Lynx hold off Sky, Angel Reese 79-74 to bounce back from a defeat.
Courtney Williams scored 22 points to help the Lynx beat visiting Chicago, which got 17 points and 19 rebounds from Angel Reese. The Sky rookie broke the WNBA single-season rebounding record.
After the Lynx had finally beaten the Chicago Sky 79-74 on Sunday at Target Center, after she had essentially pulled her team across the finish line, Courtney Williams was asked about her play down the stretch.
“I mean, they was going under every screen,” Williams said. “They going to give me the shot, I’m going to take it.”
She makes it sound so simple.
With the score tied and just under 8 minutes left, Williams hit back-to-back jumpers. Her specialty — both midrange. The first from 21 feet, the second from 18. In the final 7:23, Williams shot 5-for-6 from the floor, scoring 10 points in her team’s 17-12 run to finish the game. She made 11 of 16 shots overall, the most makes and her highest shooting percentage (68.8%) of the season.
The rest of the Lynx shot 38%.
“It was great,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Just putting her in simple action, just simplified it. Let her play-make. … And then Court kind of taking command of things.”
The Lynx (24-9) bounced back from Friday’s one-sided loss at Dallas. The Sky (11-21) lost their sixth game in a row and for the 10th time in 13 games.
But not without a fight. The Lynx were without center Alanna Smith, who hurt her left ankle Friday. That left the Lynx shorthanded in the post against the WNBA’s best rebounding team.
In a thrilling match-up, the Lynx managed to hold off the Sky with a final score of 79-74, reclaiming their winning ways after a previous defeat. Leading the charge for the Lynx was Courtney Williams, who delivered an impressive performance by scoring 22 points. On the other side, Angel Reese of the visiting Chicago team put up a remarkable effort with 17 points and a staggering 19 rebounds, setting a new WNBA single-season rebounding record.Despite the Sky’s relentless efforts, it was Williams who shone brightest in the crucial moments of the game. With just under 8 minutes left on the clock and the score tied, Williams showcased her skill and composure by sinking back-to-back jumpers from midrange. Her precision and efficiency were on full display as she went 5-for-6 from the field in the final 7:23, ultimately sealing the victory for her team.Coach Cheryl Reeve commended Williams for her leadership and playmaking abilities, emphasizing the simplicity and effectiveness of putting her in strategic positions to excel. The rest of the Lynx struggled to find their rhythm, shooting at a significantly lower percentage compared to Williams’ stellar performance.Following a disappointing loss to Dallas, the Lynx demonstrated resilience and determination in bouncing back against the Sky. Despite missing key player Alanna Smith due to an ankle injury, the team rallied together to secure the much-needed win. On the other hand, the Sky continued to face challenges, suffering their sixth consecutive loss and struggling to find consistency in their gameplay.As the WNBA season unfolds, fans can expect more exciting matchups and standout performances from talented athletes across the league. Stay tuned for further updates and insights as we continue to bring you valuable information and analysis. Your support and engagement drive us to deliver timely and relevant content for your enjoyment and enlightenment.
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
