Before the 2010 season, Lindsay Whalen, a Lynx Hall of Famer, was traded back to her hometown Minnesota Links. She mentioned it took her a full year to completely grasp the Cheryl Reeve system and feel at ease within it. The 2011 season ended well for the Lynx, as Whalen helped lead them to their first WNBA title, becoming a vital floor general with a deep understanding of the team both on and off the court.
Fast forward to 2025, Lynx Point Guard Courtney Williams appears to be going through a similar journey. Interestingly, Williams and Whalen are navigating this phase together. Whalen lends her experience to Williams, guiding her through the same transition she experienced in her second year. Although they’ve only worked together for a few months, a strong bond is forming between Whalen, the assistant coach, and Williams, the starting point guard.
Since day one, Williams and Whalen have been dedicated to building their relationship both personally and professionally. This bond helps Williams and the other guards grow on and off the court, as Whalen offers advice and shares insights from her days as a guard and an assistant coach. Cheryl Reeve praised this dynamic, highlighting Whalen’s enthusiasm in mentoring Williams and how valued her opinion is.
Williams’ readiness to learn from Whalen, a Hall of Famer who has been through the same process, has been evident this season. Williams shared that Whalen’s guidance has been a “game changer,” offering key details that help her gain an edge during games.
Williams joined the Lynx in 2024 as a seasoned point guard bringing leadership and a strong presence in the locker room, filling the void left by Whalen’s retirement in 2018. Over 40 games before the season, she averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 0.9 steals per game, shooting 44.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc in 26.5 minutes per game.
In the first 10 games of the 2025 season, Williams has been impactful on both ends of the court, improving in nearly every statistical category and strengthening the team’s defense, especially among the guards. Alongside Williams, teammate Heman has also showcased strong performance, with Whalen being recognized as a key factor in their development.
Whalen expressed excitement about working closely with both Williams and Heman, emphasizing the importance of the point guard role and her desire to support them. Williams has taken meaningful steps this season, paralleling Whalen’s second-year growth in Minnesota, strengthening their on-court synergy.
Whalen reflected on her second year, appreciating the familiarity with the playbook that Williams already possesses thanks to Cheryl Reeve’s coaching system. She remarked on the defensive improvements Williams has made, calling it a significant development from her rookie season.
The growing relationship between Williams and Whalen continues to benefit both the player and the Lynx as they strive for a championship in 2025. When thinking about Minnesota’s point guard group, the bond and progress they share stand out as key assets for the team’s success.
(All statistics are accurate as of June 12 and sourced from wnba.com unless otherwise noted.)
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Fan Take: This ongoing mentorship between Courtney Williams and Lindsay Whalen is a promising sign for the Lynx’s future, blending veteran wisdom with emerging talent. For WNBA fans, it highlights the importance of legacy and knowledge transfer in nurturing elite players, ultimately elevating the league’s competitive quality and inspiring the next generation of stars.
