2021 Minnesota Lynx season

The 2021 WNBA season was the 23rd season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season began on May 14, 2021, versus the Phoenix Mercury.[1]

2021 Minnesota Lynx season
CoachCheryl Reeve
ArenaTarget Center
Attendance2,696 per game
Results
Record22–10 (.688)
Place2nd (Western)
Playoff finish3rd seed, Lost in Second Round to Chicago Sky
Team Leaders
PointsNapheesa Collier – 16.2 ppg
ReboundsSylvia Fowles –10.1 rpg
AssistsLayshia Clarendon – 5.7 apg

The 2021 season brought teams back to their home markets instead of playing in a "Bubble" like they did in the 2020 season. The Lynx returned to Target Center and played in front of limited fans. The Lynx also revealed new jerseys on April 8. Three new jerseys - Heroines, Explorers, and Rebels - were used through the season. Each uniform embodies player and team characteristics – attitude, potential, power, and honors not only our fans, but the community as well. The Rebel jersey is inspired by First Avenue.[2]

The Lynx started the season slowly, losing their first four games. However, they won their last game in May, in overtime, over the Connecticut Sun to finish May 1–4. The team's fortunes turned around in June as they posted a 7–3 record. They won their first two games and last three games of the month, and the middle contained a pattern of alternating losses and wins. In July, the Lynx continued their winning streak from the end of June, winning all four games in July. Their seven game winning streak before the Olympic break catapulted them to a 12–7 record at the break. Coming out of the break, the Lynx won their first game before losing two straight games in Connecticut. After those back to back losses, they won five straight games. The streak was ended on September 8 in Las Vegas. However, the team won its last four games, which included three straight wins against Indiana, who finished last in the league. Their 4–2 August record, combined with a 6–1 September mark saw the Lynx finish 22–10 in third place in the standings. The team also had a remarkable 13–3 home record during the season, tied for second best in the league.

As the third seed in the 2021 WNBA Playoffs, the Lynx earned a bye into the second round, and would host the lowest remaining seed from the first round. The Lynx drew Chicago, the 6th seed as their opponent. Chicago finished the season 16–16 but defeated the Lynx 76–89 in the game to end the Lynx' season.

Transactions edit

WNBA draft edit

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/team/country
19Rennia Davis  United StatesTennessee

