MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minnesota Lynx recently played a momentous game, honoring one of their all-time greats, Simone Augustus. As the Lynx players took to the court, they were aware of the significance of the occasion. Augustus’s presence, a key figure in the franchise’s history, served as both inspiration and motivation.
“This being a game that honors Simone, it’s another thing that can, you know, be part of the festivities that aren’t always with a normal game. Having her at practice yesterday and having her around today meant a lot,” Napheesa Collier said. “It just puts kind of like, as Courtney [Williams] likes to say, a battery in our back. Especially, you know, having the alum there, you want to make them proud. They were in the house that they built brick by brick. We want to make sure that we’re doing right by them.“
The Lynx have been a stellar organization throughout the championships and the down years, yet they have found ways to rise to the occasion of greatness in many ways whether on or off the court.
“They built this, right? And now we’re just trying to continue on the legacy,” she said. “It’s always a great feeling to play some good basketball in front of the ones who paved the way for us,” Williams said regarding the legacy of the franchise and Augustus.
Coming off a tough loss to the Seattle Storm, the Lynx aimed to reset their focus. Williams highlighted their approach to resetting and focusing on improving as they move ahead in the season.
“We knew we had to reset, and that’s exactly what we did at practice. We went back to our fundamentals on pressure and the ball.“
This dedication to their fundamentals showed as they delivered a powerful performance, particularly in the first half.
Both players acknowledged the critical role of defense in their success.
“The paint is always a point of emphasis for us in trying to keep them out of that,” Williams explained. “We didn’t perform the way we wanted to in Seattle. So, we came out correct in this game.”
Beyond strategy, the camaraderie among the team stood out.
“I would say the pride that we have in our team and the fundamentals of defense. They made the Lynx known for their defense. And I think the way we carry ourselves and genuinely care about each other directly translates to defense,” Collier explained.
The Lynx’s connection with their fans was palpable off the court, with many donning pink wigs in tribute.
“We love them, man. They put that battery in our back. We love to see the signs,” Williams said, expressing gratitude for the supporters.
The team came out with renewed energy and resilience as they had extra motivation to get a win over Los Angeles as they honored Augustus’ jersey retirement.
In honoring a Hall of Famer in Simone Augustus, the current Lynx team demonstrated their ability to learn, grow, and excel, ensuring that they continue to uphold the legacy built by those who came before them.
