The Lynx were able on Sunday to win their season opener against the Chicago Sky on a night when the Lynx shot 37 percent overall, 23.7 percent in the second half and sub-20 in the fourth quarter.
That will need to change.
The Lynx play in New York on Thursday against a defensive-minded Liberty team determined to shut down the post. The Lynx overcame a woeful offensive showing versus Chicago thanks to Sylvia Fowles' scoring in the paint. But that alone won't be enough against the Liberty.
A team that couldn't shoot straight Sunday will have to hit some shots for the Lynx to go 2-0.
"If we shoot the same [as the team did Sunday], it's going to be a grind," Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said.
It was a grind at times Sunday. Maya Moore made one of 11 three-pointers and shot 5-for-19 overall. Seimone Augustus was 3-for-10, Lindsay Whalen 3-for-9. Especially in the first half, the Sky dominated the Lynx on the boards.
Against a team that forces you to score from outside and mucks up the paint, the Lynx cannot play the way they did Sunday and win.
"You want to make sure you bounce back," Moore said. "I need to do whatever I can to stay in a rhythm."