'Coming Back to Family': Alanna Smith Feels at Home with Minnesota Lynx

Smith has solidified herself as a defensive anchor for the Lynx, excelling in communication, help defense, and switching—key elements of Minnesota’s identity under head coach Cheryl Reeve. Her ability to guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and rotate effectively has been central to one of the league’s most disciplined defensive units.

“There’s a couple of us that are the anchors of our defense, especially in help-side,” Smith said. “That’s usually me. We’re a team that helps a lot, and being able to provide that every single game without fail is what’s most important. Everyone knows their roles defensively and does it every game, which is really cool.”

Beyond statistics, Smith’s vocal presence and reliability have helped shape the Lynx’s defensive identity. Her awareness has allowed Minnesota to operate with flexibility in its schemes, including matchup-based switches and aggressive rotations, without sacrificing discipline.

Minnesota Lynx Culture and Chemistry

Beyond her two-way play, Smith says the team’s culture is what’s made the biggest difference. She’s praised the Lynx’s unselfishness and the authentic relationships that have developed since her arrival.

“Every single person involved with the Lynx is great,” she said. “I’ve had no issues, and I genuinely enjoy being around the team and staff. And it’s great basketball as well—you can’t really ask for much more.”

Smith also highlighted the impact of players like Bridget Carleton — teammates who make winning plays that often go unnoticed. “Her game is quiet, but it has so much impact,” Smith said. “Time and time again, it’s her doing those little things that change the game—but you don’t see it reflected on the stat sheet.”

That shared mentality — built on trust, communication, and shared responsibility — has fueled Minnesota’s rise back into championship contention.

A Journey Marked by Growth

Smith was instrumental in the Lynx’s 2024 Finals run, where the team fell to the New York Liberty in a five-game series. The loss, decided on a controversial no-call in the closing seconds of Game 5, still lingers, but the experience has galvanized the group.

“We talked about it before this season even started—the journey we were on last year,” Smith said. “Every game was a battle. But we’ve got a lot of the same players back, and that experience is so valuable.”

Now in the final year of her deal, Smith is on track to be one of the league’s top free agents in 2026. But based on her comments and her fit within Minnesota’s system, the Lynx appear to be more than just a stop on her career path — they may be her long-term home.

“As a player, you always want to be in a position where your game speaks for itself,” Smith said. “That’s all I’ve tried to do.”