The Minnesota Lynx are entering the regular season with a chip on their shoulder, particularly after surprising the league by finishing as the second seed and earning a spot in the 2024 WNBA Finals. With the returning core of their starters and additions to the coaching staff, the team is ready to run it back.
How the Lynx Have a Chip on Their Shoulders
The Minnesota Lynx are heading into the new season with determination, particularly after losing to the New York Liberty in last year’s WNBA Finals, which went to five games, and included overtime in Game 5.
One thing the team possesses is a chip on its shoulders as it aims to return to the WNBA Finals with expectations of winning the championship this season, especially with Lindsay Whalen’s return as an assistant coach and Eric Thibault’s addition to Cheryl Reeve’s coaching staff.
“It put that chip on our shoulder, right?” Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams said Saturday. “We know what it takes to get there and lose in the final game. We know we’ve got to do, and that’s what we bring in every day, and we stack in our days, and we’re not taking any shortcuts, because that’s where we want to be again. We want to get over that hump this year. Just keeping that chip on our shoulder.”
Over the years in the WNBA, teams that lost in Game 5 of the Finals have successfully bounced back to win a championship the following season. For example, the 2008 Detroit Shock (now the Dallas Wings) claimed the title after losing to the Phoenix Mercury the previous year. Similarly, the 2017 Minnesota Lynx avenged their defeat against the Los Angeles Sparks, who had narrowly beaten them in the final moments of Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals.
Napheesa Collier Emerges as a Leading MVP Candidate Ahead of the WNBA Season
Forward Napheesa Collier had a season worthy of MVP recognition for the Lynx last year, earning the Defensive Player of the Year award. She made significant contributions in the WNBA Playoffs by breaking records previously held by Tamika Catchings and Diana Taurasi for the most steals, blocks, and points scored in a single postseason.
Additionally, Collier made history by becoming the first player to achieve 20 or more points, eight or more rebounds, six or more blocks, and three or more steals in a playoff game. Now, she and Williams are eager to continue their success from the Lynx’s impressive run in the finals and build momentum for the upcoming season.
As the Minnesota Lynx enter a new season with determination, especially after being so close to winning it all in the 2024 WNBA Finals, they are eager to build on the momentum they established from last season.
Jessica Shepard’s Return to the Team
The Lynx are happy to see the return of forward Jessica Shepard, who was selected at 16th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by Minnesota, after missing the last season.
The team has missed her impact on both ends of the court and is ready to experiment with the frontcourt duo of Shepard and forward Alanna Smith, who joined the Lynx last year after having her breakout season with the Chicago Sky in 2023.
“I would say I’m a more mature player now,” Shepard told the media Friday. “I’ve played a lot of basketball since I played here last, so I think that’s the biggest thing. All around, I think I’m a better player.”
Collier has played alongside and against Shepard since their rivalry days between UConn and Notre Dame, as well as during their rookie seasons. She and Williams have said that Shepard makes everyone feel good on the court.
“I’ve always loved playing with Jess,” Collier said Saturday. “I played with her my whole career, played against her a lot of my college career. So, it’s been fun. Jess is such a smart player, like Courtney (Williams) said, when she’s out there, it’s fun (and) makes everyone else look good. She’s one of those players who helps everybody else look good.”
During the Lynx’s preseason win over the Chicago Sky, Shepard almost had a triple-double of 10 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 62.5 percent from the field in 23 minutes of play.
“She only played 23 minutes and almost got a triple-double that you’re speaking of,” Reeve said. “Jess is a very confident offensive player, very smart as you saw with her passing, and defensively it’s a tough assignment.”
Shepard is recognized for her physicality and toughness in the paint as a forward. The Lynx are excited to welcome her back, as they missed her impact this past season.
What Karlie Samuelson Will Bring to Minnesota
The Minnesota Lynx brought in guard Karlie Samuelson through a trade with the Washington Mystics on the day of the 2025 WNBA Draft. Samuelson is known for her ability to make three-pointers and contributions on both ends of the court.
Throughout her career, she moved between different teams across the league on seven-day and hardship contracts from 2018 to 2023, before agreeing to a two-year deal with the Washington Mystics in 2024
“She’s very much like the others, she’s a pleaser and stresses out about doing things the right way,” Reeve said. “So hopefully these games and putting her out there and her being in that space, now she can settle in.”
After replacing Cecelia Zandalasini, who was selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft earlier this offseason, the Lynx are optimistic about adding Samuelson’s presence and her three-point shooting to the mix in their bench rotation.
Dorka Juhasz to miss the 2025 WNBA Season
The Minnesota Lynx announced on Sunday that forward Dorka Juhasz will miss the 2025 WNBA season. She is currently playing for the Famila Schio of Italy and is competing in the Italian league finals with the team.
Throughout her first two seasons with the Lynx, Juhasz was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team along with her teammate, guard Diamond Miller, in 2023, and was selected at 16th overall in the same year out of UConn. She also appeared in 72 games and averaged 5.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for Minnesota.
Although the team will miss Juhasz’s size, shooting ability, skilled passing, and rebounding, the Lynx are hopeful that Shepard and French center Marieme Badiane will replace her throughout the season.
“I mean you find out just before the season, it’s obviously an unfortunate situation but you know, players make choices,” Reeve told the media after practice Monday. “(We’ll) deal with the hand.”
What’s Next for the Lynx After the Preseason
The Minnesota Lynx finish the preseason 1-1 after facing the Chicago Sky in both of the games. Collier believes that the team will continue to develop their chemistry and that the timing of finding themselves is enjoyable.
“To continue to build our chemistry,” Collier said. “We’re looking more like ourselves, feeling good on the court (and) clicking a lot more. We just need to clean up the little things like we’re talking about—We’re clicking more, but it’s a new season. We’re finding ourselves again, and it’s really fun. I’m glad it’s happening in preseason, because we’ve already feel like, you know, we’re there again.”
Reeve provided updates on guard Kayla McBride, who missed both preseason games due to personal reasons and stated that “everything’s fine.” McBride also spent this past offseason playing in the inaugural season of Unrivaled for Laces BC and overseas in Euroleague Women for Fenerbahce.
McBride has made a significant impact on the Minnesota Lynx since joining the team during the 2021 WNBA offseason. Prior to that, she spent the first seven years of her professional career with the Las Vegas Aces. Known for her exceptional three-point shooting and overall skills, she brings a versatile game to the Lynx.
The Minnesota Lynx will begin their revenge tour on Friday, May 16, as they travel to Dallas to take on Minnesota native and first overall pick in this year’s draft, Paige Bueckers, and the Wings.
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