Lynx secure WNBA top seed despite 96-77 defeat to Fever

Minnesota secured the No. 1 seed for the WNBA playoffs on Tuesday despite losing 96-77 to Indiana, with Portland's subsequent victory over Golden State confirming the Lynx's position. The Guardian reported that the result elsewhere settled the top seed before the postseason begins on Sunday, turning a difficult evening on court into a significant step for Minnesota.

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The Lynx played without rookie Olivia Miles, who was withdrawn late because of an injured left calf. Coach Cheryl Reeve said she had considered keeping Miles out of Sunday's game against Connecticut and was assessing the injury day by day. Miles had broken Caitlin Clark's single-season rookie scoring record on Sunday; the reporting did not establish when she would return.

Minnesota forward Napheesa Collier criticised the team's performance in comments to ESPN carried by The Guardian. Reeve, meanwhile, said clinching home-court advantage was not her priority, expressing confidence in the Lynx's ability away from home. The teams meet again on Thursday, giving Minnesota another game against the opponent that had just beaten them before the playoffs start.

According to the Associated Press game report, Clark led Indiana with 27 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Kelsey Mitchell scored 20, reaching that mark for a league-record 27th consecutive game with a late three-pointer. Aliyah Boston supplied 17 points and seven rebounds. The win preserved Indiana's remaining chance of taking the fourth seed and home-court advantage in the opening round.

Indiana finished the first quarter with a 14-2 burst to lead 31-16 and later stretched the gap to 57-28. Reeve used reserves for much of the remaining action to avoid further injuries. Minnesota nevertheless reduced the deficit to 71-64 by the end of the third quarter, with Aari McDonald scoring the layup that completed that period.

The Lynx remained within eight at 74-66 with 8:15 left before Indiana broke away again. Two Monique Billings free throws and baskets from Clark, Mitchell and Boston pushed the score to 82-66. Chloe Bibby finished with 15 points, all from three-pointers, for Minnesota, while Liatu King scored 12. Thursday's return meeting in Minnesota is the Lynx's regular-season finale.