Despite Napheesa Collier’s injury, the Minnesota Lynx are at the top of the league, winning all three games without their leader. The side is on a five-game winning run and looks unstoppable at the moment. As much as the credit goes to their offensive depth, their defensive stability also sets them apart from the rest of the competitors.
Highlighting the point, HC Cheryl Reeve named Alanna Smith the top player on her roster. She praised the star and endorsed her for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Minnesota Lynx HC Praises Alanna Smith
The secret behind the Lynx’s recent surge is their improved defense. While offense wins a game, defense wins a championship for a team. In 2024, Napheesa Collier led the side to the WNBA finals behind her defensive gameplay. She won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in that season. In the ongoing season, she is continuing to take her game to the next level, but has potent support from her team.
With its current 27-5 record, the team has a healthy 6.5-game lead over the second-placed New York Liberty. They are not only leading the league in offensive ratings but also topping the standings in defensive ratings. Talking about players’ importance in the game, HC Cheryl Reeve highlighted Alanna Smith’s impact as a defensive stalwart.
“Her [Alanna] and Phee, the first day that they played defense together, their synergy was terrific. Every move that Phee made, Lan knew where to be and play off her. Alanna’s just really smart. Really, really smart, and would absolutely be my choice for Defensive Player of the Year,” Reeve said in the post-game interview Via YT/MinnesotaLynx).
She added that Collier hated playing against her when the Australian star was in Chicago Sky team. The Lynx added her to the lineup in the next season, forming a formidable defensive pairing with Phee. While Reeves might have questioned many league’s decisions, she is looking to put her point across for her player this time.
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Smith is second in blocks this season and averages around four defensive rebounds per game. She also disrupts the opposition’s offense with nearly two steals per game.
Alanna Smith Complementing Cheryl Reeve’s Gameplan
Cheryl Reeve is known as a defensive mastermind. The coach keeps her team defensively solid to fuel the offense. Team’s new addition DiJonai Carrington is also a defensive-minded player, highlighting the coach’s emphasis on team defense.
The 28-year-old forward was on the league’s All-Defensive team, and also during her college career. The 6-foot-4 forward with a large wingspan controls the paint region and excels in blocks and deflections.
Playing alongside Collier and Shepard, she understands the positioning and reads the game well. In 2025, she will face a tough challenge from A’ja Wilson and Gabby Williams to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.