Fans of the Minnesota Lynx got their money’s worth as they bore witness to an epic thriller at the Target Center. The team completed a mammoth 15-point comeback in the 4th quarter as they extended their perfect start to the season to four wins. But while the Minnesota fans would be ecstatic tonight, that hardly seems the case for Cheryl Reeve, who is crossed with her team’s failure.

Minnesota appeared rattled at the start of the game as the Connecticut Sun jumped out to an early 11-4 lead, one they just couldn’t recover from. As the lead was still in double digits heading into the 4th, the Lynx desperately needed a spark if they were to mount a comeback. And just like always, that spark arrived from team captain Napheesa Collier. Collier, who led the game in points, scored 7 of her 33 in the 4th as the Lynx mounted a comeback. Collier & co.’s 23-2 run at the end of the game broke Connecticut’s back as the dominant Lynx snatched the W.

While both the team were matched evenly in terms of offense, it was Minnesota’s defense that became the difference maker in the clutch. And while her team forced 23 turnovers in the game, making for 18 of their points, Cheryl Reeve was left wanting more. When asked if she was satisfied with the Lynx defense, Reeve gave a stern response.

“I’d say of the 40 minutes, we played five of them defensively. You know, we had some other kind of like solid stretches, but not enough to really do the dictating.” she said “And so I think that light bulb has to go on. And if the last five minutes of the game is that light bulb, that would be great.” While many might term Reeve’s judgement as harsh, it is important to understand this is the mindset of a champion coach who affords no let ups. And Reeve made sure to let her team know. 

“If we go back, you know, sort of the other way and just let them do whatever they want to do and not be mindful of what our help should look like or, you know, not get a rebound, then it’s going to be hard.” Reeve expressed her frustration, “Then you have to have an offensive game that’s terrific to win. And that’s not a space we want to be in.” she said.

While Reeve’s side possess a nuclear scorer in Napheesa, Cheryl wants her team to not be dependent on their offense and rather dictate the game through their defense. A 4-time WNBA champ, Cheryl knows defense indeed wins championships and it was her team’s fantastic defense last year that brought her very close to the historic 5th title. It positioned them at No. 3 in the WNBA and led to the franchise’s best start to a season since 2017. “We take so much pride in our defense. This is the best defensive Lynx team I’ve been on and this is my sixth season,” Collier said back then.

So, as Reeve looks to make history and become the head coach with the most championships, the Lynx know their defense must be the driving force behind it.

What makes Cheryl Reeve’s defensive schemes so good?

Coach Reeve instills a non-negotiable commitment to the defensive end in her every roster she coaches. Her players inherently understand that defensive effort is absolutely fundamental to their success as she emphasizes defensive tenacity over all. A core tenet of Reeve’s defensive philosophy is “finishing the play with a rebound.” She famously pointed out how an opponent could play 20 seconds of defense, give up an offensive rebound, and then face another 14 seconds of defense.

Her team’s defensive schemes are renowned for being aggressive and constantly present different looks. They don’t simply adhere to a single scheme, instead they adapt and tweak their approaches based on the opponent demanding exceptional versatility from her players, who are frequently capable of defending multiple positions effectively. In her role as President of Basketball Operations, Reeve deliberately prioritizes bringing in players who align with her defensive values. This is evident in the Lynx’s acquisition of Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith, who are both versatile defenders and add to an already dominant defense featuring the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of The Year, Napheesa Collier.

The Lynx often apply substantial perimeter pressure, challenging opposing ball-handlers and denying easy entry passes. While the Lynx are aggressive, they are also exceptionally disciplined in their rotations and closeouts, making it exceedingly difficult for opponents to get clean looks, particularly from beyond the arc. While the Lynx’s half-court defense is already superior, their willingness to crash the glass makes it hard for their opponent to get out in transition and score easy shots.

The stats back the Lynx’s defensive excellence. In the 2024 WNBA season, the Lynx ranked second in defensive rating at 94.8 and were second in the league in steals per game. Minnesota’s defensive superiority is further highlighted by their opponents’ field goal percentage, a stat they led the league in. The WNBA General Manager Survey for the upcoming 2025 season also reflected this sentiment, with 73% of GMs picking Minnesota to be the best defensive team in the WNBA.

Although Reeve was unhappy with her defense tonight, it is also very understandable. You must remember how excited she got last season. “I think you guys should all write about how we went from a team that could not turn a team over last season and now we have a team number one in steals,” Reeve said. “It’s crazy, right?” Yes, it was, and that’s why she is ringing the bells in advance.