2022 Minnesota Lynx season

The 2022 WNBA season is the current and 24th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association. The season began on May 6, 2022, versus the Seattle Storm.[1]

2022 Minnesota Lynx season
CoachCheryl Reeve
ArenaTarget Center
Attendance7,444 per game
Results
Record14–22 (.389)
Place5th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Team Leaders
PointsSylvia Fowles
Aerial Powers – 14.4 ppg
ReboundsSylvia Fowles – 9.8 rpg
AssistsMoriah Jefferson – 4.9 apg
Media
TelevisionBally Sports North
ESPN
ESPN2
ABC
NBA TV
CBS Sports Network
Amazon Prime
Facebook

On November 28, 2021, Napheesa Collier announced her pregnancy with an announcement in People Magazine. Collier stated, "“I am very excited to start a family with my fiancé Alex. Having a child is truly a beautiful journey and I am grateful to have the support of our families, friends and the Lynx as I begin this special chapter of motherhood.”[2] On December 8, 2021, Cheryl Reeve was named the new United States women's national basketball team head coach for the 2021-2024 cycle.[3]

On February 1, 2022, the Lynx opened free agency and re-signed Sylvia Fowles to a one-year deal. Fowles also announced at this time that this season would be her last and she would be retiring following the 2022 season.[4]

The Lynx struggled to start the season, losing their first four games and only winning two games in the first month of the season. They finished May 2–7 overall. Their struggles continued into June as they won only one of the first seven games in the month and went on a five game losing streak. However, their fortunes improved at the end of the month as they won three of their last four games to finish the month 4–7. The momentum carried over into July and the Lynx won four of their first six games, but then only won two of their last five games to finish the season 6–5. A better August might have seen the Lynx qualify for the playoffs, but they finished the month 2–3, which left them one game out of the eighth and final playoff spot. This was the first time since 2010, the Lynx missed the playoffs and had a sub-.500 record. This ended the WNBA’s longest active playoff streak at 12 straight years.

Moriah Jefferson recorded the first-ever triple-double in Lynx history on June 28, 2022. She had 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 92–64 victory over her former team, the Dallas Wings. The 10 assists were also a career-high for Jefferson.[5]

Napheesa Collier returned to the court on August 7, 2022, just 10 and half weeks after giving birth to her daughter. She finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in the game.[6]

Transactions edit

WNBA draft edit

RoundPickPlayerNationalitySchool/team/country
222Kayla Jones  United StatesNC State
328Hannah Sjerven  United StatesSouth Dakota

