Cheryl Reeve goes off on ‘terrible’ Lynx defense in loss to Sparks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Minnesota Lynx‘s 1o-game winning streak was snapped on Thursday after they were shocked by the Los Angeles Sparks, 89-82, at Target Center.
Advertisement
The Lynx disappeared in the fourth quarter, as they were outscored by the Sparks, 23-11. Minnesota fell to 25-7, while Los Angeles improved to 12-18.
The Lynx entered the game with supreme confidence due to their hot stretch, which coincided with the return of Napheesa Collier from her ankle injury. But they were lackluster against the Sparks, who shot 50% from the field, including 38% from three-point distance.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
After the game, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve did not mince her words on her players’ poor defense.
“Every player at every position was terrible. Every player that played in the game, at every position,” said Reeve in the video posted by Underdog WNBA.
Before the contest, the Lynx allowed only 83.4 points per game, third-lowest in the league behind the Golden State Valkyries and the Washington Mystics.
Advertisement
Minnesota failed to score in the last five minutes of the game, but Reeve stressed that it was their non-existent defense that did them in.
“We lost our game because we didn’t play any f****** defense. So if you want to talk about offense, you sound like the players,” rued the four-time Coach of the Year in a video posted by Sports Illustrated’s Andrew Dukowitz.
The Lynx let the Sparks dominate the shaded lane. Los Angeles, powered by Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby, and Cameron Brink, outscored Minnesota in points in the paint, 46-28.
Olivia Miles had 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Collier collected 21 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
Advertisement
The starters scored 79 of their 82 points.
The Lynx will face the Las Vegas Aces on Saturday.
Related: What Sue Bird said about Olivia Miles’ Team USA FIBA World Cup roster snub
Related: Is Lynx’s Olivia Miles joining Napheesa Collier on FIBA World Cup roster?
