The 2021 Minnesota Lynx 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.
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.
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
WNBA draft
Round Pick Player Nationality School/team/country 1 9 Rennia Davis Tennessee
Trades/Roster Changes DateDetails September 10, 2020 Signed F Damiris Dantas to a multi-year contract extension. December 4, 2020 Exercised Rookie Contract Options on F Napheesa Collier and Jessica Shepard. December 18, 2020 Renounced the rights to G Katerina Elhotova. January 3, 2021 Extended a Qualifying Offer to F Temi Fagbenle, G Anna Cruz, and G Bridget Carleton. January 8, 2021 Signed G Bridget Carleton to a training-camp contract. January 13, 2021 Extended a Qualifying Offer to F Erica McCall. February 1, 2021 Signed G Kayla McBride and F Natalie Achonwa. February 6, 2021 Signed and Traded F Erica McCall to the Washington Mystics for a 2022 3rd Round Pick. February 10, 2021 Traded F Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to the Seattle Storm for a 2022 1st Round Pick (via the Phoenix Mercury). February 13, 2021 Signed G Linnae Harper to a training-camp contract. February 15, 2021 Signed F Aerial Powers. 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. April 3, 2021 Signed G Mikayla Pivec to a Training Camp contract. April 16, 2021 Signed F Asheika Alexander to a training-camp contract. April 17, 2021 Waived G Lexie Brown. Signed G Japreece Dean, G Selena Lott, C Mikayla Vaughn, and F Alex Wittinger to training-camp contracts. April 19, 2021 Signed F Rennia Davis April 29, 2021 Waived F Alex Wittinger May 6, 2021 Waived G Japreece Dean May 10, 2021 Waived G Asheika Alexander and C Mikayla Vaughn May 10, 2021 Waived G Linnae Harper May 13, 2021 Waived G Mikayla Pivec and G Selena Lott Re-Signed G Linnae Harper to Hardship Contract Temporary Suspend F Napheesa Collier due to Overseas Commitments May 13, 2021 Released G Linnae Harper from Hardship Contract Activated F Napheesa Collier from Temporary Suspension List May 30, 2021 Sign G Layshia Clarendon to a Hardship Contract June 11, 2021 Released G Layshia Clarendon from the Hardship Contract June 12, 2021 Signed G Layshia Clarendon to a Hardship Contract June 15, 2021 Signed F Cierra Burdick to a Hardship Contract June 20, 2021 Released G Layshia Clarendon and F Cierra Burdick from their Hardship Contract June 21, 2021 Re-Sign G Layshia Clarendon to a Hardship Contract June 28, 2021 Waive G Rachel Banham June 30, 2021 Release G Layshia Clarendon from the Hardship Contract July 2, 2021 Sign G Layshia Clarendon July 5, 2021 Sign G Rachel Banham July 6, 2021 Sign F Natasha Mack to a 7-day contract August 14, 2021 Release F Natasha Mack from the 7-day contract September 10, 2021 Signed F/C Jillian Alleyne to a 7-day contract September 19, 2021 Signed F/C Jillian Alleyne to a Rest of Season Contract
Roster
Depth Pos.StarterBench C Sylvia Fowles Natalie AchonwaJillian Alleyne PF Damiris Dantas Jessica Shepard SF Napheesa Collier Aerial PowersBridget CarletonRennia Davis SG Kayla McBride Rachel Banham PG Layshia Clarendon Crystal Dangerfield
Schedule
Preseason
| 1 | May 1 | @ Atlanta | L 61–69 | CarletonShepard (10) | ShepardAchonwaHarper (6) | Japreece Dean (4) | Gateway Center ArenaNo Fans | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 8 | Washington | W 79–69 | Rachel Banham (23) | Jessica Shepard (10) | Natalie Achonwa (5) | Target CenterNo Fans | 1–1
The preseason game vs. Atlanta was a scrimmage. The second half gave both teams multiple possessions and was not played like a real game.