Trades and Roster Changes edit

DateTransaction
January 3, 2022Extended Qualifying Offers to Anna Cruz and Bridget Carleton[7]
January 4, 2022Signed Bridget Carleton to a Qualifying Offer[8]
January 12, 2022Promoted Katie Smith to Associate head coach[9]
February 1, 2022Re-signed Sylvia Fowles to a One-Year Deal[10]
February 2, 2022Signed Angel McCoughtry to a One-Year Deal[11][12]
February 8, 2022Signed Layshia Clarendon to a One-Year Deal[13]
Signed Rachel Banham to a training-camp contract[14]
February 18, 2022Signed Yvonne Turner and Natasha Mack to training-camp contracts[15]
April 10, 2022Traded the #8 and #13 picks in the 2022 WNBA draft to the Las Vegas Aces in exchange for a First and a Second Round Pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft[16]
April 13, 2022Signed Kayla Jones and Hannah Sjerven to rookie-scale contracts
Signed Chloe Bibby, CeCe Hooks, and Moon Ursin to training-camp contracts[17]
April 15, 2022Waived Natasha Mack[18]
April 28, 2022Waived CeCe Hooks[19]
May 2, 2022Signed Napheesa Collier to a Multi-Year Extension[20]
Waived Chloe Bibby and Moon Ursin[21]
May 3, 2022Signed Odyssey Sims to a training-camp contract
Waived Layshia Clarendon, Crystal Dangerfield, Yvonne Turner, Rennia Davis, Hannah Sjerven, and Kayla Jones[22]
May 5, 2022Temporarily Suspend Kayla McBride due to Overseas Commitments
May 6, 2022Signed Yvonne Turner and Nina Milić[23]
May 10, 2022Signed Rennia Davis to a Hardship Contract
May 12, 2022Waived Angel McCoughtry and Odyssey Sims[24]
Released Rennia Davis, Nikolina Milić, and Yvonne Turner from their Hardship Contracts[25]
May 13, 2022Signed Moriah Jefferson and Evina Westbrook
Signed Yvonne Turner, Nikolina Milić, and Hannah Sjerven to Hardship Contracts[26]
May 16, 2022Signed Jessica Shepard to a Multi-Year Contract Extension[27]
Activated Kayla McBride from her Temporary Suspension
Released Yvonne Turner from her Hardship Contract[28]
May 22, 2022Released Hannah Sjerven from her Hardship Contract[29]
May 31, 2022Signed Elissa Cunane to a Hardship Contract[30]
June 1, 2022Signed Kamiah Smalls to a Hardship Contract[31]
June 9, 2022Released Kamiah Smalls from her Hardship Contract
June 21, 2022Released Elissa Cunane from her Hardship Contract[32]
June 23, 2022Released Nikolina Milić from her Hardship Contract[33]
June 24, 2022Waived Evina Westbrook[34]
June 26, 2022Signed Nikolina Milić to a 7-day contract[35]
July 3, 2022Signed Nikolina Milić to a 2nd 7-day contract[36]
July 11, 2022Signed Nikolina Milić to a 3rd 7-day contract[37]
July 19, 2022Signed Nikolina Milić to a Hardship Contract[38]
July 21, 2022Signed Lindsay Allen to a 7-Day Hardship Contract[39]
July 28, 2022Signed Lindsay Allen to a 2nd 7-Day Hardship Contract[40]
August 7, 2022Signed Lindsay Allen to a 3rd 7-Day Hardship Contract[41]
Signed Nikolina Milić to a Hardship Contract
August 9, 2022Released Nikolina Milić and Lindsay Allen from their Hardship Contracts
August 10, 2022Signed Lindsay Allen to a Hardship Contract[42]

Roster edit

2022 Minnesota Lynx roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
F11 Achonwa, Natalie6' 3" (1.91m)198 lb (90kg)1992-11-22Notre Dame7
G2 Allen, Lindsay5' 8" (1.73m)144 lb (65kg)03-20-1995Notre Dame4
G15 Banham, Rachel5' 9" (1.75m)175 lb (79kg)1993-07-15Minnesota6
G/F6 Carleton, Bridget6' 1" (1.85m)190 lb (86kg)1997-05-22Iowa State3
F24 Collier, Napheesa6' 2" (1.88m)182 lb (83kg)1996-09-23Connecticut3
F12 Dantas, Damiris (inactive)6' 3" (1.91m)212 lb (96kg)1992-11-17Brazil7
C34 Fowles, Sylvia6' 6" (1.98m)219 lb (99kg)1985-10-06LSU14
G4 Jefferson, Moriah5' 6" (1.68m)123 lb (56kg)1994-03-08Connecticut5
G21 McBride, Kayla5' 10" (1.78m)184 lb (83kg)1992-06-25Notre Dame8
F31 Milić, Nikolina6' 3" (1.91m)172 lb (78kg)04-12-1994SerbiaR
G/F3 Powers, Aerial5' 9" (1.75m)166 lb (75kg)1994-07-17Michigan State6
F10 Shepard, Jessica6' 3" (1.91m)184 lb (83kg)1996-09-11Notre Dame2
Head coach
Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)
Assistant coaches
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
PFJessica ShepardNikolina Milić
Damiris Dantas (inactive)
SFNapheesa CollierAerial Powers
Bridget Carleton
SGKayla McBrideRachel Banham
PGMoriah JeffersonLindsay Allen

