Is It Time to Worry About the No. 1-Seed Minnesota Lynx?

The Minnesota Lynx secured the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs, but the timing of their latest slump has created plenty of questions. Minnesota needed one win over the Indiana Fever on Tuesday to lock up the top spot. Instead, the Lynx suffered a 96-77 loss and looked out of rhythm for much of the night.

The result did not cost Minnesota the top seed because the Golden State Valkyries also lost to the Portland Fire. Still, clinching the No. 1 position after a heavy defeat does not erase the concerns surrounding the team’s recent performances.

A Rough Night Against Indiana

Minnesota struggled in several areas that usually help separate the team from its opponents. The Lynx lost the rebounding battle 39-32 and committed 17 turnovers. Those mistakes directly produced 21 points for Indiana.

The Fever also controlled the paint, winning that scoring battle by 10 points. Minnesota never found a consistent response, and the game quickly moved out of reach.

Head coach Cheryl Reeve made a notable decision in the second half. She benched the starting group, with the exception of Maya Caldwell. Caldwell had entered the starting lineup after Olivia Miles became a late scratch because of a left calf issue.

Reeve’s decision reflected how poorly the starters performed. It also showed how quickly the game had slipped away. For a team preparing for the postseason, that kind of performance can draw attention even when the final standings remain favorable.

The Lynx have gone 6-4 over their last 10 games. That record stands out because every other playoff team except the No. 8-seed New York Liberty has posted a better mark during the same stretch.

Minnesota still finished the regular season with the league’s top seed, but its recent results look different from the dominant run that put the team in that position.

The timing makes the situation more interesting. There is little room left for experimentation before the playoffs begin, and Minnesota needs its key players operating at their best.

Napheesa Collier Still Needs Time

Napheesa Collier’s return was expected to strengthen an already elite Lynx roster. Instead, her comeback has come with some adjustment.

Minnesota has gone 10-5 with Collier in the lineup. The team has won 66% of those games, below its overall 74% winning rate for the season.

Collier is averaging 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Those numbers remain strong by most standards. However, they represent a noticeable drop from her usual production.

The last time Collier averaged fewer than 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists across a season was 2022, when she played only four games because of maternity leave.

There is a clear reason to consider the circumstances. Collier underwent surgery on both ankles during the offseason. Returning during the middle of a demanding WNBA season does not guarantee an immediate return to her previous level.

Now, though, the playoffs are approaching. Minnesota will need Collier to become more comfortable within the team’s current rotation and regain as much of her previous impact as possible.

Olivia Miles Faces Another Challenge

Olivia Miles has been one of Minnesota’s most impressive rookies. She quickly looked comfortable against WNBA competition and has produced at a level that has placed her among the league’s notable guards.

Her recent stretch, however, has been less consistent.

Instagram | @minnesotalynx | The Minnesota Lynx can use home-court advantage, better health, and sharper execution to make a strong playoff push.

Miles scored eight points against the Valkyries while shooting 3-for-12 from the field and recording five assists. Earlier in August against the Fire, she scored 13 points while making only three of 13 shots.

That drop may be connected to workload. Miles has been playing basketball for more than a year when her final collegiate season is included. Even the FIBA break did not provide much relief from the physical demands placed on her body.

Miles also missed Minnesota’s latest game because of the calf issue. With the Lynx already having secured the No. 1 seed, additional rest before the playoffs could give her valuable recovery time.

Is Minnesota Really in Trouble?

The Lynx still hold several major advantages heading into the postseason. They have the No. 1 seed, home-court advantage and two important players in Collier and Miles who could have more time to recover.

They also have Reeve, who has won more games than any other head coach in WNBA history.

The recent 6-4 stretch does not erase Minnesota’s full-season record, but it does show that the team has more work to do before the playoffs. Turnovers, rebounding and inconsistent shooting have all surfaced at a time when every possession carries greater weight.

The final regular-season meeting with Indiana also gives Minnesota little reason to push its key players unnecessarily. With the top seed already secured, health and rhythm can take priority.

The Lynx will enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, despite a 96-77 loss to Indiana that highlighted issues with turnovers, rebounding and offensive execution. Collier is still regaining her form, while Miles has faced the physical demands of a long rookie season.

With the top seed secured, Minnesota can use the remaining time to rest its key players and prepare for the postseason. The playoffs will reveal whether the recent dip was simply a rough stretch or a sign of larger concerns.