The Minnesota Lynx were founded in 1999 and have since grown to be one of the most successful teams in the WNBA. The Lynx are known for their toughness and fighting nature and have won four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017) and have been to the finals six times. Their history is associated with such stars as Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles.
As of 2025, the Lynx have been a team that has mostly qualified for the playoffs over the last ten years, indicating a strong organisational culture and effective game plan. The team has a strong bond with the fans and has built a strong fan base that follows the team’s success and supports them throughout the season.
READ MORE: Minnesota Lynx Playoff History
How many championships have the Minnesota Lynx won?
The Minnesota Lynx have won the WNBA championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Their success is best illustrated by a string of dominance in the 2010s, where the team was in the finals of the competition for six out of seven years (2011-2017). This period was characterized by great players such as Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, and Sylvia Fowles.
At this time, the Lynx cemented themselves as one of the dominant teams in the league and always made deep playoff runs. They made it to the playoffs for several years in a row, which proved their endurance and their ability to think tactically. Mentioned below are the Finals series they have won over the years:
| Team Name | Head Coach | Against | Final Date and Year | Venue | Minnesota Lynx Wins/Losses by Game in Series |
| Minnesota Lynx | Cheryl Reeve | Atlanta Dream | October 7, 2011 | Target Center, Minneapolis | Won (3-0) |
| Minnesota Lynx | Cheryl Reeve | Atlanta Dream | October 10, 2013 | Target Center, Minneapolis | Won (3-0) |
| Minnesota Lynx | Cheryl Reeve | Indiana Fever | October 14, 2015 | Target Center, Minneapolis | Won (3-2) |
| Minnesota Lynx | Cheryl Reeve | Los Angeles Sparks | October 4, 2017 | Williams Arena, Minneapolis | Won (3-2) |
Minnesota Lynx Finals Appearance History
The Minnesota Lynx are one of the most successful teams in the WNBA when it comes to Finals appearances, especially in the 2010s. Their first finals appearance was in 2011, and they won their first title after they triumphed over the Atlanta Dream. This was the start of the Lynx’s reign in the league and the start of a long string of victories. They got back to the Finals in 2012 but lost to the Indiana Fever. But they lost it in 2012, only to regain it in 2013 after defeating the Atlanta Dream in straight sets.
The Lynx were back at their best in 2015 and successfully defended their title by defeating the Indiana Fever in the final. The following year, they reached the finals but lost to the Los Angeles Sparks in a closely contested five-match series. The Lynx was able to prove its mettle in the 2017 season, where they were able to clinch their fourth championship after suffering a defeat at the hands of the Sparks in the previous season.
Over these years, the Lynx were anchored by a cast of outstanding players, which included Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, and Sylvia Fowles, who were instrumental in the team’s finals appearances. The team has been able to perform well and even challenge for the championship year in and year out, making the team one of the most successful teams in the WNBA. Below is an account of the times the Minnesota Lynx have found themselves in a WNBA Finals series over the years:
| Year | Head Coach | Against | Result |
| 2011 | Cheryl Reeve | Atlanta Dream | Won (3-0) |
| 2012 | Cheryl Reeve | Indiana Fever | Lost (1-3) |
| 2013 | Cheryl Reeve | Atlanta Dream | Won (3-0) |
| 2015 | Cheryl Reeve | Indiana Fever | Won (3-2) |
| 2016 | Cheryl Reeve | Los Angeles Sparks | Lost (2-3) |
| 2017 | Cheryl Reeve | Los Angeles Sparks | Won (3-2) |
| 2024 | Cheryl Reeve | New York Liberty | Lost (2-3) |
What teams did the Minnesota Lynx lose the Championship Finals against?
The Minnesota Lynx have lost the WNBA Championship Finals against three teams:
Indiana Fever (2012):
Lynx and the Fever were the two teams that contested in the 2012 Finals. However, the Lynx were eliminated in the series 3-1, even though they had a good season. The Fever, with Tamika Catchings as their leader, played great defense and came up big in the clutch to win their first WNBA championship.
Los Angeles Sparks (2016):
The most exciting Finals series in WNBA history saw the Lynx face the Sparks. The series proceeded to the final and deciding Game 5, in which the Sparks triumphed over the Lynx with 77-76. The championship was the first for the Sparks since 2002 and was won with a last-second shot by Nneka Ogwumike.
New York Liberty (2024)
The New York Liberty came up clutch in the decisive game against the Lynx in the 2024 finals and won their first-ever WNBA title in the process.
Minnesota Lynx's Last Finals Appearance
The last time the Minnesota Lynx played in the finals (as of September 2025) was in 2024 and lost to the New York Liberty by 2-3 in a 5-game series.
READ MORE: Minnesota Lynx
FAQs on Minnesota Lynx
A. The Minnesota Lynx appeared in 7 finals series in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2024.
A. The Minnesota Lynx have won the WNBA Finals 4 times, in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017.
A. The Minnesota Lynx have 4 WNBA Championship rings.
A. The Minnesota Lynx was founded in 1999.
A. The Minnesota Lynx appeared in 26 seasons in the WNBA, of which they have made 16 playoff appearances.
