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Basketball
Cheryl Reeve has warned that the Minnesota Lynx's 89-81 defeat to the Atlanta Dream offered a stark glimpse of the physical challenges awaiting them in the WNBA playoffs.
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Minnesota Lynx fell 89-81 to the Atlanta Dream in a bruising encounter that denied them the chance to lock up the No. 1 seed ahead of the WNBA's break for the FIBA World Cup.
It was a result that stung - but head coach Cheryl Reeve suggested the lessons learned could prove just as valuable as a win.
Reeve pointed to Atlanta's aggressive, physical approach as the key factor in derailing her side's game plan. The Dream imposed themselves from the outset, and the Lynx struggled to match that intensity.
For Reeve, it was a clear preview of what awaits in the post-season, where whistle-happy officials tend to swallow their whistles and the action turns considerably more combative.
Allisha Gray was the star of the night for Atlanta, posting 23 points and hauling in 11 rebounds. Jordin Canada and Rhyne Howard each chipped in 16 points to round out a dominant team effort.
Minnesota had their bright spots too. Rookie Olivia Miles delivered 21 points, while Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride both contributed 17 apiece - but it wasn't enough.
Reeve was candid about the work ahead, acknowledging that her squad must adjust to a more rugged brand of basketball if they want to make a deep playoff run. The defeat, she said, offered crucial insight into the areas demanding attention before the post-season arrives.
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Eva Hernández, Editor-in-Chief
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