The Lynx still have a lot of room for improvement in terms of rebounding

Because of the way the team is constructed, with a starting lineup filled with players both willing and able to shoot three-pointers but also relatively undersized, this year’s Lynx will not be a dominant team on the rebound.

But as coach Cheryl Reeve said, they can get better. Or, perhaps with more strength, they’d better get better.

“We can’t be last in the league in rebounding percentage,” Reeve said. “That’s not necessarily why we lost the game in Dallas, but we can’t leave a room having allowed the other team to get eight more possessions than us. »

On Thursday in Dallas, the Wings snapped an 11-game losing streak — and ended the Lynx’s six-game winning streak — by scoring 48 of their 94 points in the paint. The Wings had 14 offensive rebounds.

That last statistic is a bit misleading. The Lynx actually won the second-chance points battle 12-9. Over the course of the season, despite often struggling to rebound on the defensive end, the Lynx defense has managed to compete for second-chance points virtually evenly this year during a 13-4 start.

But for Reeve, things need to improve. If the Lynx can move up to the middle of the pack in rebounding percentage, that — along with the team’s third-ranked offensive rating — would make the team even tougher to play.

And it became a focal point.

“We have to change some of the muscle memory,” Reeve said. “We’re going back to the old school.”

This means working – and insisting – on blocking. The team worked hard on that in practice Saturday before flying to Chicago.

Good timing. Because the Sky, though just 6-10 this season while largely facing rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, are built to play inside. The Sky lead in offensive rebounds per game (11.2), points in the paint (41.9) and second-chance points (11.5), which offsets a three-point attack that ranks last in the league.

This will be the first glimpse of Reese for many Lynx fans.

Reese was chosen by the Sky with the seventh pick in the WNBA draft, the position the Lynx traded for. The Lynx traded picks with Chicago, obtaining the eighth overall pick, with which they took Alissa Pili. The Lynx also got the Sky’s second-round pick next year, a big development player in Sika Koné and the right to trade first-round draft picks in 2026.

Many wondered why the Lynx didn’t hold out and take Reese at 7th overall. That’s understandable, considering Reese is one of only four players in the WNBA currently averaging a double-double. She is second to Caitlin Clark in rookie scoring (13.5) and second in the league in rebounding (11.1).

Ask Reeve, and she’ll tell you the Lynx believed Reese’s skills from when she played at Louisiana State — defense and rebounding — would translate to a WNBA experience.

But maybe this trade will end up looking like a trade that benefits both teams.

The Lynx have transformed their offense from a mid-level three-point shooting team last year to the best team from long range this year. They signed Alanna Smith, who, while relatively undersized at 6-4 as a center, is a true 5, someone who can hit a shot from outside. Bridget Carleton takes and makes other three-pointers. It’s unclear whether Reese, who has only attempted three three-pointers all season, would have fit into this offense.

And with a collection of Collier, Smith and Dorka Juhász, no big-name starter could have started under Reeve. In Chicago, a team in rebuilding mode, Reese started every game.

On the other hand, the Lynx got Pili, who they believe will become a major contributor; a player like Koné with big upside; and maybe some draft capital.

The fact that this is all a topic of discussion only highlights the league’s growing popularity.

But for Sunday, Reeve wants her team to block better and give up fewer rebounds on the defensive glass. She wants a return to perimeter defense that limits dribble penetration.

“I think we can get things done with the group we have,” Reeve said.