Lynx’s Whalen Guides Williams in Stellar Season of Growth

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Lindsay Whalen, a Hall of Famer recently transitioned to assistant coach for the Minnesota Lynx, is mentoring point guard Courtney Williams as they embark on the 2025 WNBA season. Their relationship is pivotal as both are adapting to the challenges posed by the game.

Whalen joined the Lynx in 2010 and recalls her first year under head coach Cheryl Reeve, saying it took her a full season to fully grasp the team’s system. Now, she is guiding Williams through similar hurdles after the latter’s inaugural season with the Lynx in 2024.

“It’s great to see Whay in that space. I’m really proud to have that,” Reeve noted, emphasizing how Whalen’s insights are valuable to Williams. The duo’s growing connection is helping establish chemistry both on and off the court.

Williams, who averaged 11.1 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game in her first season, is seeing improvement in her performance statistics this season, contributing significantly to the team defensively.

“The amount that Courtney communicates is at such a high level,” Whalen said. She admires Williams’ defensive skills and willingness to learn, noting that their ongoing collaboration is already yielding results.

Williams expressed her excitement about the mentorship, stating, “Being able to look over and ask her, ‘what have you seen?’ is going to be a game changer for me.”

With both players committed to developing a strong player-coach dynamic, their collaboration sets a promising tone for the Lynx’s aspirations in 2025. “It starts with our point guards and I want to be right there with them,” Whalen said.

As the season progresses, Williams and her fellow guard, Natisha Hiedeman, have been impressing fans and analysts alike with their performance. Hiedeman praised the team culture, underscoring the importance of their shared journey.

The Lynx continue to build on their rich history as they aim for another title, with Whalen’s guidance proving essential in Williams’ evolution into a key player.