Trades/Roster Changes edit

DateDetails
September 10, 2020Signed F Damiris Dantas to a multi-year contract extension.[3]
December 4, 2020Exercised Rookie Contract Options on F Napheesa Collier and Jessica Shepard.[4]
December 18, 2020Renounced the rights to G Katerina Elhotova.[5]
January 3, 2021Extended a Qualifying Offer to F Temi Fagbenle, G Anna Cruz, and G Bridget Carleton.[6]
January 8, 2021Signed G Bridget Carleton to a training-camp contract.[7]
January 13, 2021Extended a Qualifying Offer to F Erica McCall.[8]
February 1, 2021Signed G Kayla McBride and F Natalie Achonwa.[9]
February 6, 2021Signed and Traded F Erica McCall to the Washington Mystics for a 2022 3rd Round Pick.[10]
February 10, 2021Traded F Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to the Seattle Storm for a 2022 1st Round Pick (via the Phoenix Mercury).[11]
February 13, 2021Signed G Linnae Harper to a training-camp contract.[12]
February 15, 2021Signed F Aerial Powers.[13]
Traded G Odyssey Sims, the exclusive negotiating rights to F Temi Fagbenle, Minnesota's own 2022 First Round Pick, and Minnesota's own 2022 Third Round Pick to the Indiana Fever for Indiana's own 2022 Second Round Pick.[14]
April 3, 2021Signed G Mikayla Pivec to a Training Camp contract.[15]
April 16, 2021Signed F Asheika Alexander to a training-camp contract.[16]
April 17, 2021Waived G Lexie Brown.
Signed G Japreece Dean, G Selena Lott, C Mikayla Vaughn, and F Alex Wittinger to training-camp contracts.[17]
April 19, 2021Signed F Rennia Davis[18]
April 29, 2021Waived F Alex Wittinger[19]
May 6, 2021Waived G Japreece Dean[20]
May 10, 2021Waived G Asheika Alexander and C Mikayla Vaughn[21]
May 10, 2021Waived G Linnae Harper[22]
May 13, 2021Waived G Mikayla Pivec and G Selena Lott[23]
Re-Signed G Linnae Harper to Hardship Contract[24]
Temporary Suspend F Napheesa Collier due to Overseas Commitments[25][26]
May 13, 2021Released G Linnae Harper from Hardship Contract[27]
Activated F Napheesa Collier from Temporary Suspension List
May 30, 2021Sign G Layshia Clarendon to a Hardship Contract[28]
June 11, 2021Released G Layshia Clarendon from the Hardship Contract[29]
June 12, 2021Signed G Layshia Clarendon to a Hardship Contract[30]
June 15, 2021Signed F Cierra Burdick to a Hardship Contract[31]
June 20, 2021Released G Layshia Clarendon and F Cierra Burdick from their Hardship Contract[32]
June 21, 2021Re-Sign G Layshia Clarendon to a Hardship Contract[33]
June 28, 2021Waive G Rachel Banham[34]
June 30, 2021Release G Layshia Clarendon from the Hardship Contract[35]
July 2, 2021Sign G Layshia Clarendon[36]
July 5, 2021Sign G Rachel Banham[37]
July 6, 2021Sign F Natasha Mack to a 7-day contract[38]
August 14, 2021Release F Natasha Mack from the 7-day contract[39]
September 10, 2021Signed F/C Jillian Alleyne to a 7-day contract[40]
September 19, 2021Signed F/C Jillian Alleyne to a Rest of Season Contract[41]

Roster edit

2021 Minnesota Lynx roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
F11 Achonwa, Natalie6' 3" (1.91m)195 lb (88kg)1992-11-22Notre Dame6
F/C14 Alleyne, Jillian6' 2" (1.88m)193 lb (88kg)1994-09-8Oregon1
G15 Banham, Rachel5' 9" (1.75m)172 lb (78kg)1993-07-15Minnesota5
G/F6 Carleton, Bridget6' 1" (1.85m)188 lb (85kg)1997-05-22Iowa State2
G7 Clarendon, Layshia  5' 9" (1.75m)153 lb (69kg)1991-05-02California8
F24 Collier, Napheesa6' 2" (1.88m)181 lb (82kg)1996-09-23Connecticut2
G2 Dangerfield, Crystal5' 5" (1.65m)130 lb (59kg)1998-05-11Connecticut1
F12 Dantas, Damiris  6' 3" (1.91m)209 lb (95kg)1992-11-17Brazil6
G/F0 Davis, Rennia  6' 1" (1.85m)170 lb (77kg)1999-02-24TennesseeR
C34 Fowles, Sylvia6' 6" (1.98m)218 lb (99kg)1985-10-06LSU13
G21 McBride, Kayla5' 10" (1.78m)174 lb (79kg)1992-06-25Notre Dame7
G/F3 Powers, Aerial5' 9" (1.75m)169 lb (77kg)07-17-1994Michigan State5
F10 Shepard, Jessica6' 3" (1.91m)175 lb (79kg)1996-09-11Notre Dame1
Head coach
Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)
Assistant coaches
Plenette Pierson (Texas Tech)
Katie Smith (Ohio State)
Rebekkah Brunson (Georgetown)
Athletic trainer
Chuck Barta (Wisconsin-La Crosse)
Assistant trainer
Brandi BlueArm (Mankato)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (IN) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Depth edit

Pos.StarterBench
CSylvia FowlesNatalie Achonwa
Jillian Alleyne
PFDamiris DantasJessica Shepard
SFNapheesa CollierAerial Powers
Bridget Carleton
Rennia Davis
SGKayla McBrideRachel Banham
PGLayshia ClarendonCrystal Dangerfield

