You Win Again

Well, the Lynx made it 10-0 for a new WNBA record for consecutive wins at the start of a season. Phoenix was the latest victim and it was not close at 78-60 and a high of 74-51 at 5:03. Lindsay Whalen has been quiet lately but not tonight, leading the Lynx by far with 29 points while Seimone Augustus added 14 and Monica Wright off the bench with 11.

I was wrong about this one, however. I said the Lynx would have to match-up inside against the Merc. Well, they didn't and they won anyway. The Merc's DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree outscored our starting forwards 29-12 but our guards just demolished the Merc's Charde Houston and Sam Prahalis 43-11.

The Lynx shot poorly for once--39 percent from the floor, 32 percent on 3s, 41.5 percent on 2s, 67 percent from the line--but still outshot their opponent, in keeping with their season-long record. Phoenix was worse--29 percent from the field, 10.5 percent on 3s, and 36 percent on 2s.

The Lynx also won the possession game, something they have not generally done this year, but they won it very narrowly with 1 more offensive board (13 to 12) and 4 fewer turnovers (12 vs. 16 for Phoenix). Next up is the WNBA record for consecutive wins, period, of 18 by the L.A. Sparks of Lisa Leslie way back in 2001. The Lynx regular season win streak, going back to last year, is now 13.

So in other words, don't hold your breath. But, just for the record, here's the schedule through a record 19 wins. W-L records are shown for some of the tougher opponents.

Sunday June 17 at Seattle
Thursday June 21 New York here
Saturday June 23 Chicago here (7-1)
Wednesday June 27 Phoenix here
Sunday July 1 at San Antone would tie the record of 18
Thursday July 5 at L.A.would set the new record of 19 (7-2)

So, again, don't hold your breath. #19 at L.A. will be the toughest game yet, regardless of whether the win streak is still intact. But even if it is not, the next record worth pursuing is Houston's 27-3 record in 1998. The most wins is Seattle with 28 in 2010 ()28-4). A 29-3 record would be the crowning achievement but I don't really see that happening either.