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Minnesota Lynx Could Use Some Rest Days
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

It's been quite a haul for the Minnesota Lynx lately with a lot of games filling up their schedule. Maybe it would be a good idea for the Lynx to have some rest days pretty soon.

Minnesota finds itself in the No. 2 position in the latest WNBA Rankings from The Athletic. The team has been carried a lot this season by the incredible play of WNBA MVP candidate Napheesa Collier. Thanks to Collier's scoring abilities, the Lynx are 18-4 this season.

Right now, Minnesota owns a three-game lead over the surging Phoenix Mercury in the overall WNBA standings. But the Lynx have had a killer schedule, including some back-to-backs and the Commissioner's Cup final in the mix.

What will Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve need to do in order to make sure fresh, rested legs are ready to run up and down the court? They might be looking to add another veteran to their mix after waiving 2024 first-round selection Alissa Pili.

In looking at the Lynx's current situation, Sabreena Merchant of The Athletic made some valid points. "The Lynx have been grinding," Merchant wrote. "They’re in the midst of eight games in 14 days, including two back-to-backs, and two games still to play before the All-Star break. This string of games also followed the Commissioner’s Cup final, which doesn’t show up on the schedule but is absolutely evident in their legs.

Napheesa Collier is playing as well as she can right now for Minnesota Lynx, but help is needed as the team moves along

"Prior to this stretch, Collier was shooting 39.6 percent from 3-point range; she is 3 of her last 23 to drop to 31 percent," Merchant wrote. "Kayla McBride has made 13 of her last 41 3s, and a miserable 7 of 25 from 2-point range during that span.

"McBride had two single-digit clunkers this week against Phoenix and Los Angeles, the former costly in Minnesota’s eight-point loss. ... The fatigue showed up on the glass against Chicago on Saturday, as the Lynx were out-rebounded 45-28, though the two teams average 37 and 33 rebounds, respectively."

Being able to get key rebounds in clutch moments matters for Minnesota. The same thing can be said for any WNBA team, of course. But the Lynx need to make sure their lineup is strong heading into the latter weeks of this season. Look for Reeve and Lynx management to make a move or two to help the team out.

Collier's play will get better, especially after Minnesota's hectic schedule tapers off a bit in the next couple of weeks.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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