‘Don‘t ever count the Lynx out‘: Lynx start finals run, look to bring home another title
2024 WNBA Playoffs Semifinals Game 5 between the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday at Target Center in Minneapolis.
Kerem Yücel | MPR News
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The Minnesota Lynx are in New York for the first game of the WNBA finals. They tip off against the New York Liberty at 7 p.m.
These are the top two teams in the WNBA. New York is coming back to try to win a title after losing to the Las Vegas Aces in last year’s finals. The Lynx are in the finals for the first time since 2017, when they won their fourth championship.
Lynx fans say this finals run could be the start of something big.
“I would say they’re almost there as a dynasty level,” said Lynx fan Devin Xiong. “No matter what, this is the start of something, I think it is the start of something.”
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Joining the program to talk about how they got here is Lynx President of Business Operations Carley Knox, who’s worked for the team since 2010.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.
Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: Now, another sports story happening tonight. The Lynx are in New York for the first game of the WNBA finals. They tip off against the New York Liberty at 7:00 PM Central time. These are the top two teams in the WNBA. New York is coming back to try to win a title after losing to the Vegas Aces in last year's finals. The Lynx are in the finals for the first time since 2017, when they won their fourth championship. Lynx fans say this finals run could be the start of something big.
DEVIN XIONG: I would say they're almost there as a dynasty level just because we have Napheesa. We have all the pieces in play. I think I could see a good run for the Lynx for a while. I think it is the start of something.
CATHY WURZER: Joining us right now to talk about how the Lynx got to the finals, Lynx President of Business Operations, Carley Knox, who's worked for the team since 2010. Carley, thanks for taking the time.
CARLEY KNOX: Good m-- good afternoon, I should say.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you. Good afternoon. I know. It just seems like there's just so much going on, right? As you know, Carley, the Lynx are not the betting favorites, not that that matters. Reporters who cover the team say this year's version of the Lynx aren't a super team. I mean, they're really good, but they're not a super team. What do you say to that?
CARLEY KNOX: Well, I mean, I guess what I say to that is when they predicted we'd end up ninth this year, the Minnesota Lynx gave them the number 2 seed and are back in the WNBA finals, have made playoffs 13 of the last 14 years, and obviously doing our dynasty run, four championships in seven years. So I guess that's what I would say to that.
CATHY WURZER: This is a good match up. I mean, the Liberty has a lot of stars, pretty impressive players. Give us your take. What makes the Lynx such a strong team?
CARLEY KNOX: Yeah. This team is so incredibly special. And I keep talking about this. Nobody predicted we'd be some powerhouse team. But we have players that are so humble, so kind, that put team above individual accolades, that their chemistry is off the charts, and they care so much about each other.
I keep saying they play joyful basketball. They have so much fun playing with each other and having each other's back, and it's something really special to have watched all season long. And then to be back in the WNBA finals again with this group? I mean, it's really an incredible time. And don't ever count the Lynx out.
CATHY WURZER: They're tough. They really are. So you've been with the team, as I mentioned, since 2017.
CARLEY KNOX: 2010, actually. This is my 15th year this year.
CATHY WURZER: There you go. Sorry about that. So you've seen a lot of basketball that's gone under the bridge here. What do you think's different since they last won in 2017? That was my year I was trying to think of. Since they last won in 2017, what's different this time compared to that last championship?
CARLEY KNOX: I think we have a group that has really bought in to that Lynx culture. Again, putting the team above the individual. And that's part of what made us so incredibly good during the dynasty years is such good people, incredible role models, kind, humble, playing joyful basketball.
And we had that group together for four championships in seven years. This group reminds me of that group, just the kindness, the specialness, the joy they have with playing with each other. And so it reminds me of the start of something pretty great.
CATHY WURZER: Fans are a little bit nervous. What do you tell them?
CARLEY KNOX: Never count the Lynx out. You trust in Phee and KMac and Lan and just all of our players. Trust in our coaching staff and Cheryl. Let the doubters down, and the Lynx are going to do their thing.
CATHY WURZER: Do you think this is the start of another dynasty?
CARLEY KNOX: I mean, Cheryl will kill me for saying it, but it sure has some similar qualities, I'll tell you that.
CATHY WURZER: I bet she would not be terribly pleased you said that, but you never know. It might be the case. It might be the case. Now, are you going to be New York for the game?
CARLEY KNOX: I am currently in my hotel room in New York right now working this morning. I'm ready. I'm going to do my part.
CATHY WURZER: What are you hearing among your circles in terms of what you need to do? What might be the biggest challenge tonight?
CARLEY KNOX: Honestly, I think our biggest challenge is the turn was so quick. Obviously, we just clinched the semifinals on Tuesday night. We flew out yesterday and then obviously played today with zero rest, really, before the start of the final. I know how exhausted I am, so I think the biggest thing is just going to be continuing to ride that wave and the momentum and not succumbing to the exhaustion of this crazy cadence that we're enduring.
