Lynx center Alanna Smith has found the perfect fit with the Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx were the WNBA's nice little team all season long. After a two-game win over the Mercury, the second-seeded team begins a best-of-five WNBA semifinal series with Connecticut on Sunday night at Target Center.

The reasons for the team's success are well told. Napheesa Collier has taken her game to a new level. Courtney Williams has established herself as a playful point guard. Kayla McBride hits a three-pointer at the best clip of her career. Bridget Carleton's confidence grows.

But perhaps Smith's story is the best example of the Lynx season.

She was close to ending her WNBA dream after being cut by Indiana two years ago and had a career season. After a breakout year in Chicago in 2023, Smith is averaging career highs in points (10.1), steals (1.4), blocks (1.5) and three-point shooting (39.8%).

Given the chance, it has developed into a center well tailored to the lynx's needs. Her ability to shoot fits the team's five-out scheme, giving Collier a new freedom to find her place on the team while also having deadly consequences for teams that decide Collier must play on a double team.

Smith was ranked fifth in the WNBA's Most Improved Player category. It's the second time in two years that Smith – who was third in the voting last year – finished in the top five. This should give an idea of ​​how her career develops in season six.