The afternoon was special.
The Lynx finished their preseason with a game against Chicago on Saturday in Toronto. Played in Scotiabank Arena — which sold out in minutes when tickets were first put on sale — in front of nearly 20,000 fans, it was a nice moment for somebody like Bridget Carleton, the Lynx forward who became the first Canadian to play in the first WNBA game played in Canada.
"The environment was special," said Carleton, who got the start with Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve sitting Napheesa Collier, Jessica Shepard and Lindsay Allen, three players who could start.
But, after the game, after the Lynx had seen an eight-point lead early in the fourth quarter turn into an 82-74 defeat, Reeve was more concerned about the work that has to get done before these two teams play again in Friday night's regular-season opener at Target Center.
"Long way to go," Reeve said. "Long way to go, and, obviously, not enough time. But every coach probably feels that way."
There were some positives:
- After struggling mightily against Chicago's pressure defense while falling behind by seven at the half, the Lynx played better in the second half, especially in the third quarter, which ended with Minnesota up six.
- Again Tiffany Mitchell might have been the best player in a Lynx uniform. She played 34 minutes, again showed her ability to play lead guard as well as off the ball. She scored 19 points, had a team-high six assists with five rebounds.
"She had a heck of a game," Reeve said. "I like what she's doing, in terms of what we're asking of her — playing lead guard and the two as well. She is a player we need to get on the floor. She's been really valuable for us."
- Kayla McBride scored 13 points in her preseason debut. Rachel Banham scored 13 as well. And rookie Taylor Soule scored eight points and again made a handful of impressive hustle plays while trying to make the final roster.
But there were problems, too.
