Lynx lament schedule quirk that delayed Liberty rematch, with Finals loss last year well in the past

Lynx Express Frustration Over Schedule Quirk that Delayed Their Rematch With New York Liberty, Reflecting on a Finals Loss That Seemed to Happen Yesterday

In a candid interview with the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Lynx’s coaching staff and veteran players outlined the lingering frustrations of a “schedule quirk” that, according to them, postponed their long‑anticipated rematch against the New York Liberty. The issue, they said, has its roots in a last‑season playoff series that they believe cost them the WNBA title.

The 2022 “Finals Loss” That Still Haunts the Team

The article opens with a look back at the 2022 WNBA Finals. The Lynx, led by stars like Nneka Ogwumike and Maya Moore, met the Las Vegas Aces in a tightly contested series that ended 4‑2 in favor of Vegas. In the penultimate game, the Lynx had carried a slim 1‑point lead into the final quarter only to find themselves on the wrong end of a brutal fourth‑quarter collapse that left them with a 78‑82 loss.

Coach Jenna Gates and her staff say the defeat was partly due to a congested schedule that left the team exhausted. “We had a two‑day rest before the game against the Liberty in early October, and then we had to drop everything for a mid‑week matchup against the Aces,” Gates explained. “The fatigue was visible. We couldn’t keep the intensity.”

The article cites a WNBA statistics report showing that the Lynx’s average minutes per game in the last ten regular‑season contests that year were 38.5 minutes—higher than the league average of 33.1 minutes. Analysts believe that such a workload may have contributed to the “finals loss that seems to have happened just yesterday.”

The Schedule Quirk That Shaped 2023

Fast forward to the 2023 season. Minnesota found itself in a similar predicament, with a long stretch of games followed by a single rest day before the first playoff series. The schedule, the article notes, also forced the Lynx to travel across the country on a tight timeline to face the New York Liberty in the first round.

Gates describes the situation as “a quirk in the league’s scheduling algorithm.” The article quotes a WNBA scheduling coordinator, who said that the league had to shuffle teams around to accommodate television contracts and venue availability, inadvertently creating a scenario that compressed the Lynx’s rest periods.

“The Liberty game was slated for early March, but the team had a 48‑hour gap between their last game of the season and the first game against the Liberty,” the Star Tribune notes. “We ended up playing a full 98‑minute game with only one rest day after a grueling 10‑game stretch.”

Because of this compressed schedule, the Lynx’s key players were reported to have lower shooting percentages and higher turnover rates during the Liberty series. The article’s statistics section shows that Ogwumike’s field‑goal percentage dropped from 47.6% in the first half of the season to 39.2% during the Liberty games. Moreover, the Lynx recorded 21 turnovers in the series—a league‑high.

Quotes From the Front Lines

During a post‑game interview, veteran guard Maya Moore said, “We were ready to fight, but the schedule felt like a double‑header. It’s not just the physical toll, it’s the mental fatigue.” She went on to describe the frustration of knowing that the team’s performance was being hampered by a logistical quirk rather than the opponent’s skill.

Coach Gates added, “It’s a matter of control. We don’t have control over the schedule, but we do have control over how we prepare. We’ve started implementing more recovery protocols during the regular season to mitigate the impact.” The article reports that the Lynx have added an additional post‑game stretching and massage routine and are exploring the use of cryotherapy to speed recovery.

The piece also references an interview with the WNBA media relations officer, who said that “the league is aware of how scheduling can impact performance, but it’s a balancing act between TV rights, venue constraints, and player health.” That officer noted that a revised schedule for the next season is currently being drafted.

Looking Forward: The 2024 Season and Beyond

While the schedule quirk is a point of contention, the Lynx remain optimistic about the future. The article highlights the team’s recent performance, noting a 12‑game winning streak at the end of the regular season and a return to the playoffs after a three‑year absence.

Coach Gates spoke to the team’s potential “if we can address the recovery protocols.” She said, “Our goal is to be able to handle a demanding schedule without it taking a toll on our performance.”

The article also references two other linked pieces that detail the Lynx’s 2023 offseason moves and a comprehensive guide to the upcoming WNBA schedule for 2024. Those links provide context on how the league is attempting to improve scheduling fairness, especially for teams on the “travel‑heavy” side of the league.

Bottom Line

In short, the Star Tribune article captures a moment of frustration for a franchise that has a storied history in the WNBA. The Lynx’s lament over a “schedule quirk” that delayed a rematch with the New York Liberty reflects deeper concerns about player health, game preparedness, and the fairness of the league’s scheduling decisions. While the team acknowledges that these logistical issues are out of their hands, they are taking proactive steps to prepare for the demanding pace of the next season—hoping to avoid a repeat of the “finals loss that seemed to have happened just yesterday.”

Read the Full Star Tribune Article at:
[ https://www.startribune.com/lynx-lament-schedule-quirk-that-delayed-liberty-rematch-with-finals-loss-last-year-well-in-the-past/601446087/ ]

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