playing in New York.[28] Napheesa Collier was named the MVP for the championship.[29] Collier said Bridget Carleton deserved the award for her performance in the game.[29]
The team's 90-80 win against the Indiana Fever on August 24, 2024, clinched a playoff spot for the franchise.[30] The game set a record for the franchise single game regular season attendance with 19,023; this is the second best attendance for any Lynx home game overall, behind only Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals (19,423).[30] The Lynx retired Maya Moore's jersey in a ceremony after the game.
Uniforms
editThe home uniforms are white with blue and silver trim. The team jerseys bear the logo of the team's jersey sponsor, the Mayo Clinic, in blue. The road uniforms are blue with silver and white trim and the sponsor logo written in silver. The Lynx previously used an Adidas uniform that was standard throughout the league, but the WNBA partnered with Nike, Inc. for eight years beginning in 2018.[31][32] The Lynx are also one of 11 WNBA teams sponsored by Verizon, whose logo is also prominently featured on their uniforms.[33]
During the 2016 season, the white uniforms were temporarily replaced by a new silver uniform. This was part of a league-wide initiative for its 20th season, in which all games featured all-color uniform matchups.[34]
In 2021, the WNBA worked with Nike to redesign team uniforms. For the Lynx, this resulted in three versions, dubbed as Heroines, Explorers, and Rebels.[35] The Heroine version was white with blue and green stripes and blue numbers.[36] The Explorer uniform was blue with green and black trim and white numbers.[36] The Rebel edition was black with black stars, white and silver trim, and white numbers. The team was abbreviated to MINN on the front of this jersey, which was inspired by the adjacent legendary music club First Avenue.[36]
In 2023, the team unveiled updated Rebel versions of its uniform, which is black with green trim and white and green letters and numbers.[37] This design includes "Change starts with us" down the side of the jerseys and on the front of the shorts. This refers back to 2016 when the team wore warm ups with that phrase to call for social justice and protest the murders of two Black men by police.[37] The four stripes on the side of the uniforms represent the team's four championships.[38]
Lynx Foundation
editThe Minnesota Lynx Foundation holds an annual "Catwalk for a Cure" event at the Mall of America during the WNBA's Breast Health Awareness Week to raise funds for breast cancer related charities. The 2011 event was held Aug 5 and raised $5,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.[39]
In 2012, the Lynx hosted the Catwalk for a Cure at the Mall of America rotunda for the first time, occupying the largest staging area inside the country's biggest mall. In addition to displaying outfits, Lynx players ended the show with a dance based on the song "Background" by Lecrae and Andy Mineo. The Lynx Foundation donated a $5,000 grant to the SAGE program, run by the Minnesota Department of Health.[40]
During the WNBA's 2013 Breast Health Awareness Week and in partnership with the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation, the Lynx game against the Indiana Fever on August 25 was a "Pink Out" game at _target Center and on August 29, the 5th annual "Catwalk for a Cure" event was held at the Mall of America.[41] The Lynx donated a $10,000 grant to the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation.[42]
Season-by-season records
