When it comes to stopping the Minnesota Lynx, opponents have their hands full.
Meanwhile, the Lynx have their plates full.
“This is a buffet, it’s like a little bit of everything,” Lynx guard Kayla McBride said in regards to her team’s depth. “You can take as much as you want, you can go for seconds. … Everybody eats, and that’s been the best part about it. We really, really enjoy that part of it.”
McBride and the Lynx (10-2) will go for their ninth win in a row when they tip off against the host Las Vegas Aces (9-3) on Saturday night.
The contest carries extra drama as it features two undefeated teams in the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup standings. Both the Lynx and the Aces are 4-0 in the in-season tourney, which includes a $500,000 prize pool. The winner will become the favorite to represent the Western Conference in the Commissioner’s Cup title game on June 30.
As Minnesota rides an eight-game winning streak into the game, Las Vegas goes for its sixth win in a row. The Aces have won four of their past five games by double digits, including a 105-89 victory over the Portland Fire on Thursday night.
A’ja Wilson scored 32 points in the win for Las Vegas, which marked her second straight game with 30-plus points. Chelsea Gray was close behind as she finished with 29 points and tied a WNBA record with nine 3-pointers.
Gray will try to keep her hot streak going against the only team ahead of the Aces in the WNBA standings.
“I had a couple of games where I was (like), ‘OK, I’m hitting them in practice, but not here,'” Gray said. “But you know, this is just about trusting the work.”
Wilson said her success on the court goes hand in hand with Gray’s success.
“Our trust is something we have been growing forever,” Wilson said. “Our trust, our communication, just the kind of person ‘Chels’ is. She’s a great character person. … There is a real connection that we have, and you see that on the court.”
Wilson leads the Aces with 26.4 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Chennedy Carter is next with 15.6 points per game, Jackie Young ranks third with 15.3 points per game, and Gray rounds out the top four scorers with 12.5 points per game.
Olivia Miles is the Minnesota Lynx’s top playmaker in her rookie season. She averages a team-high 17.8 points and 6.3 assists, and her quick passes have helped teammate Natasha Howard average 17.4 points operating primarily in the post.
Courtney Williams has moved to the two-guard position with Miles taking over the point. Williams has thrived in the role and ranks third on the team with 17.0 points per game. McBride rounds out the top four scorers with 13.8 points per game.
McBride knocked down four 3-pointers in her most recent game, and she continues to draw some of the toughest assignments on the defensive end of the court.
“I want to win, and I think that’s always been the name of the way I play,” McBride said. “So (I am) just kind of trying to figure out my way, whether it’s defensively rebounding (or) just getting other people open.”
–Field Level Media
