With the Golden State Valkyries losing to Portland in overtime, the Minnesota Lynx have secured the No. 1 seed. So on Tuesday night, it seemed like Cheryl Reeve has her mind on the playoffs, which start Sunday. After falling behind by 23 points in the first half of their first of two games against the Indiana Fever, the head coach made a decision that many couldn’t fathom.

Starters Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, and Natasha Howard had no part in the second half, as the Fever thrashed the Lynx 96-77 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. When asked about her decision to bench the starters, Reeve admitted to throwing in the towel with the playoffs in mind after the massive deficit.

“It was apparent that maybe rest was a better option with playoffs starting Sunday. We thought that first group would be better served saving legs, not chasing a win that wasn’t going to happen.” Cheryl Reeve told Lynx beat reporter Andrew Dukowitz on X.

If we go by Reeve’s words, it seems clear that she is prioritising rest now, and that will likely be the case against the Lynx’s final regular-season game against the Fever.

It may have been a different story if the Lynx were playing to secure the top seed, but following the Golden State Valkyries’ 90-82 loss, the Lynx will enter the playoffs as table-toppers. The Valkyries can still finish the season with the same record as the Lynx, but with Reeve’s side winning the season series 3-1, there will be no change in the standings.

This is good news for Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, who are trying their best to secure home-court advantage and probably go all out in their final regular-season game against the Lynx.

Regardless, even though the Lynx secured the top seed, Reeve could not care less about the seeding, as she believes her team is a major force away from home as much as they are at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

“We’re a damn good road team,” Reeve told Andrew Dukowitz after the game in response to a question about why seeding doesn’t matter to the Lynx.

Reeve also tipped her hat to the bench players who played the second half against the Lynx. Led by Chloe Bibby, Aari McDonald, and Liatu King, all three players scored in double digits and proved that the Lynx’s second unit is not to be taken lightly.

“In situations like this, you just try to find something you can take away, and I really appreciated King just coming in and competing at a level we hoped maybe some of the other players would have come with,” the four-time WNBA champion coach said.

Liatu King scored 12 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Chloe Bibby added 15 points. Aari McDonald contributed 10 points, and Dorka Juhasz recorded 12 rebounds.

Cheryl Reeve’s praise of her second unit suggests they will play a role in the final game of the regular season as well, while the starters will look forward to the playoffs. It is worth noting that Olivia Miles did not participate in the contest, as she is out with a calf injury.

While the Lynx are the top seed, the main concern for Reeve would be the team’s form ahead of the playoffs. In the last five games, the Lynx have won only one against the Connecticut Sun. They have lost games against the Valkyries, the Dream, the Liberty, and now the Fever, all of which are in the playoffs.

But with Reeve putting all her hopes in the playoffs after this run, it would be fair to assume the Lynx will be at their best once again in the first round, while having home-court advantage on their side and, hopefully, Olivia Miles back in the starting lineup.