edit| Season | Team | Conference | Regular season | Playoff results | Head coach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | PCT | ||||||
| Minnesota Lynx | ||||||||
| 1999 | 1999 | West | 5th | 15 | 17 | .469 | Did not qualify | Brian Agler |
| 2000 | 2000 | West | 6th | 15 | 17 | .469 | Did not qualify | Brian Agler |
| 2001 | 2001 | West | 6th | 12 | 20 | .375 | Did not qualify | Brian Agler |
| 2002 | 2002 | West | 8th | 10 | 22 | .313 | Did not qualify | B. Agler (6–13) H. VanDerveer (4–9) |
| 2003 | 2003 | West | 4th | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 1–2) | Suzie McConnell-Serio |
| 2004 | 2004 | West | 3rd | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 0–2) | Suzie McConnell-Serio |
| 2005 | 2005 | West | 6th | 14 | 20 | .412 | Did not qualify | Suzie McConnell-Serio |
| 2006 | 2006 | West | 7th | 10 | 24 | .294 | Did not qualify | S. Mc.-Serio (8–15) C. Jenkins (2–9) |
| 2007 | 2007 | West | 6th | 10 | 24 | .294 | Did not qualify | Don Zierden |
| 2008 | 2008 | West | 6th | 16 | 18 | .471 | Did not qualify | Don Zierden |
| 2009 | 2009 | West | 5th | 14 | 20 | .412 | Did not qualify | Jennifer Gillom |
| 2010 | 2010 | West | 5th | 13 | 21 | .382 | Did not qualify | Cheryl Reeve |
| 2011 | 2011 | West | 1st | 27 | 7 | .794 | Won Conference Semifinals (San Antonio, 2–1) Won Conference Finals (Phoenix, 2–0) Won WNBA Finals (Atlanta, 3–0) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2012 | 2012 | West | 1st | 27 | 7 | .794 | Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 2–1) Won Conference Finals (Los Angeles, 2–0) Lost WNBA Finals (Indiana, 1–3) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2013 | 2013 | West | 1st | 26 | 8 | .765 | Won Conference Semifinals (Seattle, 2–0) Won Conference Finals (Phoenix, 2–0) Won WNBA Finals (Atlanta, 3–0) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2014 | 2014 | West | 2nd | 25 | 9 | .735 | Won Conference Semifinals (San Antonio, 2–0) Lost Conference Finals (Phoenix, 1–2) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2015 | 2015 | West | 1st | 22 | 12 | .647 | Won Conference Semifinals (Los Angeles, 2–1) Won Conference Finals (Phoenix, 2–0) Won WNBA Finals (Indiana, 3–2) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2016 | 2016 | West | 1st | 28 | 6 | .824 | Won Semifinals (Phoenix, 3–0) Lost WNBA Finals (Los Angeles, 2–3) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2017 | 2017 | West | 1st | 27 | 7 | .794 | Won Semifinals (Washington, 3–0) Won WNBA Finals (Los Angeles, 3–2) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2018 | 2018 | West | 4th | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost First Round (Los Angeles, 0–1) | Cheryl Reeve |
| 2019 | 2019 | West | 4th | 18 | 16 | .529 | Lost First Round (Seattle, 0–1) | Cheryl Reeve |
| 2020 | 2020 | West | 4th | 14 | 8 | .636 | Won Second Round (Phoenix 1–0) Lost Semifinals (Seattle, 0–3) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| 2021 | 2021 | West | 2nd | 22 | 10 | .688 | Lost Second Round (Chicago 0–1) | Cheryl Reeve |
| 2022 | 2022 | West | 5th | 14 | 22 | .389 | Did not qualify | Cheryl Reeve |
| 2023 | 2023 | West | 3rd | 19 | 21 | .475 | Lost First Round (Connecticut, 1–2) | Cheryl Reeve |
| 2024 | 2024 | West | 1st | 30 | 10 | .750 | Won First Round (Phoenix, 2–0) Won Semifinals (Connecticut, 3–2) Lost WNBA Finals (New York, 2–3) |
Cheryl Reeve |
| Regular season | 482 | 384 | .550 | 7 Conference Titles | ||||
| Playoffs | 50 | 32 | .610 | 4 WNBA Championships | ||||
Players
editRoster
edit| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WNBA roster page | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other rights owned