Schedule edit

Preseason edit

2022 pre-season game log
Total: 1–1 (Home:1–0; Road: 0–1)
April: 0–1 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
1April 27@ WashingtonL 66–78Sylvia Fowles (16)Sylvia Fowles (8)Achonwa
Turner (2)
Entertainment and Sports Arena
3,220
0–1
May: 1–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
2May 1Las VegasW 89–86Yvonne Turner (15)Rennia Davis (13)Clarendon
Turner
Shepard (3)
Target Center
N/A
1–1
2022 pre-season schedule

Regular Season edit

2022 game log
Total: 14–22 (Home: 7–11; Road: 7–11)
August: 2–3 (Home: 1–1; Road: 1–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation
Attendance
Record
32August 3@ SeattleL 77–89Nikolina Milić (13)Fowles
Milić (6)
Natalie Achonwa (6)Climate Pledge Arena
13,500
12–20
33August 7AtlantaW 81–71Kayla McBride (20)Sylvia Fowles (8)Jefferson
McBride (6)
Target Center
9,421
13–20
34August 10@ PhoenixW 86–77Kayla McBride (18)Jessica Shepard (12)Moriah Jefferson (12)Footprint Center
7,307
14–20
35August 12SeattleL 69–96Aerial Powers (18)Sylvia Fowles (12)L. Allen
McBride (3)
Target Center
12,134
14–21
36August 14@ ConnecticutL 83–90Lindsay Allen (26)Sylvia Fowles (12)Lindsay Allen (6)Mohegan Sun Arena
7,489
14–22
2022 season schedule

Standings edit

# W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1xLas Vegas Aces2610.72215–313–513–59–1
2xChicago Sky2610.72215–314–412–69–1
3xConnecticut Sun2511.6941.011–713–512–65–5
4xSeattle Storm2214.6114.010–813–59–96–4
5xWashington Mystics2214.6114.011–712–610–85–5
6xDallas Wings1818.5008.08–108–1010–85–5
7xNew York Liberty1620.44410.010–89–97–116–4
8xPhoenix Mercury1521.41711.07–1111–74–143–7
9eMinnesota Lynx1422.38912.08–107–117–114–6
10eAtlanta Dream1422.38912.05–138–106–123–7
11eLos Angeles Sparks1323.36113.06–127–116–123–7
12eIndiana Fever531.13921.02–163–152–162–8

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
Sylvia Fowles303027.7.622.000.6609.81.21.01.214.4
Aerial Powers353126.9.385.308.8154.72.91.20.314.4
Kayla McBride313129.8.405.356.9092.82.11.00.113.3
Moriah Jefferson303026.8.452.474.8152.54.91.20.110.8
Odyssey Sims2027.0.304.250.4443.53.50.51.09.5
Jessica Shepard362226.1.500.250.7347.43.00.40.38.1
Rachel Banham36517.5.430.383.8001.32.30.30.17.9
Napheesa Collier4422.8.423.286.7143.01.00.50.37.3
Lindsay Allen9014.9.526.571.9231.63.40.20.06.7
Yvonne Turner4222.0.308.429.8572.52.50.50.06.3
Nikolina Milić31411.7.548.273.7383.00.70.30.36.0
Angel McCoughtry2210.0.375.0001.0003.01.00.51.06.0
Natalie Achonwa22015.1.304.262.8154.11.70.40.35.3
Damiris Dantas151517.5.304.262.8333.81.90.20.15.1
Bridget Carleton36216.8.403.354.7312.11.10.40.14.3
Evina Westbrook14212.4.318.143.6671.41.40.40.42.6
Rennia Davis103.01.000.000.0000.00.00.00.02.0
Kamiah Smalls3011.3.250.000.0001.72.01.30.01.3
Elissa Cunane303.3.500.000.0001.70.00.00.00.7
Hannah Sjerven303.0.000.000.0000.00.00.00.30.0


