Alanna Smith could be the key to Minnesota's rise. What does this mean for the Opals in Paris?

Alanna Smith's seamless fit with the Lynx could be a boon for the team, and her own rising trajectory. Here's what it could mean for Smith's role on the Opals, as the Olympics creep ever closer.

It was meant to be all about the Seattle Storm’s new star signings when their season tipped off against the Minnesota Lynx last week, but an Australian making her team debut for the Lynx stole the show.

Alanna Smith’s rise over the past two years has been nothing short of extraordinary. She recently signed a two-year deal with the Lynx in free agency this past off-season, pairing alongside All-Star Napheesa Collier in the frontcourt.

After finishing third in the WNBA’s Most Improved Player of the Year Award last season with Chicago, Smith made the move to Minnesota and the fit looks exceptional, with Smith’s ability to space the floor, battle down low in the paint and block shots at will.

The Lynx stormed into Seattle for the season opener, and it was Smith who exploded out of the blocks and produced a career-high 22 points as Minnesota claimed an impressive 83-70 win. While she logged a career-high in scoring, her work on the defensive end was just as crucial, grabbing eight rebounds and blocking four shots.

Smith then backed that up with another monster showing in game two, also against Seattle. This time at home, Smith helped the Lynx grab a nail-biting double overtime win as she stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, six blocks (!), five rebounds, three steals and two assists.

This is a very small sample size, but through two games, Smith is averaging 19 points, 6.5 rebounds, five blocks, two assists and two steals on ridiculously efficient 71.4% shooting from deep and 56% from the field. Her work goes much deeper than the box score however, pointing towards her being a vital piece to Minnesota and the Opals in 2024.

Let’s dive into the things that have made Smith so dangerous in the Lynx’s 2-0 start to the season.

Smith has always been a tremendous competitor and her intensity has always been there, whether she’s playing two minutes or 30. Now she has a defined role that intensity is shining through more than ever as she’s running the court, screening for teammates and rolling to the bucket all with absolute purpose.