Regular season
| 1 | May 14 | Phoenix | L 75–77 | Aerial Powers (18) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | DantasDangerfield (4) | Target Center2,021 | 0–1 |- | 2 | May 18 | @ New York | L 75–86 | Sylvia Fowles (26) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | Crystal Dangerfield (6) | Barclays Center815 | 0–2 |- | 3 | May 20 | Seattle | L 78–90 | Crystal Dangerfield (22) | Sylvia Fowles (9) | PowersDangerfield (6) | Target Center1,934 | 0–3 |- | 4 | May 28 | @ Seattle | L 72–82 | Sylvia Fowles (15) | AchownaFowles (6) | Napheesa Collier (6) | Angel of the Winds Arena1,332 | 0–4 |- | 5 | May 30 | Connecticut | W 79–74 (OT) | Sylvia Fowles (24) | Sylvia Fowles (9) | DantasMcBride (5) | Target Center2,007 | 1–4
| 6 | June 4 | Atlanta | W 86–84 | Napheesa Collier (26) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | Layshia Clarendon (5) | Target Center2,024 | 2–4 |- | 7 | June 6 | Atlanta | W 100–80 | Kayla McBride (19) | Sylvia Fowles (7) | Napheesa Collier (6) | Target Center2,021 | 3–4 |- | 8 | June 8 | @ Washington | L 81–85 | Napheesa Collier (22) | Napheesa Collier (9) | ClarendonDangerfield (6) | Entertainment and Sports Arena2,100 | 3–5 |- | 9 | June 12 | Los Angeles | W 80–64 | Crystal Dangerfield (16) | Sylvia Fowles (9) | ClarendonCollier (4) | Target Center2,203 | 4–5 |- | 10 | June 15 | Chicago | L 89–105 | Napheesa Collier (27) | Sylvia Fowles (9) | ClarendonDangerfield (5) | Target Center2,024 | 4–6 |- | 11 | June 17 | @ Dallas | W 85–73 | Kayla McBride (22) | Sylvia Fowles (12) | Layshia Clarendon (5) | College Park Center1,519 | 5–6 |- | 12 | June 19 | @ Dallas | L 77–95 | CollierDangerfield (17) | Sylvia Fowles (7) | Layshia Clarendon (6) | College Park Center1,751 | 5–7 |- | 13 | June 23 | @ Atlanta | W 87–85 | Sylvia Fowles (26) | Sylvia Fowles (19) | Layshia Clarendon (9) | Gateway Center Arena907 | 6–7 |- | 14 | June 25 | Las Vegas | W 90–89 (OT) | Sylvia Fowles (30) | Sylvia Fowles (14) | Napheesa Collier (8) | Target Center2,734 | 7–7 |- | 15 | June 30 | @ Phoenix | W 82–76 | Kayla McBride (26) | CollierFowles (11) | Crystal Dangerfield (7) | Phoenix Suns Arena4,122 | 8–7
| 16 | July 3 | @ Phoenix | W 99–68 | Kayla McBride (24) | Sylvia Fowles (10) | CollierShepard (6) | Phoenix Suns Arena8,182 | 9–7 |- | 17 | July 7 | Dallas | W 85–79 | Kayla McBride (25) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | Layshia Clarendon (8) | Target Center2,321 | 10–7 |- | 18 | July 9 | @ Las Vegas | W 77–67 | Layshia Clarendon (18) | FowlesDantas (9) | Layshia Clarendon (9) | Michelob Ultra ArenaN/A | 11–7 |- | 19 | July 11 | @ Los Angeles | W 86–61 | Napheesa Collier (27) | Damiris Dantas (8) | Layshia Clarendon (8) | Los Angeles Convention Center892 | 12–7
