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Charde Houston didn't plan the dance party that erupted on the Target Center floor Sunday night. The Lynx forward got so caught up in the rapture of beating Seattle -- the WNBA's best team this season and one of the best in recent history -- that she wanted to share it, so she impulsively welcomed fans to join her for some celebratory shimmying at center court.
That spontaneous outpouring of emotion was fueled as much by relief as it was by joy. A season that began with great promise had become defined by a number of bad habits, such as squandering leads, falling short in games decided in the final minute, wasting home-court advantage and shooting poorly. The Lynx shed every one of them Sunday to knock off a team that had won 13 in a row. But that thrill will be short-lived unless they end another problematic trend: taking a step backward whenever they seem to be making progress.
With 10 regular-season games remaining, including Tuesday night's matchup against Connecticut, the Lynx are teetering on the playoff cliff. Sunday's victory put them a half-game ahead of Los Angeles for the final Western Conference berth while confirming what it will take to hold onto it. And for this group, failing to do so should be unacceptable.
On Sunday, coach Cheryl Reeve saw exactly what she's been looking for. With assertive play from Seimone Augustus, better defense, attention to detail and a strong backbone in the final minutes, the Lynx showed they are capable of much more than their 8-16 record indicates.
"We've been in this situation before, in a number of close games," Reeve said. "I just wanted them to want it really bad and do whatever it took to [win]. I thought they paid close attention to that.
"This is a team that understands they're fortunate to be in the playoff hunt. They want to seize the moment. The message for our team is -- and I know they get this, but this was reinforcement -- is that we can beat any team we put our mind to."
Several players echoed that claim, as well as Reeve's contention that Sunday's victory should provide a major shot of confidence. The Lynx had failed to close the deal in four of five games earlier this season that were decided by three points or fewer. Though they lost their grip on a 10-point lead with six minutes left -- the sixth time this season they've let a double-digit lead get away -- they dug in this time.
Given the way the season has gone, it's understandable that the victory felt so monumental. But if the Lynx don't use this as a springboard to more consistent success, it becomes meaningless.
With Augustus returning from knee surgery, Lindsay Whalen taking over at point guard and Rebekkah Brunson joining fellow All-Stars Houston and Nicky Anosike, the Lynx began the season in a swirl of excitement. They haven't delivered nearly enough of it. The Lynx are shooting 39 percent this season, worst in the WNBA, while allowing opponents to shoot 46 percent, tied for the league's second-worst mark. They are 5-8 at home; Tulsa is the only team with fewer home victories.
The surgeries that delayed Augustus' return and ended Candice Wiggins' season haven't helped. Neither has the chronic instability created by five coaching changes in the past five years. But those excuses only go so far, and to Reeve's credit, she has not relied on them.
Though the Lynx haven't made the playoffs since 2004, there is still much to like about the franchise, which only makes its lack of success more frustrating. Augustus is a true star. Many players exude charisma and passion, and their community engagement adds to their appeal. Lynx games provide a family-friendly atmosphere -- rare in pro sports these days -- as well as an important showcase for strong female athletes.
Some fans of women's sports focus so firmly on that big-picture view that they are loath to criticize results. But women's teams should be held to a standard of success, just as men's teams are.
The Lynx were expected to improve significantly and make the playoffs this season, realistic goals for a team with their talent. There is no reason to expect anything less now. If the Lynx are to make good on that, they must view Sunday's big victory as a starting point, not an end in itself.
"To follow through and get the win was really big," Whalen said. "But we have to come back focused. We're fighting for a playoff spot, and so is Connecticut. [Sunday] was a good start, a good step, but we have to keep it going."
Rachel Blount • rblount@startribune.com
