After Sunday's loss at home to Atlanta, Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve changed her approach.
Before then, finishing with one of the top two spots in the WNBA standings — and the attendant bye into the league semifinals — was still a realistic hope.
Now it appears the Lynx, who ended a three-game losing streak with an impressive victory at Chicago on Tuesday, will have to play at least one single-elimination playoff game. And perhaps two. So, with the team headed down the stretch of the regular season, Reeve had to worry about more than just wins.
"We had to gear up for not getting as much rest," Reeve said. "We have to try to win games without burning ourselves out."
The Lynx played in Chicago without starting forward Rebekkah Brunson, who sustained a hairline fracture in her nose from a second-quarter elbow from Atlanta's Tiffany Hayes on Sunday. Brunson didn't make the trip to Chicago, and she won't join the team in Las Vegas for Thursday's game.
The Lynx were also without point guard Lindsay Whalen. Reeve gave her a day of rest, and might do the same Thursday.
"I haven't made that decision yet," Reeve said.
But what happened in Chicago has given Reeve fodder for decisions down the road.