edit| Nationality | Name | Years pro | Last played | Drafted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 France
|
Maia Hirsch | 0 | N/A | 2023 |
FIBA Hall of Fame
edit| Minnesota Lynx Hall of Famers | ||||
| Players | ||||
| No. | Name | Position | Tenure | Inducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Teresa Edwards | G | 2003–2004 | 2013 |
Retired numbers
edit| Minnesota Lynx retired numbers | ||||
| No. | Player | Position | Tenure | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Lindsay Whalen | G | 2010–2018 | June 8, 2019 |
| 23 | Maya Moore | F | 2011–2018 | August 24, 2024 |
| 32 | Rebekkah Brunson | PF | 2010–2018 | July 3, 2022 |
| 33 | Seimone Augustus | G | 2006–2019 | May 29, 2022 |
| 34 | Sylvia Fowles | C | 2015–2022 | June 11, 2023 |
Team officials
editOwners
edit- Glen Taylor, owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves (1999–present)
Head coaches
edit| Minnesota Lynx head coaches | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Start | End | Seasons | Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||
| W | L | PCT | G | W | L | PCT | G | ||||
| Brian Agler | November 17, 1998 | July 16, 2002 | 4 | 48 | 67 | .417 | 115 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Heidi VanDerveer | July 16, 2002 | End of 2002 | 1 | 4 | 9 | .308 | 13 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Suzie McConnell Serio | January 21, 2003 | July 23, 2006 | 4 | 58 | 67 | .464 | 125 | 1 | 4 | .200 | 5 |
| Carolyn Jenkins | July 23, 2006 | End of 2006 | 1 | 2 | 9 | .182 | 11 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Don Zierden | December 23, 2006 | June 3, 2009 | 2 | 26 | 42 | .382 | 68 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Jennifer Gillom | June 3, 2009 | End of 2009 | 1 | 14 | 20 | .412 | 34 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 |
| Cheryl Reeve | December 8, 2009 | Current | 15 | 330 | 180 | .647 | 510 | 49 | 28 | .636 | 77 |
President of Basketball Operations
edit- Cheryl Reeve (2022–present)
General managers
edit- Brian Agler (1999–2002)
- Roger Griffith (2003–2017)
- Cheryl Reeve (2018–2022)
- Clare Duwelius (2022–2024)
- vacant (2024-present)
Assistant coaches
edit- Heidi VanDerveer (1999–2001)
- Kelly Kramer (1999–2002)
- Nancy Darsch (2003–2005)
- Carolyn Jenkins (2003–2005, 2007)
- Jim Lewis (2006)
- Susan Yow (2006)
- Teresa Edwards (2007)
- Ed Prohofsky (2007–2008)
- Jennifer Gillom (2008)
- Julie Plank (2008)
- Jim Davis (2009)
- Jim Petersen (2009–2016)
- Shelley Patterson (2010–2019)
- James Wade (2017–2018)
- Walt Hopkins (2017–2019)
- Plenette Pierson (2019–2022)
- Katie Smith (2020–2024)
- Rebekkah Brunson (2020–present)
- Elaine Powell (2023–present)
Statistics
edit| Minnesota Lynx statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2000s
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2010s
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2020s
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Media coverage
editLynx games are broadcast on either Bally Sports North or Bally Sports North Plus.[43] Broadcasters for the Lynx television games are Marney Gellner and Lea B. Olsen. Lynx games are carried on KFAN, and Wendell Epps broadcasts radio games (and iHeartRadio feeds).[44]
Some Lynx games are broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2, Ion Television, CBS, CBS Sports Network and ABC.[45]
All-time notes
editRegular season attendance
edit- A sellout for a basketball game at _target Center is 18,798.
- A sellout for a basketball game at Xcel Energy Center is 17,954.
