The Minnesota Lynx were able to take a bit of a break to rest after a busy end to the month of June, opening up July with just one game over the past week.
Even with just one game and a relatively quiet week on the court, it was still a busy week off the court, including news that Minnesota could be getting some more help here very soon (more on that below) and received some league-wide recognition.
Advertisement
Week in Review
The Lynx’s lone game of the week came last Friday when they traveled east to take on the New York Liberty for the first time this season. Coming off the Commissioner’s Cup win earlier in the week, New York took it to Minnesota to hand the Lynx the road loss.
Even with the loss and the rest of the league playing a bit of a busier schedule than the Lynx, Minnesota still sits atop the WNBA standings at 15-5 overall with a trio of games on the schedule this coming week.
-
Friday, July 3: Liberty 99, Lynx 86
WEEK 8:
OFFRTG: 110.7 (3rd) –
DEFRTG: 98.9 (1st) –
NETRTG: 11.8 (1st) –
eFG%: 53.8 (4th) ↓
FTr: 24.1 (15th) –
TOV%: 17.3 (8th) ↑
OREB%: 34.2 (2nd) –
Advertisement
WEEK 7:
OFFRTG: 110.8 (3rd) ↓
DEFRTG: 97.4 (1st) –
NETRTG: 13.4 (1st) –
eFG%: 54.3 (T-2nd) ↓
FTr: 24.9 (14th) ↑
TOV%: 17.7 (9th) ↓
OREB%: 33.7 (2nd) –
Return of Two Key Players Coming Soon, Miles Banged Up
Since we checked in with you last week, two players who have yet to step on the court this WNBA season made a big step forward to returning to action.
Minnesota announced both Napheesa Collier and Dorka Juhász returned to practice, with Collier battling back from double ankle surgery over the offseason and Juhász recovering from a foot injury suffered overseas.
The Lynx, who are in desperate need for some depth and added production off the bench — and will more so down the stretch of the year — will absolutely welcome both players back with open arms, and both are very close to returning.
Advertisement
Ahead of Monday’s game against Connecticut at Target Center, Juhász was upgraded to probable, putting her in line to return against the Sun. Collier, on the other hand, is still listed as ‘OUT’ but could be back on the floor in the next game or two.
Without Collier and Juhász, the Lynx surprised us all by managing to put together a 15-5 record to sit at the top of the WNBA standings. Now getting both of them back, it should only lead to a continuation of that strong start.
With those two players returning soon, Minnesota rookie guard Olivia Miles found her way on the injury report for the first time of her career, entering Monday’s contest questionable with a right calf injury. Miles suffered that injury in last Friday’s game against New York.
More Awards
With the start of July, that means the WNBA’s June monthly awards were announced over the weekend — and two Lynx were part of those monthly honors.
Advertisement
To start the day, we learned that Miles was named June Rookie of the Month, her second straight such award in the first two months of the season. With the honor, she is the third rookie in Lynx history to earn Rookie of the Month twice (Crystal Dangerfield, Maya Moore). Over the month of June, Miles averaged 21.2 points, 5.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds.
Shortly after, the WNBA announced Cheryl Reeve had been named WNBA Coach of the Month for June. Reeve, who has done a remarkable job with this roster after an offseason that saw a heavy shakeup in roster moves, earned the monthly award for the first time this season. Reeve has now earned the honor four times in her career, most recently doing so in July 2025.
Reeve on the Verge of History
A little over a week after she entered the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, Reeve has the chance to make history on Monday right at home in Minneapolis.
Advertisement
Reeve, who currently sits tied with former WNBA coach Mike Thibault with the all-time record of 379 regular season wins, is just one win away from setting the record and being the lone coach at the top of that wins list.
Though the Lynx weren’t able to get it done for their coach in New York, what a better way to help Reeve make history by doing it in front of the Lynx faithful at Target Center?
