Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve threw in the white towel early against the Indiana Fever on Tuesday. But it was more of a tactical move than an admission of defeat.

Reeve took out her starters in the second half as they were being pummeled by the Fever. She went with her second unit, led by Chloe Bibby, Dorka Juhasz, Aari McDonald, and Liatu King.

The Fever proved to be too much, running away with the easy win, 96-77, to remain in the hunt for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

After the game, Reeve explained her decision to bench her starters, as shared by Sports Illustrated's Andrew Dukowitz.

“It was apparent that maybe rest was a better option, with the playoffs starting on Sunday. We thought that first group would be better served saving legs, and not chasing a win that wasn't going to happen,” said the four-time champion coach.

Cheryl Reeve in why she played the bench unit 25 strait minutes

“It was apparent that maybe rest was a better option, playoffs starting Sunday. We thought that first group would be better served saving legs, not chasing a win that wasn’t going to happen… in situations like… pic.twitter.com/mrR8XZYdEz

— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) September 23, 2026

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Reeve tipped her hat to her shocktroopers. She said she was “really pleased” with how they performed, calling them a “silver lining” in the sorry defeat.

“In situations like this, you just try to find something you can take away, and I really appreciated King just coming in and competing at a level we hoped maybe some of the other players would have come with,” added the four-time Coach of the Year.

King finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Bibby led the scoring with 15 points on five three-pointers.

Olivia Miles did not play due to a calf injury.

Despite the embarrassing loss, the Lynx still clinched the No. 1 seed after the Golden State Valkyries were upset by the Portland Fire in overtime, 90-82, at Moda Center.