| Regular season all-time attendance | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Average | High | Low | Sellouts | Total for year | WNBA game average |
| 1999 | 10,494 (5th) | 14,171 | 8,457 | 0 | 167,901 | 10,207 |
| 2000 | 7,290 (12th) | 8,622 | 5,816 | 0 | 116,638 | 9,074 |
| 2001 | 7,538 (11th) | 10,489 | 5,168 | 0 | 120,607 | 9,075 |
| 2002 | 7,819 (11th) | 12,544 | 5,087 | 0 | 125,110 | 9,228 |
| 2003 | 7,074 (12th) | 12,747 | 5,113 | 0 | 120,253 | 8,800 |
| 2004 | 7,418 (11th) | 16,227 | 4,122 | 0 | 126,108 | 8,613 |
| 2005 | 6,673 (12th) | 12,891 | 4,190 | 0 | 113,447 | 8,172 |
| 2006 | 6,442 (12th) | 14,793 | 4,704 | 0 | 109,522 | 7,476 |
| 2007 | 6,971 (12th) | 13,004 | 4,891 | 0 | 118,513 | 7,742 |
| 2008 | 7,057 (12th) | 12,276 | 4,765 | 0 | 119,972 | 7,948 |
| 2009 | 7,537 (9th) | 11,245 | 5,620 | 0 | 128,127 | 8,039 |
| 2010 | 7,622 (8th) | 12,311 | 5,954 | 0 | 129,582 | 7,834 |
| 2011 | 8,447 (6th) | 11,820 | 7,117 | 0 | 143,607 | 7,954 |
| 2012 | 9,683 (2nd) | 15,318 | 7,832 | 0 | 164,617 | 7,453 |
| 2013 | 9,381 (2nd) | 16,404 | 7,913 | 0 | 159,483 | 7,531 |
| 2014 | 9,333 (2nd) | 16,413 | 7,622 | 0 | 158,656 | 7,578 |
| 2015 | 9,364 (2nd) | 17,414 | 7,523 | 0 | 159,189 | 7,184 |
| 2016 | 9,266 (4th) | 16,132 | 7,207 | 0 | 157,523 | 7,655 |
| 2017 | 10,407 (2nd) | 17,834 | 8,033 | 0 | 176,919 | 7,716 |
| 2018 | 10,036 (2nd) | 17,933 | 7,834 | 0 | 170,620 | 6,721 |
| 2019 | 9,069 (3rd) | 17,943 | 8,001 | 0 | 154,179 | 6,535 |
| 2020 | Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was played in Bradenton, Florida without fans.[46][47] | |||||
| 2021 | 2,696 (5th) | 3,634 | 1,934 | 0 | 43,139 | 2,636 |
| 2022 | 7,444 (3rd) | 12,134 | 5,044 | 0 | 133,988 | 5,679 |
| 2023 | 7,777 (4th) | 13,531 | 6,525 | 0 | 155,539 | 6,615 |
| 2024 | 9,292 (7th) | 19,023 | 7,010 | 2 | 185,832 | 9,807 |
Arenas
edit- _target Center 1999–2016, 2018–present
- Williams Arena 2007 one regular season game, 2017 playoffs
- Xcel Energy Center 2016 Semi-final playoffs, 2017 regular season
Draft picks
edit- 1999 Expansion Draft: Brandy Reed (1), Kim Williams (3), Octavia Blue (5), Adia Barnes (7)
- 1999: Tonya Edwards (7), Trisha Fallon (19), Andrea Lloyd (31), Sonja Tate (43), Angie Potthoff (49)
- 2000: Grace Daley (5), Betty Lennox (6), Maylana Martin (10), Marla Brumfield (22), Keitha Dickerson (24), Phylesha Whaley (38), Jana Lichnerova (54), Shanele Stires (56)
- 2001: Svetlana Abrosimova (7), Erin Buescher (23), Tombi Bell (39), Megan Taylor (55)
- 2002: Tamika Williams (6), Lindsey Meder (38), Shárron Francis (54)
- 2003 Miami/Portland Dispersal Draft: Sheri Sam (2)
- 2003: Teresa Edwards (14), Carla Bennett (29)
- 2004 Cleveland Dispersal Draft: Helen Darling (7)
- 2004: Nicole Ohlde (6), Vanessa Hayden (7), Tasha Butts (20), Amber Jacobs (33)
- 2005: Kristen Mann (11), Jacqueline Batteast (17), Monique Bivins (37)
- 2006: Seimone Augustus (1), Shona Thorburn (7), Megan Duffy (31)
- 2007 Charlotte Dispersal Draft: Tangela Smith (2)
- 2007: Noelle Quinn (4), Eshaya Murphy (15), Brooke Smith (23), Kathrin Ress (24)
- 2008: Candice Wiggins (3), Nicky Anosike (16), Charde Houston (30)
- 2009 Houston Dispersal Draft: Roneeka Hodges (4)
- 2009: Renee Montgomery (4), Quanitra Hollingsworth (9), Rashanda McCants (15), Emily Fox (30)
- 2010 Sacramento Dispersal Draft: Rebekkah Brunson (2)
- 2010: Monica Wright (2), Kelsey Griffin (3), Gabriela Marginean (26)
- 2011: Maya Moore (1), Amber Harris (4), Jessica Breland (13), Kachine Alexander (26)
- 2012: Devereaux Peters (3), Damiris Dantas (12), Julie Wojta (18), Kayla Standish (19), Nika Baric (20), Jacki Gemelos (31)
