Cheryl Reeve demands Lynx ‘toughen up’ after being bullied by Dream

With the Minnesota Lynx clashing with the Atlanta Dream on Sunday, the team would end up losing disappointingly, 89-81, leading to a frustrated reaction from head coach Cheryl Reeve. Though the Lynx led by solid performances from Napheesa Collier and Olivia Miles, the team couldn’t get it done on Sunday, with Reeve pointing out one aspect they need to get better at.

Speaking to the media after the loss, Reeve would point out the team’s composure during the contest, saying Minnesota needs to “toughen up,” according to Andrew Dukowitz.

“We have to toughen up, and we have to exploit the physicality; we aren’t exploiting it,” Reeve said. “We are being guarded in a way that should be illegal, but we are not putting the referees in a position that they see it. So you can’t fade away; you have to have a power, way about you, right? You got to go with force wherever you are going. If you’re able to do that, you’re able to play against physicality and have success. So these two games were good for us for sure.”

Cheryl Reeve on the physicality the Dream and Valkyries played with

“We have to toughen up, and we have to exploit the physicality, we aren’t exploiting it. We are being guarded in a way that should be illegal, but we are not putting the referees in a position that they see it.… pic.twitter.com/U9grGEQ4ML

— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) August 30, 2026

Lynx’s Cheryl Reeve on how loss prepares them for the playoffs 

The rookie sensation in Miles would lead the Lynx with 21 points on seven of 14 shooting from the field, while Collier and Kayla McBride both had 17 points. Atlanta would no doubt control the game physically, outrebounding Minnesota, 37-32, and also on the offensive glass, 8-6, with Reeve saying that this outing was a “good look at what playoffs are going to be.”

“Freedom of movement is a thing on the first game of the year; it doesn’t become a thing in the playoffs,” Reeve said, via Dukowitz. “Physicality and reaching and grabbing, players cutting and chucking them and all that. That’s going to be the norm; whether they say that’s going to be the case, it’s going to be the case, it’s the playoffs.”

Cheryl Reeve on the loss to Atlanta

“I think it’s a good look at what playoffs are going to be. Freedom of movement is a thing on the first game of the year, it doesn’t become a thing in the playoffs. Physicality and reaching and grabbing, players cutting and chucking them and… pic.twitter.com/O0UUq7ZD92

— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) August 30, 2026

At any rate, the Lynx enter the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Break on a two-game skid, as the team still has a WNBA-leading 31-9 record and next faces the New York Liberty on Sept. 18.

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