Lynx begin title defense with first playoff series Thursday vs. Stars
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Lynx carry less momentum into the postseason than in past years. But if there's any comfort to be had, it's that their first-round opponent is one they've taken care of this season.
For the most part.
Seeking to become the second team in league history to reach the WNBA Finals four years in a row, Minnesota opens the 2014 playoffs at 8 p.m. on Thursday against San Antonio in the first matchup of a best-of-three series. The Lynx took four of five games from the Stars this season by an average margin of 10.3 points en route to becoming the first team in league history to compile four 25-plus win seasons.
But for the first time in that span, Minnesota didn't win the Western Conference regular-season title, instead finishing four games back of Phoenix and earning the conference's No. 2 seed. Battling injuries and fatigue, the Lynx (25-9) lost three of their final four games and earlier this season dropped four of six.
The worst loss of that closing stretch: a 92-76 setback at San Antonio (though Minnesota's starters played fewer minutes than normal with the team's playoff seed already locked up).
Power forward Rebekkah Brunson missed Minnesota's first 23 games after undergoing preseason knee surgery. Wing Seimone Augustus sat out 10 games with knee issues of her own. Fellow veteran Lindsay Whalen has appeared in every game but doesn't look 100 percent after another season of wear and tear on her 32-year-old body.
But that group is one that's hoisted the WNBA championship trophy two of the past three years and also features a gal by the name of Maya Moore who very well could be named the league's MVP this week. Moore led the WNBA in scoring this season and posted a league-record 12 games of 30 points or more.
After hosting the Kayla McBride and Becky Hammon-led Stars (16-18) on Thursday, the Lynx travel to San Antonio for a 6 p.m. clash Saturday. If necessary, Game 3 would be Monday back at the Target Center at a time to be announced later.
The winner plays either Phoenix or Los Angeles in the Western Conference finals. The Eastern Conference semis feature top-seeded Atlanta against No. 4-seed Chicago and conference runner-up Indiana against third-seeded Washington.
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