What's next for Lynx after shocking playoff exit? Next steps hinge on Napheesa Collier's free agent decision — SkimNews
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- Napheesa Collier is an unrestricted free agent after signing only a one-year supermax deal in April, and her decision will dictate all of coach Cheryl Reeve's offseason moves.
- The Lynx finished 33-11 as the No. 1 seed but lost both playoff games by 16 points, posting a minus-32 series margin — the worst ever by a No. 1 seed in a best-of-three series, per Her Hoops Stats.
- Minnesota became the first No. 1 seed to lose a first-round series (or even a single game) to a No. 8 seed.
- Olivia Miles, the No. 2 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, set the league's rookie points record (breaking Caitlin Clark's mark) and was named unanimous Rookie of the Year.
- The Lynx went 22-6 before Collier returned from offseason ankle surgery in late July and just 11-7 (regular season plus playoffs) after her return.
- Cheryl Reeve accepted blame and hinted at "hard decisions," saying: "I have to get us the appropriate help to do it."
- Minnesota's tallest starter was 6-foot-2 Natasha Howard, and its only taller active player was 6-foot-5 Dorka Juhász — a size deficiency exposed by the Liberty.
Why it matters: Minnesota posted the league's best regular-season record and then became the first No. 1 seed to lose a first-round series to a No. 8 — and every roster move now runs through Napheesa Collier, whose one-year supermax expires. If she walks, Reeve must choose between retooling veterans for a 2027 run or building around unanimous Rookie of the Year Olivia Miles long-term.
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