August 28, 2020
Mere months after becoming a mom, Minnesota Lynx guard Odyssey Sims showed she was back in her 2019 WNBA All-Star form as the Lynx topped the Atlanta Dream, 88-79, on Friday night.
In a season-high 26 minutes, Sims nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 9 assists, and 7 rebounds off the bench, becoming the only player in WNBA history to record such a stat line as a reserve. Friday night’s performance was the reward after months of hard work to return to the court for Sims following the birth of her son, Jaiden, in April.
“I’ve been in the gym, just waiting for my moment,” Sims said in her postgame Zoom call with media. “Obviously, I’m not gonna be playing 38-40 minutes, and that’s ok. But [Head Coach and General Manager Cheryl Reeve] upped my minutes tonight, and I’ve been waiting for the opportunity and just taking advantage of it.”
It hasn’t been an easy road back for Sims. At some points in the lead up to the season, Sims wasn’t sure if she’d be able to make the trip to Bradenton, Fla. However, Sims’ trust in Reeve and the Lynx medical team has paid dividends as the team prepares for the postseason.
“I thank Cheryl, just for protecting me,” Sims said of her Head Coach. “Of course she wants to play me, but also has to be mindful of getting me my rest. I just got back. I’m thanking her; I’m very appreciative for her in that aspect.”
The Lynx are currently fourth in the WNBA standings, with just over two weeks until the playoffs. Minnesota will need a Sims similar to the player they saw Friday night if they hope to advance through the postseason.
“I don’t know that she’ll be 100%, in terms of what we know from last year — I don’t know if that’s fair, but the best that she can be, now, for where she’s at. ” Reeve said of Sims’ progress. “It’s a harder season for her to get going physically and taking care of herself because of the every other day nature of it, but I think that’s a player that everybody knows: leaving on the bench is not a very good idea.”
Added teammate and fellow 2019 WNBA All-Star Napheesa Collier: “I’m happy for her. She worked her butt off to get back here. She’s getting back into the groove of things, so it’s nice to see her doing what she does well.
“We’re gonna need her for playoffs.”
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August 29, 2020 at 01:28PM
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Sims Flashes All-Star Form In Near-Triple-Double - MinnesotaLynx.com
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