Minnesota Lynx

The Minnesota Lynx are a professional women's basketball team based in Minneapolis, competing in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as a member of the Western Conference. Founded on April 22, 1998, as an expansion franchise, the team began play in 1999. The Lynx have built one of the league's most successful dynasties, winning four WNBA championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, and making six Finals appearances in seven seasons from 2011 to 2017. Their sustained excellence is marked by a 15-17 record in their inaugural season under head coach Brian Agler, followed by a rise to prominence under current coach and president Cheryl Reeve.

The team's home games are played at Target Center in downtown Minneapolis, which they share with the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lynx colors are midnight navy blue, lake blue, aurora green, and moonlight grey, and their primary sponsor is Mayo Clinic. Ownership transitioned from Glen Taylor to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore in 2024. The franchise has a deep connection to its community, with a passionate fan base that has supported the team through 15 playoff appearances in 26 seasons. [edit]

The Lynx debuted on June 12, 1999, at Target Center, defeating the Detroit Shock 68-51 before 12,122 fans. Guard Tonya Edwards scored the first points in franchise history on a layup assisted by Sonja Tate. The team finished 15-17 in its inaugural season. Over the next decade, the Lynx struggled to find consistency, missing the playoffs in eight of their first 12 seasons. The turning point came in 2010 with the hiring of Cheryl Reeve as head coach. Reeve, who also serves as team president, transformed the franchise into a powerhouse.

In 2011, the Lynx captured their first WNBA title, sweeping the Atlanta Dream in the Finals. Seimone Augustus was named Finals MVP. They returned to the Finals in 2012 but lost to the Indiana Fever. The team reclaimed the championship in 2013, with Maya Moore earning Finals MVP after averaging 25.7 points per game. The Lynx repeated as champions in 2015, led by Sylvia Fowles, who was acquired mid-season and earned Finals MVP. In 2017, Fowles again led the team to a title, defeating the Los Angeles Sparks in a five-game series. The 2016 Finals loss to the Sparks marked the beginning of a fierce rivalry. The Lynx reached the Finals again in 2024, falling to the New York Liberty, but won their first Commissioner's Cup that same year. [edit]