Minnesota Links were hungry for revenge this season, feeling that the 2024 title had been “stolen” from them, and for much of the summer it looked like they would get it. They went 34-10, setting a single-season league winning record and clinching the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. They covered Golden State Valkyries in the first round.
Everything went according to plan until the third quarter of the second game against Phoenix Mercury in the semi-finals. The Bobcats led by 20 points and appeared to be heading for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, but they managed just 31 points in the second half before losing in overtime.
Then, in the last minute of the third game, Alyssa Thomas stole the ball from Nafisa Collier and encountered her in the process. Collier tore several ligaments in her ankle and a calf muscle, and as she lay on the ground in severe pain, trainer Cheryl Reeve exploded. Reeve was suspended for an outburst directed at game officials, Phoenix fans and league officials, and was later suspended for the fourth game and fined $15,000.
“When you allow physicality to happen, people get hurt, fights happen. And that's what our league wants for a reason… I want to call for a change in leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating,” Reeve said. “It's bad for the game. The judging panel we had tonight and the management deeming these three men deserving of a play-off semi-final is a bloody malpractice.”
With Collier in the cleats and Reeve watching from his hotel room, the Bobcats built another big lead in Game 4 as they tried to keep their season alive. They had 13 points going into the fourth quarter, but only scored 13 points in the final frame and lost by five.
Days after the Bobcats' elimination, Collier opened her final interview with a lengthy statement in which she criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and made the contentious labor battle between the league and the Women's National Basketball Players Association fully public.
“We have the best players in the world. We have the best fans in the world. But right now we have the worst leadership in the world,” Collier said.
As Reeve and the Lynx try to regroup after the disappointing end to such a promising campaign, Collier will be in the spotlight this offseason as the public face of the WNBPA's fight for a new CBA and co-founder of Unrivaled – dual roles that are becoming increasingly difficult to separate.
Briefly about the season
- Record: 34-10 (#1 seed)
- Attack Rating: 109.5 (1st)
- Defensive Rating: 97.5 (1st)
- Net rating: plus-12.1 (1st)
The greatest strength
Defense
You can have your pick here, but we'll focus on the Bobcats' defense, which was once again excellent. They led the league in defensive rating (97.5) and opponent free throw rate (.229), and were second in opponent field goal percentage (42.3%), opponent limited zone efficiency (59.9%) and opponent turnover rate (19.6%). And for the second season in a row, Lynx became the best defender of the year. This time it was Alanna Smithwho for the first time in league history shared this honor with Las Vegas Ace star Aja Wilson.
Biggest weakness
Going to the free throw line
The Bobcats were by far the best team in the league during the regular season and therefore did not have any particular weaknesses. However, they had difficulty getting to the free throw line. They ranked 12th in free throw rate (.236) and 12th in free throw attempts per game (16.1). Their inability to get to the line and get easy points proved to be a major problem in the playoffs, especially during their fourth quarter collapse against the Mercury. They attempted just 35 free throws in four games and were outscored by 18 points in a series in which their three losses totaled 19 points.
Key free agents
This year's free agency period—whenever it arrives—will be unlike anything we've ever seen. Kalani Brown And Lexi Brown They are the only players not on rookie contracts who are under contract through 2026. All other veterans maneuvered to become free agents this winter with an eye on significant salary increases once the new collective bargaining agreement was ratified.
The Bobcats, who have been one of the league's most experienced teams this season, only have two players under contract through 2026: Dorka Juhasz and Anistasia Olairi Kosu. Only Juhasz has a guaranteed deal. Meanwhile, the team's entire starting lineup is given unrestricted free agency, as are key reserves Hiedeman, Carrington and Shepard. Klyundikova, who had some good moments in the playoffs, will be a reserved free agent.
The nature of the Bobcats' departure left little room for discussion about what actually happened on the court as their season fell apart. For the second straight postseason, the Bobcats' offense, which relies more on ball movement, cutting and passing than individual shot creation, fell apart in the scrimmage.