- 2013: Lindsey Moore (12), Sugar Rodgers (14), Chucky Jeffery (24), Waltiea Rolle (36)
- 2014: Tricia Liston (12), Asya Bussie (15), Christina Foggie (24), Asia Taylor (36)
- 2015: Reshanda Gray (16), Shae Kelley (35)
- 2016: Jazmon Gwathmey (14), Bashaara Graves (22), Temi Fagbenle (35)
- 2017: Alexis Jones (12), Lisa Berkani (24), Tahlia Tupaea (36)
- 2018: Ji-Su Park (17), Kahlia Lawrence (24), Carlie Wagner (36)
- 2019: Napheesa Collier (6), Jessica Shepard (16), Natisha Hiedeman (18), Cierra Dillard (20), Kenisha Bell (30)
- 2020: Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (6), Crystal Dangerfield (16)
- 2021: Rennia Davis (9)
- 2022: Kayla Jones (22), Hannah Sjerven (28)
- 2023: Diamond Miller (2), Maïa Hirsch (12), Dorka Juhász (16), Brea Beal (24), Taylor Soule (28)
- 2024: Alissa Pili (8), Kiki Jefferson (31)
All-Stars
edit- 1999: Tonya Edwards
- 2000: Betty Lennox, Katie Smith
- 2001: Katie Smith
- 2002: Katie Smith
- 2003: Katie Smith
- 2004: Katie Smith
- 2005: Katie Smith
- 2006: Seimone Augustus
- 2007: Seimone Augustus
- 2008: No All-Star Game
- 2009: Nicky Anosike, Charde Houston
- 2010: Rebekkah Brunson, Lindsay Whalen
- 2011: Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen
- 2012: No All-Star Game
- 2013: Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen
- 2014: Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen
- 2015: Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen
- 2016: No All-Star Game
- 2017: Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore
- 2018: Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore
- 2019: Napheesa Collier, Sylvia Fowles, Odyssey Sims
- 2020: No All-Star Game
- 2021: Napheesa Collier, Sylvia Fowles
- 2022: Sylvia Fowles
- 2023: Napheesa Collier
- 2024: Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride
Olympians
edit- 2000: Katie Smith, Kristi Harrower (AUS), Annie La Fleur (AUS)
- 2004: Katie Smith, Kristi Harrower (AUS), Nuria Martinez (ESP)
- 2008: Seimone Augustus, Nuria Martinez (ESP)
- 2012: Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Rachel Jarry (AUS), Damiris Dantas (BRA)
- 2016: Anna Cruz (ESP), Seimone Augustus, Sylvia Fowles, Maya Moore, Lindsay Whalen, Rachel Jarry (AUS)
- 2020: Napheesa Collier, Sylvia Fowles, Bridget Carleton (CAN), Natalie Achonwa (CAN)
- 2024: Napheesa Collier, Alanna Smith (AUS), Bridget Carleton (CAN)
Honors and awards
edit- 2000 Rookie of the Year: Betty Lennox
- 2000 All-WNBA Second Team: Katie Smith
- 2000 All-WNBA Second Team: Betty Lennox
- 2001 All-WNBA First Team: Katie Smith
- 2002 All-WNBA Second Team: Katie Smith
- 2003 All-WNBA First Team: Katie Smith
- 2004 Coach of the Year: Suzie McConnell Serio
- 2004 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Teresa Edwards
- 2006 Rookie of the Year: Seimone Augustus
- 2006 All-WNBA Second Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2006 All-Rookie Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2007 All-WNBA Second Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2008 Sixth Woman of the Year: Candice Wiggins
- 2008 All-Rookie Team: Nicky Anosike
- 2008 All-Rookie Team: Candice Wiggins
- 2009 All-Defensive First Team: Nicky Anosike
- 2009 All-Rookie Team: Renee Montgomery
- 2010 All-Defensive Second Team: Rebekkah Brunson
- 2010 All-Rookie Team: Monica Wright
- 2011 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player: Seimone Augustus
- 2011 Rookie of the Year: Maya Moore
- 2011 Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve
- 2011 All-WNBA First Team: Lindsay Whalen
