“That’s why we made the trade,’’ coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Because she fits into what we did. Who she is as a person. She checks all the boxes with us.”
In nine games since joining the team Hines-Allen averaged 6.7 points, 2.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds. In the Lynx’s recently concluded three-game road trip — all victories — those numbers jumped to 7.7, 4.7 and 6.7. In Tuesday’s victory in Atlanta she scored six points, had nine boards and six assists in 21½ minutes, becoming just the fourth player in Lynx history to come off the bench and have at least six points, rebounds and assists in a game.
“It all starts with the people,’’ Hines-Allen said. “Everyone was so accommodating, super nice and genuine. It starts with that. Then, the similarities with D.C. and here, the way they play, made it a lot easier.’’
Hines-Allen is the latest in a line of Lynx players who credited Reeve with letting her play to her strengths, not placing her in a box. So Hines-Allen wasn’t asked just to battle in the post, or to help a team very much in need of defensive rebounding. She has also scored, passed.
Hines-Allen scored seven fourth-quarter points against her old team in Minnesota’s 78-71 win at Washington Sunday. The Mystics led by four when Hines-Allen stole the ball, went end-to-end, scored, was fouled and hit the free throw. Moments later she fed Collier for a layup, then scored herself.
Plus/minus is the most important stat. But Hines-Allen has been a plus player in eight of the nine games she’s played in for the Lynx, a plus 10 or better in six of them.