INDIANAPOLIS — With a chance to clinch the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs on the line and Olivia Miles a late scratch because of a left calf injury, Cheryl Reeve emptied the Lynx bench in a 96-77 loss to the Indiana Fever on Tuesday.
Oh, the sweet taste of victory was nowhere to be found for the Minnesota Lynx as they faced off against the Indiana Fever in a game that was more of a horror show than a basketball match. The Fever, led by the dynamic duo of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, rolled over the Lynx with a decisive 96-77 victory that left Lynx fans wondering if they accidentally tuned into a rerun of last season’s blooper reel.
Let’s talk about Caitlin Clark for a moment. The superstar scored an impressive 27 points, dishing out nine assists and snagging seven rebounds like it was just another Tuesday night at the office. Meanwhile, Kelsey Mitchell was no slouch either, adding 20 points to her single-season scoring record. If the Fever were trying to send a message, it was received loud and clear: they are not to be trifled with, especially when playoff hopes are on the line.
On the flip side, the Lynx were missing a key player, rookie Olivia Miles, who was sidelined with a calf injury. While injuries are part of the game, it’s hard not to feel like the Lynx could have used a little extra firepower when going up against a team that was hungry for a win. Without Miles, the Lynx starters seemed to be struggling more than a cat trying to swim—definitely not their finest hour.
As the game progressed, it became painfully obvious that the Lynx were not in sync. The Fever took advantage of every opportunity, showcasing their skill and teamwork while the Lynx seemed to be playing a game of ‘who can miss the most shots.’ Spoiler alert: the Lynx won that game, but not in a way that anyone would want to be proud of.
Now, let’s not forget that this loss didn’t just mean a dent in the Lynx’s ego; it also prevented them from officially clinching the top seed in the playoffs. Talk about a win-win for the Fever, who kept their hopes alive while simultaneously putting the Lynx’s playoff dreams on hold. The irony is almost delicious.
Looking ahead, the Lynx will have a chance to redeem themselves when they face the Fever again on Thursday in Minneapolis. One can only hope they’ve been practicing their shots and maybe even working on their teamwork. Because if they don’t, we might be in for another round of ‘how not to play basketball.’
In conclusion, the Lynx need to shake off this loss faster than a wet dog shakes off water. With the playoffs looming, they can’t afford to let a blowout loss define their season. Here’s to hoping they come back stronger, more coordinated, and ready to show the Fever that they can indeed be a force to be reckoned with. Until then, let’s just try to forget this game ever happened, shall we?
Inspired by: “Lynx starters struggle in blowout loss vs. Fever” (r/Local)