2019 Minnesota Lynx season
The 2019 WNBA season of the Minnesota Lynx was their 21st season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Lynx finished the 2018 season with a record of 18–16, finishing fourth in the Western Conference and seventh overall in the league, while qualifying for the playoffs, before ultimately being beat by Los Angeles in the first Round of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs.
| 2019 Minnesota Lynx season | |
|---|---|
| Coach | Cheryl Reeve |
| Arena | Target Center |
| Attendance | 9,069 per game |
| Results | |
| Record | 18–16 (.529) |
| Place | 4th (Western) |
| Playoff finish | 7th Seed; Lost in First Round to Seattle |
| Team Leaders | |
| Points | Odyssey Sims – 14.5 ppg |
| Rebounds | Sylvia Fowles – 8.9 rpg |
| Assists | Odyssey Sims – 5.4 apg |
| Media | |
| Television | Fox Sports North, ESPN, NBATV |
On February 5, 2019, Maya Moore announced that she would not be playing in the 2019 season citing a need to spend more time with family and to focus on her ministry dreams. On March 14, the Lynx announced that they promoted Walt Hopkins to a full-time assistant coach, while also adding Plenette Pierson to an assistant coaching role.
Despite Moore's retirement, the Lynx started off the season strong, going on a three game winning streak. However, they could not keep the momentum going winning only three of their next nine games, including a four game losing streak, to finish June with a 6–6 record. July proved to be more of the same with the team winning their first three games in the month, but losing their last three and finishing 4–4 for the month. August was another up and down month. The Lynx finished 6–5 on the month, which included losing three games and then winning three games to finish the month. The team did managed to extend their three game winning streak into a five game winning streak, but lost their season finale.
Their final record of 18–16 earned them the seventh seed in the playoffs. They faced off against the sixth seeded Seattle Storm. The Storm earned the right to host the game by winning the regular season series 3–1. Napheesa Collier scored a double double in her playoff debut, but it was ultimately not enough as the Lynx lost by ten points.
Collier's solid post season continued when she won Rookie of the Year. Collier is the fourth Lynx player to win the award, and the first since Maya Moore.