- 2011 All-WNBA Second Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2011 Peak Performer (Assists): Lindsay Whalen
- 2011 All-Defensive First Team: Rebekkah Brunson
- 2011 All-Rookie Team: Maya Moore
- 2012 Peak Performer (Assists): Lindsay Whalen
- 2012 All-WNBA First Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2012 All-WNBA Second Team: Lindsay Whalen
- 2012 All-WNBA Second Team: Maya Moore
- 2013 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player: Maya Moore
- 2013 All-WNBA First Team: Maya Moore
- 2013 All-WNBA First Team: Lindsay Whalen
- 2013 All-WNBA Second Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2013 All-Defensive Second Team: Rebekkah Brunson
- 2014 Most Valuable Player: Maya Moore
- 2014 Peak Performer (Points): Maya Moore
- 2014 All-WNBA First Team: Maya Moore
- 2014 All-WNBA Second Team: Seimone Augustus
- 2014 All-WNBA Second Team: Lindsay Whalen
- 2014 All-Defensive Second Team: Maya Moore
- 2015 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player: Sylvia Fowles
- 2015 All-WNBA First Team: Maya Moore
- 2016 Defensive Player of the Year: Sylvia Fowles
- 2016 Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve
- 2016 All-WNBA First Team: Maya Moore
- 2016 All-WNBA Second Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2016 All-Defensive First Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2017 Most Valuable Player: Sylvia Fowles
- 2017 All-WNBA First Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2017 All-WNBA First Team: Maya Moore
- 2017 All-Defensive First Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2017 All-Defensive Second Team: Rebekkah Brunson
- 2017 All-Defensive Second Team: Maya Moore
- 2017 WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player: Sylvia Fowles
- 2018 All-WNBA Second Team: Maya Moore
- 2018 All-Defensive Second Team: Rebekkah Brunson
- 2018 All-Defensive Second Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2018 Peak Performer (Rebounds): Sylvia Fowles
- 2019 Rookie of the Year: Napheesa Collier
- 2019 All-WNBA Second Team: Odyssey Sims
- 2019 All-Rookie Team: Napheesa Collier
- 2019 Executive of the Year: Cheryl Reeve
- 2020 Rookie of the Year: Crystal Dangerfield
- 2020 Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve
- 2020 All-Rookie Team: Crystal Dangerfield
- 2020 All-WNBA Second Team: Napheesa Collier
- 2020 All-Defensive Second Team: Napheesa Collier
- 2021 Defensive Player of the Year: Sylvia Fowles
- 2021 All-Defensive First Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2021 All-WNBA Second Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2022 Peak Performer (Rebounds): Sylvia Fowles
- 2022 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Sylvia Fowles
- 2022 All-Defensive First Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2022 All-WNBA Second Team: Sylvia Fowles
- 2023 All-Rookie Team: Diamond Miller
- 2023 All-Rookie Team: Dorka Juhász
- 2023 All-WNBA First Team: Napheesa Collier
- 2024 Defensive Player of the Year: Napheesa Collier
- 2024 All-Defensive First Team: Napheesa Collier
- 2024 All-Defensive Second Team: Alanna Smith
- 2024 Coach of the Year: Cheryl Reeve
- 2024 Executive of the Year: Cheryl Reeve
Sylvia Fowles Altruism Award
edit- 2023: Napheesa Collier
- 2024: Bridget Carleton
Notes
edit- ^ The WNBA awarded conference championships to the winners of the Conference Finals in the playoffs from 1998 to 2024.
References
edit- ^ Hansen, Mitchell (August 11, 2017). "Introducing The New Minnesota Lynx Logo". Lynx.WNBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved December 14, 2017.
