Years of success made it easy to assume there would be more years of success for the Minnesota Lynx. And certainly reaching the WNBA playoffs can't be seen as failure. But the Lynx went through a stretch of August trouble that served as a reminder that time at the top is not guaranteed, and the Lynx began the playoffs Friday with the stated goal of regaining prominence.
Lynx Rebekkah Brunson tried to block the pass of Temeka Johnson during the first quarter. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com Lynx vs LA Sparks during the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis Min., Friday September 18, 2015. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Lynx center Sylvia Fowles stood head and shoulders above her challengers as she took a shot early in the game. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The Lynx’s Maya Moore rose for a jump shot just beyond the reach of Los Angeles’ Candace Parker during the first quarter Friday at Target Center. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
![Lynx Anna Cuz stretched out to grab a loose ball during the first quarter. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com Lynx vs LA Sparks during the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis Min., Friday September 18, 2015.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/BD3Z33BHRZZRLBRHTFM6KEWHBA.jpg?&w=1080)
![Lynx Rebekkah Brunson tried to block the pass of Temeka Johnson during the first quarter. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com Lynx vs LA Sparks during the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis Min., Friday September 18, 2015.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NI56ABYUX2ATJIMJRV7OSJKKO4.jpg?&w=1080)
![Lynx Sylvia Fowles went up a her shot surround by Sparks players during the first quarter. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com Lynx vs LA Sparks during the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis Min., Friday September 18, 2015.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/XUUPZLT2C3ZPQUSAIQDVAQQLIE.jpg?&w=1080)
![Lynx Maya Moore went up for her jumper against the Sparks Candice Parker during the first quarter. ] (KYNDELL HARKNESS/STAR TRIBUNE) kyndell.harkness@startribune.com Lynx vs LA Sparks during the first round of the WNBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis Min., Friday September 18, 2015.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TL7JUMGKS3GUM3AV7MVRBNZML4.jpg?&w=1080)
