Despite a 96-77 loss to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Thursday night, there was still room to celebrate off the court for the Minnesota Lynx as they clinched the top-seed in the WNBA Playoffs and home court advantage thanks to an overtime loss by the Golden State Valkyries to the Portland Fire.
Rookie Olivia Miles was out of Tuesday's game with a left calf injury as head coach Cheryl Reeve opted to let her bench players carry the torch for the final 25 minutes, cutting a once 29 point deficit to seven.
"The group that was playing got some really good reps, we learned a lot more about them and how we can use them and what role they can play," Reeve said. "In situations like these you just try and find something you can take away."
Napheesa Collier's 9 points led the starting group, while Chloe Bibby scored 15 points to lead the Lynx off the bench.
"What I saw in the first 15 minutes, it was apparent that maybe rest was a better option with the playoffs starting on Sunday," Reeve said. "We thought that the first group would be better served saving legs."
Caitlin Clark finished with a game-high 27 for the Fever.
The Lynx wrap-up their regular season at home on Thursday against the Fever.
WNBA Playoffs begin on Sunday
WNBA Playoffs begin on Sunday
