Cheryl Reeve breaks WNBA wins record as Lynx rebuild peaks

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve became the WNBA's all-time winningest regular-season coach on July 8, 2026, with her 380th career victory—a 86-80 road win over the Connecticut Sun. The milestone caps a rebuild led by rookie Olivia Miles and returning star Napheesa Collier as Reeve chases another title run.

Key Takeaways

• Cheryl Reeve passed Mike Thibault's 379-win mark with Minnesota's 86-80 victory over Connecticut on July 8.
• The New York Liberty denied Reeve's first record attempt on July 3, beating the Lynx 99-86 behind Breanna Stewart's 36 points.
• Reeve has coached Minnesota since 2010, winning four WNBA championships and already holding the league's postseason wins record.
• Rookie Olivia Miles and veteran Napheesa Collier give the 16-6 Lynx a deep playoff ceiling once both are fully healthy.

How Did Cheryl Reeve Break the WNBA Wins Record?

Reeve entered July tied with longtime Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault at 379 regular-season victories. Her first chance to take sole possession came July 3 at Barclays Center, but the Liberty routed Minnesota 99-86. Breanna Stewart scored 36 points, Kayla McBride led the Lynx with 18 and Courtney Williams added 16.

Five days later, Reeve made history in Uncasville. The Lynx beat the Sun 86-80 on Wednesday night to secure win No. 380 and move to 16-6—the best record in the WNBA, half a game ahead of Las Vegas and Golden State. Reeve called the record chase a distraction at shootaround before the Liberty game, telling reporters she would be glad when her team could focus on basketball again.

Why Does Reeve's Lynx Rebuild Matter Now?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse argues Reeve has turned Minnesota into a championship threat again—not by repeating the Maya Moore dynasty formula, but by proving she can build through transition. Free agency losses and ankle surgeries that sidelined Collier tested the roster, yet the Lynx stayed atop the standings behind Miles, the No. 2 overall pick known as The Spectacle.

Collier, the 2019 Rookie of the Year and recent MVP runner-up, has returned to practice and is expected back soon. Miles missed consecutive games in early July with a right calf issue after leaving the Liberty loss with cramping, but Reeve's group still pushed deep into the season without both stars on the floor. For more league coverage, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.

What Comes Next for Reeve and the Lynx?

Reeve was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on the Saturday before the record chase intensified. Her staff includes former Lynx players Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson and Janel McCarville, plus Eric Thibault—son of the coach whose mark she surpassed.

Reeve already owned the combined regular-season and playoff wins record (431) and shares the mark for most WNBA titles by a head coach with four. The Lynx reached the 2024 Finals before falling to the Liberty—the same team that briefly stalled history in Brooklyn. With Miles and Collier healthy down the stretch, Reeve's latest project could extend deep into September. Full details are in USA Today's report on the milestone night.