Schedule edit

Preseason edit

2021 pre-season game log
May: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1May 1@ AtlantaL 61–69Carleton
Shepard (10)
Shepard
Achonwa
Harper (6)
Japreece Dean (4)Gateway Center Arena
No Fans
0–1
2May 8WashingtonW 79–69Rachel Banham (23)Jessica Shepard (10)Natalie Achonwa (5)Target Center
No Fans
1–1
2021 pre-season schedule
  • The preseason game vs. Atlanta was a scrimmage. The second half gave both teams multiple possessions and was not played like a real game.[42]

Regular season edit

2021 game log
Total: 22–10 (Home: 13–3; Road: 9–7)
May: 1–4 (Home: 1–2; Road: 0–2)
July: 4–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 3–0)
August: 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–2)
September: 6–1 (Home: 4–0; Road: 2–1)
2021 season schedule

Playoffs edit

2021 playoff game log
Total: 0–1
Second round
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Series
1September 26Chicago76–89Aerial Powers (24)Sylvia Fowles (8)Aerial Powers (4)Target Center
4,334
0–1
2021 playoff schedule

Standings edit

#Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xConnecticut Sun266.81312–315–111–59–1
2xLas Vegas Aces248.750211–413–311–56–4
3xMinnesota Lynx2210.688410–513–39–77–3
4xSeattle Storm2111.65659–611–510–68–2
5xPhoenix Mercury1913.59476–97–912–45–5
6xChicago Sky1616.5001010–56–1010–66–4
7xDallas Wings1418.438127–87–97–93–7
8xNew York Liberty1220.375146–97–95–115–5
9eWashington Mystics1220.375147–88–84–124–6
10eLos Angeles Sparks1220.375142–138–84–121–9
11eAtlanta Dream824.250186–94–124–124–6
12eIndiana Fever626.188204–114–122–142–8


Playoffs edit

First round
Sept. 23
Second round
Sept. 26
Semifinals
Sept. 28 – Oct. 8
WNBA Finals
Oct. 10 – Oct. 17
2Las Vegas Aces9691609384
4Seattle Storm805Phoenix Mercury90117877687
5Phoenix Mercury835Phoenix Mercury85OT5Phoenix Mercury7791OT5074
8New York Liberty826Chicago Sky91868680
1Connecticut Sun95798369
3Minnesota Lynx766Chicago Sky1012OT688679
6Chicago Sky816Chicago Sky89
7Dallas Wings64

Note: Teams re-seeded after each round.

Statistics edit

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game RPG Rebounds per game
 APG Assists per game SPG Steals per game BPG Blocks per game PPG Points per game
 FG% Field-goal percentage 3P% 3-point field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage TO Turnovers per game
 PF Fouls per gameTeam leaderLeague leader

Regular Season edit

PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
Napheesa Collier292934.644.125.386.06.63.21.31.316.2
Sylvia Fowles313130.164.00.075.510.11.41.81.816.0
Kayla McBride323231.643.337.991.03.62.30.80.213.7
Aerial Powers14722.142.731.491.73.62.10.40.413.4
Layshia Clarendon212025.751.735.778.43.15.70.60.010.4
Damiris Dantas242023.837.733.375.04.02.30.40.37.7
Crystal Dangerfield311020.138.835.985.72.02.80.70.17.7
Rachel Banham27012.639.537.362.51.21.60.30.15.0
Bridget Carleton321019.340.136.580.02.31.50.80.24.8
Natalie Achonwa21112.042.60.089.32.11.20.60.23.7
Jessica Shepard22010.536.48.375.03.21.70.10.22.0
Jillian Alleyne000.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Rennia Davis000.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

Awards and Milestones edit

RecipientAward/MilestoneDate AwardedReference
Kayla McBride3,000th Career PointJune 17 (vs. Dallas)[43]
Napheesa Collier1,000th Career PointJune 30 (vs. Phoenix)[44]
Sylvia FowlesWestern Conference Player of the WeekJune 28[45]
Napheesa CollierWNBA All-Star SelectionJune 30[46]
Sylvia Fowles
Sylvia FowlesWestern Conference Player of the MonthSeptember 2[47]
WNBA All-Defensive First TeamSeptember 26[48]
WNBA Defensive Player of the Year[49]
All-WNBA Second TeamOctober 15[50]

