The point guard position is the leader for any team, and fortunately for the Minnesota Lynx, they have been transformed ever since they signed their point guard, Courtney Williams. In her eight-year career, she made a home in Connecticut before bouncing around the league. Making an impact at every destination, Williams brought her scrappiness and affected each game beyond the box score. Now on the Lynx who are making a title run, she is proving to be what they’ve been missing to be a championship contender.
Last season the Lynx lost in the first round of the playoffs, after finishing with a 19-21 record. Already proving themselves as a playoff-caliber team, they needed a hard-nosed, veteran point guard to take them to the next level. Williams signed with Minnesota after a great season in Chicago, where she averaged 10.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game. Entering 2024 free agency, the Lynx chose to add her as the starting point guard. In her second straight season playing all 40 games, Williams averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. Minnesota has made a tremendous jump from last season to this season, finishing with a 30-10 record, good for second in the league and most wins in franchise history. Their elite defense has helped them become championship contenders, and Williams has played a huge role.
The Lynx defense this season improved to an elite level after being towards the bottom last season. They had a 105.7 defensive rating in 2023 (10th), and made the biggest jump this season with a 94.8 rating, ranking second in the league. That improvement was partly due to the play of Williams, who also improved to one of the top defensive guards in the league. She didn’t lead the league in steals or blocks per game, but her defensive presence was among the best during the season. Among the qualifying players, she leads in individual defensive rating at 90.2 and ranks fourth in defensive win-shares at 0.199. Defensive win shares are a measure of a player’s contribution to a team’s win total. The team around Williams improved in both offense and defense, but Minnesota felt like she filled a hole in an important position. Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve praised Williams after their recent playoff win against the Connecticut Sun, stating how important she is and will continue to be on their run. “Courtney’s way with this team is exactly what was missing from our team last year. Not just in her ability to score the ball, but her ability to play make and make our team better.” With a franchise star like Napheesa Collier leading the way, Reeves didn’t downplay Williams' impact. She especially emphasized how important Williams is to winning games in the postseason. “If we can win another game (like game three vs Connecticut), Courtney is going to be a big reason why.” Williams has been vital for the Lynx in the playoffs, and it's evident she wants to beat her former team in the semi-finals.
After being drafted in the first round to Phoenix, Williams played the first portion of her career in Connecticut. She was traded to Atlanta in 2020 after previously making a finals appearance, then she reunited with the Sun in 2022. In the 2024 semi-finals, many of her former teammates like Dewanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas are on the other side of this matchup. Williams is also facing off against her unofficial rival, Marina Mabrey, who was traded to the team before the All-Star break. Playing against a former team in a playoff situation adds extra motivation for any player, but Williams has stayed focused on doing her part to help Minnesota win. When discussing the Lynx success story this season, one of the biggest contributors has been their point guard, Courtney Williams.
