Timberwolves’ Sisters: Minnesota Lynx – First To Secure 2012 WNBA Playoff Spot

After welcoming back three members of the 2012 U.S Olympic Women’s Basketball team a couple of nights ago at Target Center, the Minnesota Lynx tonight, the professional women’s basketball team in Minnesota, have already secured a playoff spot. The 2011 WNBA Champions will now have another opportunity to bring home a championship, something the Timberwolves are very much far from accomplishing in the NBA.

Tonight, in just their second game back from a month-long Olympic break, the Lynx took care of home court by blowing out the Tulsa Shock 83-59. Forward Maya Moore, and guards Lindsay Whalen and Seimone Augustus were the three players that brought home three gold medals to Target Center and tonight they were the stars. Last season’s WNBA Rookie of the Year, Maya Moore, led the way for the Lynx tonight with a near triple double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. This season Moore has been averaging 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, so based on those stats you can safely say that this night was a special night for Maya. Moore also had 4 three pointers.

Former University of Minnesota Golden Gopher women’s basketball player, Lindsay Whalen, had 15 points and 5 rebounds to help the Lynx punch a ticket for the 2012 WNBA Playoffs. Last year’s WNBA Finals MVP in Seimone Augustus finished with 14 points on 6 for 8 shooting from the field.

Defensively, the Lynx were solid tonight by just allowing one player from the Shock to finish in double figures. However, the Shock are currently the worst team in the WNBA with a 3-17 record compared to the Lynx’ 17-4 record, which is still number one in the WNBA.

The first three quarters were kept tight by the Shock as they just simply tried to keep the game as close as they can. Heading into the final quarter, the Lynx were only up by 6 points and the Shock were more than ready to … shock … Minnesota.  Unfortunately, the Lynx held the Shock to just 2 points within the first 7-8 minutes of the fourth quarter as the Lynx would end up holding the Shock to just 7 points in the quarter. The Lynx, led by two three pointers by Maya Moore would score 25 to close out the game and walk off the court with ease.

The two other Minnesota starters in Taj McWilliams and Rebekkah Brunson both had 8 points to help the Big 3 of Minnesota. For Tulsa, it was Glory Johnson who led the way in a loss with 17 points and 12 boards.

The Lynx will be heading to Seattle on Tuesday to take on Sue Bird, who played alongside Whalen, Augustus, and Moore in the Olympic games, and the Seattle Storm. The Storm and the Lynx are highly predicted to face-off against each other in the 2012 WNBA Western Conference Semi-Finals as the Storm are currently the 4th seed in the West with a 10-11 record.

Minnesota Lynx vs Seattle Storm – August  21 – 10:o0 PM ET on ESPN

Dunking With Wolves will now be following the Minnesota Lynx, the WNBA defending champions, as they are now assured of making the WNBA Playoffs. Stay tuned for more on the Lynx’ run for a back-to-back reign. DWW will of course still follow the off-season and pre-season of the one and only Minnesota Timberwolves.