Even though the Minnesota Lynx roster is brimming with talent, McBride’s consistent performance is a primary reason the team holds first place.
Kayla McBride is currently shooting a career-best 45.9% from the field and 39.4% from beyond the arc, averaging 18.1 points per game. Just before the All-Star break, she surged to an average of 28.3 points.
A focal point on this 22-6 team (as of July 22), and winners of eight of their last ten games, Minnesota has the WNBA’s best season record by 2.5 games. That’s saying something because five-time All-Star and 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier was sidelined by injury and only played in her first game last night against Seattle.
With Collier out, McBride stepped up to lead the team. Her veteran presence (13 seasons) shows what experience can yield.
While McBride may well be the oil that makes the engine run smoothly, she is surrounded by a solid group of players. Much of the current buzz surrounds All-Star rookie Olivia Miles, recently out of TCU. Miles leads the team in points (19.3) and assists (6.0), a formidable combo for a first-year player. Other key contributors include guard Courtney Williams (15.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.2 APG), Nia Coffey (7.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.2 APG), and Natasha Howard (15.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.1 APG).
Team success is further bolstered by coaching legend Cheryl Reeve, a six-time WNBA champion.
Minnesota solidified its league-leading record with Wednesday night’s win in Seattle. Collier returned with a bang, scoring 24 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, a double-double, and was joined by three other players who scored ten or more points: McBride (20), Miles (13), and Howard (10).