CATHY WURZER: All right. We wish you well. Thanks, Carley.
CARLEY KNOX: Thank you. Here we go. Let's go Lynx.
CATHY WURZER: We'll see what happens. Carley Knox is President of Business Operations for the Minnesota Lynx. Tip off 7:00 tonight Central time in New York. ESPN and ABC are airing the game. And by the way, there are watch parties happening all around the Twin Cities, including at a Bar of Their Own and Tom's Watch Bar. Both are in Minneapolis.
DEVIN XIONG: I would say they're almost there as a dynasty level just because we have Napheesa. We have all the pieces in play. I think I could see a good run for the Lynx for a while. I think it is the start of something.
CATHY WURZER: Joining us right now to talk about how the Lynx got to the finals, Lynx President of Business Operations, Carley Knox, who's worked for the team since 2010. Carley, thanks for taking the time.
CARLEY KNOX: Good m-- good afternoon, I should say.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you. Good afternoon. I know. It just seems like there's just so much going on, right? As you know, Carley, the Lynx are not the betting favorites, not that that matters. Reporters who cover the team say this year's version of the Lynx aren't a super team. I mean, they're really good, but they're not a super team. What do you say to that?
CARLEY KNOX: Well, I mean, I guess what I say to that is when they predicted we'd end up ninth this year, the Minnesota Lynx gave them the number 2 seed and are back in the WNBA finals, have made playoffs 13 of the last 14 years, and obviously doing our dynasty run, four championships in seven years. So I guess that's what I would say to that.
CATHY WURZER: This is a good match up. I mean, the Liberty has a lot of stars, pretty impressive players. Give us your take. What makes the Lynx such a strong team?
CARLEY KNOX: Yeah. This team is so incredibly special. And I keep talking about this. Nobody predicted we'd be some powerhouse team. But we have players that are so humble, so kind, that put team above individual accolades, that their chemistry is off the charts, and they care so much about each other.
I keep saying they play joyful basketball. They have so much fun playing with each other and having each other's back, and it's something really special to have watched all season long. And then to be back in the WNBA finals again with this group? I mean, it's really an incredible time. And don't ever count the Lynx out.
CATHY WURZER: They're tough. They really are. So you've been with the team, as I mentioned, since 2017.
CARLEY KNOX: 2010, actually. This is my 15th year this year.
CATHY WURZER: There you go. Sorry about that. So you've seen a lot of basketball that's gone under the bridge here. What do you think's different since they last won in 2017? That was my year I was trying to think of. Since they last won in 2017, what's different this time compared to that last championship?
CARLEY KNOX: I think we have a group that has really bought in to that Lynx culture. Again, putting the team above the individual. And that's part of what made us so incredibly good during the dynasty years is such good people, incredible role models, kind, humble, playing joyful basketball.
And we had that group together for four championships in seven years. This group reminds me of that group, just the kindness, the specialness, the joy they have with playing with each other. And so it reminds me of the start of something pretty great.
CATHY WURZER: Fans are a little bit nervous. What do you tell them?
CARLEY KNOX: Never count the Lynx out. You trust in Phee and KMac and Lan and just all of our players. Trust in our coaching staff and Cheryl. Let the doubters down, and the Lynx are going to do their thing.
CATHY WURZER: Do you think this is the start of another dynasty?
CARLEY KNOX: I mean, Cheryl will kill me for saying it, but it sure has some similar qualities, I'll tell you that.
CATHY WURZER: I bet she would not be terribly pleased you said that, but you never know. It might be the case. It might be the case. Now, are you going to be New York for the game?
CARLEY KNOX: I am currently in my hotel room in New York right now working this morning. I'm ready. I'm going to do my part.
CATHY WURZER: What are you hearing among your circles in terms of what you need to do? What might be the biggest challenge tonight?
CARLEY KNOX: Honestly, I think our biggest challenge is the turn was so quick. Obviously, we just clinched the semifinals on Tuesday night. We flew out yesterday and then obviously played today with zero rest, really, before the start of the final. I know how exhausted I am, so I think the biggest thing is just going to be continuing to ride that wave and the momentum and not succumbing to the exhaustion of this crazy cadence that we're enduring.
CATHY WURZER: All right. We wish you well. Thanks, Carley.
CARLEY KNOX: Thank you. Here we go. Let's go Lynx.
CATHY WURZER: We'll see what happens. Carley Knox is President of Business Operations for the Minnesota Lynx. Tip off 7:00 tonight Central time in New York. ESPN and ABC are airing the game. And by the way, there are watch parties happening all around the Twin Cities, including at a Bar of Their Own and Tom's Watch Bar. Both are in Minneapolis.
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