| 20 | August 15 | New York | W 88–78 | Sylvia Fowles (20) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | Layshia Clarendon (8) | Target Center3,534 | 13–7 |- | 21 | August 17 | @ Connecticut | L 60–72 | Sylvia Fowles (14) | Sylvia Fowles (5) | AchonwaClarendon (3) | Mohegan Sun Arena3,488 | 13–8 |- | 22 | August 19 | @ Connecticut | L 71–82 | Sylvia Fowles (18) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | Layshia Clarendon (8) | Mohegan Sun Arena3,536 | 13–9 |- | 23 | August 21 | @ Chicago | W 101–95 | Layshia Clarendon (18) | DantasMcBride (7) | Layshia Clarendon (5) | Wintrust Arena5,036 | 14–9 |- | 24 | August 24 | Seattle | W 76–70 | Sylvia Fowles (29) | Sylvia Fowles (20) | Layshia Clarendon (6) | Target Center3,634 | 15–9 |- | 25 | August 31 | New York | W 74–66 | Kayla McBride (25) | Napheesa Collier (14) | Rachel Banham (5) | Target Center3,221 | 16–9
| 26 | September 2 | Los Angeles | W 66–57 | Kayla McBride (17) | Sylvia Fowles (17) | CarletonCollier (4) | Target Center3,121 | 17–9 |- | 27 | September 4 | Washington | W 93–75 | Napheesa Collier (21) | Napheesa Collier (9) | Rachel Banham (8) | Target Center3,403 | 18–9 |- | 28 | September 8 | @ Las Vegas | L 81–102 | Aerial Powers (20) | Sylvia Fowles (11) | CollierMcBride (4) | Michelob Ultra Arena5,663 | 18–10 |- | 29 | September 10 | Indiana | W 89–72 | Aerial Powers (20) | FowlesShepard (7) | BanhamDangerfield (5) | Target Center3,503 | 19–10 |- | 30 | September 12 | Indiana | W 90–80 | Napheesa Collier (22) | Sylvia Fowles (8) | Napheesa Collier (7) | Target Center3,434 | 20–10 |- | 31 | September 17 | @ Indiana | W 92–73 | Sylvia Fowles (21) | Sylvia Fowles (10) | Bridget Carleton (5) | Indiana Farmers ColiseumN/A | 21–10 |- | 32 | September 19 | @ Washington | W 83–77 | Aerial Powers (27) | Sylvia Fowles (13) | Layshia Clarendon (6) | Entertainment and Sports Arena2,854 | 22–10
Playoffs
| 1 | September 26 | Chicago | 76–89 | Aerial Powers (24) | Sylvia Fowles (8) | Aerial Powers (4) | Target Center4,334 | 0–1
Standings
Playoffs
Statistics
Regular season Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG Napheesa Collier 29 29 34.6 44.1 25.3 86.0 6.6 3.2 1.3 1.3 16.2 Sylvia Fowles 31 31 30.1 64.0 0.0 75.5 10.1 1.4 1.8 1.8 16.0 Kayla McBride 32 32 31.6 43.3 37.9 91.0 3.6 2.3 0.8 0.2 13.7 Aerial Powers 14 7 22.1 42.7 31.4 91.7 3.6 2.1 0.4 0.4 13.4 Layshia Clarendon 21 20 25.7 51.7 35.7 78.4 3.1 5.7 0.6 0.0 10.4 Damiris Dantas 24 20 23.8 37.7 33.3 75.0 4.0 2.3 0.4 0.3 7.7 Crystal Dangerfield 31 10 20.1 38.8 35.9 85.7 2.0 2.8 0.7 0.1 7.7 Rachel Banham 27 0 12.6 39.5 37.3 62.5 1.2 1.6 0.3 0.1 5.0 Bridget Carleton 32 10 19.3 40.1 36.5 80.0 2.3 1.5 0.8 0.2 4.8 Natalie Achonwa 21 1 12.0 42.6 0.0 89.3 2.1 1.2 0.6 0.2 3.7 Jessica Shepard 22 0 10.5 36.4 8.3 75.0 3.2 1.7 0.1 0.2 2.0 Jillian Alleyne 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Rennia Davis 0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Awards and Milestones Recipient Award/Milestone Date Awarded Reference Kayla McBride 3,000th Career Point June 17 (vs. Dallas) Napheesa Collier 1,000th Career Point June 30 (vs. Phoenix) Sylvia Fowles Western Conference Player of the Week June 28 Napheesa Collier WNBA All-Star Selection June 30 Sylvia Fowles Sylvia Fowles Western Conference Player of the Month September 2 WNBA All-Defensive First Team September 26 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year All-WNBA Second Team October 15
References
External links