Dehony Carrington’s Transition to the Minnesota Lynx
Dehony Carrington has had a challenging season with the Dallas Wings. Her shooting percentage hovered around 35.4%, and she found herself often on the bench of a team struggling with one of the worst records in the WNBA. Her average of 10.4 points and three rebounds this year represents a decline from her standout performance last season when she was named most improved player with the Connecticut Sun.
However, just before the trade deadline, Carrington was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, a team currently setting the pace in the league. Although she’s still coming off the bench, this time it’s for a championship contender.
In the short time since her trade—only three games—her performance has noticeably improved. In Minnesota, she’s scoring an average of 13.3 points, shooting 62.5% from the field, a significant increase from her Dallas numbers. In Saturday’s win against the New York Liberty, she tallied 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals, hitting 6 of 10 shots. This was her highest scoring game in nearly two months, which is certainly encouraging.
She seems to be getting better looks on offense compared to her time in Dallas, mainly thanks to the Lynx’s strong ball movement and spacing. Defensively, she benefits from playing alongside more skilled defenders, which allows her to capitalize on her own strengths more effectively.
“Because no one forces anything, they just keep moving until they find great shots,” Carrington said during a post-game media session. “We run down the floor, and everyone is spinning, so that’s how I play instinctively. It was a very easy transition.”
The Perfect Defensive Fit
Last season, Carrington earned a spot on the WNBA All Defensive First Team while playing for the Sun. In her recent game on Saturday, she managed to limit one of the league’s best guards, Sabrina Ionescu, to just 10 points on four out of 15 shooting attempts. With Carrington now strengthening the Lynx’s defense, they certainly look more formidable for playoff competition.
After the game, teammate Kayla McBride remarked, “Having her seems like a luxury.”
For Carrington, the transition from the struggling Dallas team to the defensive powerhouse in Minnesota has been seamless. The Lynx boast the league’s top defensive rating and feature two candidates for Defensive Player of the Year. Carrington’s presence only raises the ceiling of Minnesota’s already strong defense.
“In the end, I just compete hard; it doesn’t depend on the scheme,” Carrington reflected. “It’s about heart, effort, and a genuine desire to succeed. When everyone aligns with that effort, things naturally fall into place.”
