NEW YORK -- Suzie McConnell Serio overcame a key injury to star guard Katie Smith in the Olympics to guide the Minnesota Lynx to their second consecutive playoff berth. On Saturday, she was honored with the WNBA Coach of the Year award.

McConnell Serio captured 15 of the possible 48 votes to win by the closest margin in the history of the award, edging Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault by one vote.

Despite the loss of perennial WNBA All-Star Smith for the final 11 games of the season, the Lynx finished tied for the third-best record in the WNBA at 18-16. The 18 victories by Minnesota tied a franchise record set last season.

The award was the second of the day for the Lynx, who had guard Teresa Edwards honored with the Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award for being a leader both on the court and in the community.