In the crunch minutes of the 2025 playoffs, the Bobcats had an offensive rating of 83.7, a shooting percentage of 39.5% and nearly as many turnovers (11) as goals scored (15). In three straight losses to end the season, they averaged 13 points in the fourth quarter and blew two huge leads.
There is no reason for Lynx to make any major changes. If they return the bulk of their roster, they will once again be one of the top teams in the league and a favorite to win the 2026 title. However, it's fair to wonder if they should make some changes to try and maximize this core's championship window.
Do they need a real point guard? Do they need another scoring option from the bench? Do they need a larger size of paint? Do they need to become more athletic? These are all issues that Reeve, who acknowledged some of their weaknesses in his exit interview, will have to sort out in free agency.
“Our squad wasn't necessarily fully prepared to handle [the Mercury's energy and physicality]”,” Reeve said. “That was something we were very conscious of… and we tried to add to our deal for DiJonai [Carrington]Carrington missed the semifinals with a midfoot sprain.
Until a new CBA is created and we know the rules of free agency, as well as key numbers such as the 2026 salary cap and new cap, minimum and rookie salaries, it is impossible to make any specific predictions regarding the Lynx's plans.
Forecast project
The Bobcats have the best record in the league this season and could secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft thanks to a series of trades with the Chicago Sky.
Ahead of the 2024 draft, the Lynx selected seventh overall (Angel Reese) and Nikolina Milic to Sky in exchange for number eight (Alice Pili), PigSky's 2025 second-round draft pick (Olayri Kosu) and traded the rights to Sky's 2026 first-round draft pick. Before the 2025 draft, the two teams made another deal in which the Bobcats sent the 11th overall pick (Hayley Van Lith) to Sky in exchange for full ownership of Chicago's 2026 first-round draft pick.
There is no date set for the 2026 draft lottery, and until that event occurs, we won't know who the Bobcats will select in the lottery. Of course, there is a big difference between a No. 1 and a No. 5, but regardless, the Bobcats are going to add a very talented prospect to their roster.
Here is a list of some of the players who may be available to participate in the Lynx lottery next spring:
Pham is only 19 years old and it is unclear whether she will declare for the 2026 draft, but she will be eligible. She helped Spain win a silver medal at EuroBasket this summer and is an extremely athletic and versatile athlete. Her upside is off the charts, but the Bobcats may want a player who can come in and contribute right away.
The 6-foot-7 Betts, who averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game last season, is arguably the best player in college basketball. She would give the Bobcats a real presence around the rim on both ends of the floor, but she's a traditional back-to-the-basket center who doesn't fit perfectly into Reeve's five-out system.
Miles would have been the No. 2 overall pick last year, but decided to forgo the draft and transfer to TCU, where she will study under Mark Campbell. She's an extremely high-level playmaker who could help run the Bobcats' offense and posted an improved 3-point shot of 40.6 percent on 5.3 attempts per game at Notre Dame last season.
- Flower'Jay Johnson — G, LSU
Johnson was another player who would have declared for the draft last year, but she decided to return to LSU for her senior season. She is the type of downhill threat and three-level scorer the Lynx could use. As a junior, she averaged 18.6 points and 2.5 assists per game on 46.8/38.3/81.0 shooting splits.
- Let's Latsson – J., South Carolina
Latson was incredible last season for Florida State. She led the country in scoring with 25.2 points per game and could provide a real spark in the Bobcats' offense. She decided to transfer to South Carolina for her senior campaign and will learn from Dawn Staley while competing for a national championship.
Fudd, who returned from a torn ACL last season and was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player after helping UCLA win the national championship, also decided to stay at the school. The former No. 1 rookie is a light-hitting shooter – 43.6% on 5.3 attempts per game last season – who would fit perfectly in Minnesota's system, but she needs to show she can be a true lead defender and stay healthy.