Waived/Released during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

Awards and honors edit

RecipientAward/MilestoneDate AwardedReference
Sylvia FowlesWNBA All-Star Starter & Co-CaptainJune 22[43]
Peak Performer:ReboundsAugust 15[44]
Kim Perrot Sportsmanship AwardAugust 19[45]
All-Defensive First TeamAugust 30[46]
All-WNBA Second TeamSeptember 15[47]
Aerial PowersWestern Conference Player of the WeekJuly 8[48]

References edit

  1. ^ "Minnesota Lynx to Open 2022 Regular Season on May 6 at Seattle". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  2. ^ "Minnesota Lynx and Forward Napheesa Collier Joint Statement". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  3. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve Named 2021-24 USA Basketball Women's National Team Head Coach". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Two-Time WNBA Champion and Finals MVP Sylvia Fowles". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  5. ^ "Jefferson has Lynx's first triple-double in win over Wings". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Maloney, Jack. "Napheesa Collier returns from maternity leave to make season debut in Lynx's important win over Dream". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  7. ^ "Rachel Galligan Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Bridget Carleton". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  9. ^ "Katie Smith Promoted to Lynx Associate head coach". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  10. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  11. ^ "Lynx Sign Five-Time All-Star Angel McCoughtry". lynx.wnba.com. Lynx PR. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  12. ^ "Richard Cohen Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  13. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guards Layshia Clarendon and Rachel Banham". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  14. ^ "Richard Cohen Tweet". twitter.com. Twitter. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  15. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Yvonne Turner and Natasha Mack". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  16. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Acquire 2023 First and Second-Round Picks". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
  17. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Complete 2022 Training Camp Roster". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Waive Natasha Mack". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Waive Cece Hooks". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  20. ^ "Lynx Sign Napheesa Collier to Multi-Year Contract Extension". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "Lynx Waive Chloe Bibby and Moon Ursin". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  22. ^ "Lynx Sign Guard Odyssey Sims". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  23. ^ "Lynx Sign Yvonne Turner and Nikolina Milić". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lynx Agree To Contract Buyout With Angel McCoughtry". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  25. ^ "Lynx Roster Transaction Updates".
  26. ^ "Lynx Sign Moriah Jefferson and Evina Westbrook". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  27. ^ "Lynx Sign Jessica Shepard to Multi-Year Contract Extension". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  28. ^ "Lynx Activate Kayla McBride". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  29. ^ "Natalie Achonwa Cleared To Return". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  30. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Injury Updates". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  31. ^ "Lynx Sign Kamiah Smalls". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  32. ^ "Natalie Achonwa Cleared To Return". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  33. ^ "Sylvia Fowles Cleared To Return". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  34. ^ "Lynx Waive Guard Evina Westbrook". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  35. ^ "Lynx Sign Forward Nikolina Milić". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  36. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Forward Nikolina Milić". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  37. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Forward Nikolina Milic". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  38. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Forward Nikolina Milic". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  39. ^ "Lynx Sign Guard Lindsay Allen". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  40. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Lindsay Allen". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved July 31, 2022.
  41. ^ "Lynx Re-Sign Guard Lindsay Allen". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  42. ^ "Lynx Guard Aerial Powers Cleared To Play". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  43. ^ "AT&T WNBA All-Star Starters Announced With Seattle Storm's Sue Bird Extending Record-Number of All-Star Selections to 13". wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  44. ^ @WNBA (August 15, 2022). "THE BEST OF THE BEST 👏 Congratulations to @breannastewart, @SylviaFowles, and @T_Cloud4 for being named the 2022 WNBA Peak Performers 🙌 #MoreThan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Minnesota Lynx' Sylvia Fowles Wins 2022 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award". wnba.com. WNBA. August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  46. ^ @WNBA (August 30, 2022). "Your 2022 #WNBA All-Defensive First Team ⬇️ @_ajawilson22 @T_Cloud4 @SylviaFowles @breannastewart @arielatkinssvn #MoreThan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  47. ^ "Kia WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson Leads 2022 All-WNBA First Team" (Press release). WNBA. September 15, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  48. ^ @minnesotalynx (July 8, 2022). "FIRST CAREER PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD 👏" (Tweet) – via Twitter.

External links edit