References edit

  1. ^ "2021 Minnesota Lynx Schedule". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Unveil New Uniforms". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  3. ^ "Lynx Announce Multi-Year Contract Extension with Damiris Dantas". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. September 10, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "WNBA Transaction". wnba.com. WNBA. December 4, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "WNBA Transaction". Wnba.com - Official Site of the Wnba. WNBA. December 18, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "WNBA Transaction". wnba.com. WNBA. January 3, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  7. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Bridget Carleton". wnba.com. WNBA. January 8, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "WNBA Transaction". wnba.com. WNBA. January 13, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  9. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Kayla McBride, Natalie Achonwa". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. February 1, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Acquire 2022 Third-round draft pick in Exchange for Forward Erica McCall". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. February 6, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Lynx trade Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to Seattle for draft pick". startribune.com. WNBA. February 10, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "Lynx Sign Guard Linnae Harper to training-camp contract". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. February 13, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign WNBA Champion Aerial Powers". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. February 15, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  14. ^ "Lynx Acquire 2022 Second-Round Pick For Odyssey Sims and Temi Fagbenle". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. February 15, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Mikayla Pivec". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  16. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign HBCU Alumna Asheika Alexander". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. April 16, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Lynx Complete 2021 Training Camp Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Lynx Sign Rennia Davis". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  19. ^ "Lynx Waive Alex Wittinger". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  20. ^ "Lynx Waive Japreece Dean". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 6, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
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  22. ^ "Lynx Waive Linnae Harper". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 12, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  23. ^ "Lynx Waive Selena Lott and Mikayla Pivec". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  24. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Linnae Harper". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  25. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Finalize 2021 Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  26. ^ "WNBA Transactions 2021". wnba.com. WNBA. May 13, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  27. ^ "fromkurtis Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. May 21, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  28. ^ "Lynx Sign Veteran Guard Layshia Clarendon". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. May 30, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  29. ^ "Lynx Activate Aerial Powers". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  30. ^ "Transactions – Player Movement". acrossthetimeline.com. Across the Timeline. June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  31. ^ "Lynx Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  32. ^ "Lynx Activate Forward Jessica Shepard". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. June 20, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  33. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Layshia Clarendon". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  34. ^ "Lynx Waive Guard Rachel Banham". Minnesota Lynx. June 28, 2021. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  35. ^ "Transactions – Player Movement". acrossthetimeline.com. Across the Timeline. June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  36. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Layshia Clarendon For Remainder Of The Season". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  37. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Rachel Banham". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. July 5, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  38. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Rookie Forward Natasha Mack". Minnesota Lynx. July 6, 2021. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  39. ^ "Lynx Forward Natalie Achonwa Set To Return". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  40. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Forward Jillian Alleyne". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  41. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Forward Jillian Alleyne". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  42. ^ "Dream's Twitter Account Post". twitter.com. Twitter. May 1, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
  43. ^ Minnesota Lynx Twitter. "Love you 3000". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  44. ^ Minnesota Lynx Twitter. "The first 1K". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  45. ^ "Bonner, Fowles Earn Player of the Week Honors (Week 6)". wnba.com. WNBA. June 28, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  46. ^ "Rosters Set for AT&T WNBA All-Star 2021 on July 14". wnba.com. WNBA. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  47. ^ "Kia Players of the Month (August): Jonquel Jones (Eastern) and Sylvia Fowles (Western)". wnba.com. WNBA. September 2, 2021. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
  48. ^ Voepel, Mechelle (September 26, 2021). "Minnesota Lynx star Sylvia Fowles named WNBA Defensive Player of Year for 4th time in career". ESPN. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  49. ^ "Sylvia Fowles Named 2021 Kia WNBA Defensive Player Of The Year". wnba.com. WNBA. September 26, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2021.
  50. ^ "The 2021 All-WNBA First & Second Team Announced". wnba.com. WNBA. October 15, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.

External links edit