The Lynx finished off an incredible first half with their 20th win of the season, including a perfect 12-0 at Target Center.
On Wednesday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, the Minnesota Lynx completed their first half schedule with a matchup against the Phoenix Mercury. It was camp day at Target Center, meaning there were plenty of kids in the building to create a ton of cheering and noise.
The Lynx started the game, as they often do, with a dominant first quarter. They outscored Phoenix 21-10, including five points from Kayla McBride and six points from Jessica Shepard off the bench.
JESS WITH THE FOOTWORK. pic.twitter.com/nRJXtju33g
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 16, 2025
The Mercury fought back to cut the lead to four at halftime. In the third quarter, the lead dropped to just three after a step-in jump shot from DeWanna Bonner. After the make, Bonner turned to the Lynx bench to say something, presumably talking a little smack.
The Lynx immediately responded to the trash-talking with a 10-0 run that effectively put the game away late in the third quarter. The run included a pair of layups from Napheesa Collier, both assisted by Courtney Williams, and was capped off with a pair of 3-pointers from Alanna Smith and Bridget Carleton.
CANADA’S FINEST. pic.twitter.com/oHQ3SE2yJ5
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) July 16, 2025
The Lynx would go on to win by a final score of 79-66. McBride, after being named as a replacement selection for the WNBA All-Star Game, scored a team-high 18 points, including two 3-pointers, five assists, and five rebounds. It was a fairly quiet game for Collier by her standards, scoring ten points on nine shots. Shepard was great off the bench with eight points, making four of her five shots.
Key Takeaway
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
A Dominant First Half
Wednesday’s victory caps off an incredible first half for the Lynx. Their record now stands at 20-4, five more wins than any other team. The win today also brought their home record to a perfect 12-0.
Not only do they have the league’s best record, but they have by far the highest point differencial in the league at +9.7 points per game. The only team withing three points per game of them is the New York Liberty at +7.0.
Coming into the season, the goal for Minnesota was obvious: to win the championship and avenge the excruciating loss in last year’s WNBA Finals. Almost any other outcome at the end of this season would likely be viewed as a failure. So far at the halfway point in the season, that goal has become even more attainable.
The Lynx have the best record in the WNBA, the leading candidate for MVP in Collier, two other All-Stars in Williams and McBride, a strong supporting cast of role players, and one of, if not the best, coaches to ever do it in Cheryl Reeve.
It’s still early, as the regular season still has almost two months left, but through the first 24 games, the Lynx have proven to be plenty capable of winning the title. Now, they just have to go do it.
Up Next
The WNBA now heads into its All-Star Break. On Saturday, Team Collier takes on Team Clark at 7:30 PM CT for the WNBA’s All-Star Game. Fans can watch the game airing nationally on ABC.
After the break, the Lynx resume with a game against the Chicago Sky at Target Center on Tuesday, July 22, at 7:00 PM CT. The game will air on ESPN 3.