- ^ "Lynx New Icon Edition Uniforms, Court Design and App Revealed". Lynx.WNBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. April 12, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
All 12 WNBA teams will have two core uniforms. For the Lynx, the Icon Edition colors are primarily the team's Lake Blue, with accents of the Midnight Blue (navy) and Moonlight Grey. The full design and innovation story behind the new Nike WNBA uniforms, as well as the Statement Edition uniforms, will be unveiled in late April.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Reproduction and Usage Guideline Sheet". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ "Lynx: Katie Smith's Milestone". Wnba.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Seimone Augustus Playerfile". WNBA.com. April 30, 1984. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Whalen propels Lynx past short-handed Sky –". Usatoday.com. June 23, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "Maya Moore Playerfile". WNBA.com. June 11, 1989. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Wang, Gene (August 17, 2011). "Maya Moore making an impact on the Minnesota Lynx, WNBA". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 9, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Lynx vs. Mercury WNBA Game Report". WNBA.com. Archived from the original on September 25, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ "Lynx at Mercury Game Info – June 15, 2012". WNBA.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ "2012 WNBA Finals Game 4". WNBA.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ www.wnba.com https://web.archive.org/web/20131011002754/http://www.wnba.com/games/20131010/MINATL/gameinfo.html. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Lynx sweep Dream, win second WNBA title in three seasons". ESPN. October 10, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ "2014 WNBA Standings". WNBA.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ "2014 WNBA Playoffs". WNBA.com. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ Borzi, Pat (September 17, 2015). "After Trade, Sylvia Fowles Helps Lynx Flourish". New York Times. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ "Lynx race past Fever in Game 5 to capture 3rd title in 5 years". ESPN.com. Associated Press. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ Paulsen, Jim (July 21, 2016). "Lynx to play 2017 home games at Xcel Energy Center". StarTribune.com. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ "Lynx Advance To Finals and Complete the Semi-Finals Sweep". WNBA.com. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- ^ "Lynx roar to WNBA history". SwishAppeal.com. August 19, 2017. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
- ^ Borzi, Pat (August 27, 2018). "The Lynx's dynasty is over. So where does the team go from here?". MinnPost. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
- ^ "Minnesota's Napheesa Collier Named 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year". NBA Media Ventures. September 16, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ "Crystal Dangerfield Named WNBA Rookie Of The Year". WNBA.com – Official Site of the WNBA. September 17, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ Horstman, Terry (July 24, 2023). "Napheesa Collier's star keeps rising higher and higher". The Next. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ Hansen, Mitchell (May 12, 2023). "Napheesa Collier: The New Centerpiece of the Minnesota Lynx » Winsidr". Winsidr. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "x.com". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved June 12, 2024.
- ^ "Carleton and Collier lead Minnesota to Commissioner's Cup title with 94-89 win over New York Liberty". MPR News. June 26, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
- ^ a b Women Hooping (June 25, 2024). MVP Napheesa Collier Tries To Give Her Award To Teammate! | WNBA Commissioner's Cup, Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Hansen, Mitchell (August 25, 2024). "Lynx 90, Fever 80: Lynx Extend Streak, Clinch Playoff Berth on Maya Moore Night". Canis Hoopus. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Maury (June 10, 2015). "Nike Lands 8-Year Deal With NBA, WNBA, And D-League For On-Court Apparel". Forbes. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Nike's WNBA Uniforms are Built Specifically for the Game's Elite". Nike, Inc. April 26, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- ^ Lee, Albert (April 12, 2018). "WNBA reveals Nike uniform designs in video". Swish Appeal. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Check Out the New WNBA Uniforms for the Landmark 20th Season". WNBA.com. March 28, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Unveil New Uniforms". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Minnesota Lynx unveil jersey collection for 2021 WNBA season". FOX 9. April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Hallman, Charles (June 22, 2023). "For the Lynx, 'Change Still Starts With Us"". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ Sun, Leo (June 1, 2023). "Minnesota Lynx Unveil 2023 Rebel Edition Jerseys". Canis Hoopus. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ "Lynx: Community". Wnba.com. May 9, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Peden, Mike (August 26, 2012). "4th annual Minnesota Lynx Catwalk for a Cure". Examiner.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ^ "Lynx: Community". Wnba.com. August 1, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ "Lynx Wear Pink For Breast Health Awareness". Wnba.com. August 25, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota Lynx Announce 2021 Broadcast Schedule". Minnesota Lynx. May 13, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
- ^ Ink, Radio (May 15, 2024). "WNBA Fever Brings Minnesota Lynx Back To Radio". Radio Ink. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC". Sports Business. June 18, 2007. Retrieved August 4, 2009.
- ^ "WNBA Announces Plan To Tip Off 2020 Season". WNBA. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
- ^ "WNBA announces plans for 2020 season to start late July in Florida". NBC Sports Washington. June 15, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
External links
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