Kayla McBride Downgraded to Out as Minnesota Lynx Host Shorthanded Dallas Wings
The Minnesota Lynx will be without veteran guard Kayla McBride when they face the Dallas Wings on Monday night, as she has been downgraded to out for rest. It marks the only change to Minnesota’s status report, with no other players sidelined.
McBride has been a consistent producer this season, averaging 15.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 rebounds across 35 games. She has been especially sharp of late, averaging 19.3 points and 4.5 assists in her past four contests.
Minnesota Lynx Build on Historic Season
The Lynx (31-8) return home after clinching the WNBA’s top playoff seed and setting a new franchise record for single-season wins with Saturday’s 94-70 victory over the Connecticut Sun. Napheesa Collier continues to lead the way with 23.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, cementing her status in the MVP race.
“What does it mean? That this group is really special,” head coach Cheryl Reeve said. “That thus far in two years, they’ve won 61 games together. That’s a really, really special group. Just really happy for them.”
Even without McBride, Minnesota will look to extend its dominance against Dallas. The Lynx have won three of their past four games and nine of their last 12 overall.
Dallas Wings Continue to Battle Injuries
The Wings (9-31) arrive in Minneapolis on a seven-game losing streak and have only one win in their past 13 outings. Injuries remain the central storyline, with eight players appearing on the game status report.
Paige Bueckers (left calf) is listed as probable. Luisa Geiselsöder (right shoulder), Tyasha Harris (left knee), Haley Jones (right knee), Arike Ogunbowale (right knee), JJ Quinerly (left knee), and Li Yueru (left knee) are all out. Aziaha James (right ankle) is doubtful.
With so many absences, Dallas has turned to multiple hardship contracts. Guard Christyn Williams, signed on Friday, made her WNBA debut against Atlanta, while Amy Okonkwo has been a steady contributor since joining the roster in late August.
Despite the setbacks, Bueckers has been consistent, averaging 18.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals. She is also just 25 points shy of breaking the Wings’ franchise rookie scoring record.
“There’s a fight about us,” Bueckers said. “Whoever we have in that locker room, whoever puts on a Wings jersey that night, that’s who we’re going to war with.”
The Minnesota native will make her second professional appearance in her home state after starring at Hopkins High School.
Final Meeting of the WNBA Season
Monday marks the fourth and final regular-season matchup between the two teams. Minnesota has won all three previous contests, including a 99-84 road win on opening night and an 85-81 home win in May.
The Wings’ most recent outing was a 100-78 loss at Atlanta, where Maddy Siegrist set a new career high with 23 points. Bueckers added 16 points and matched her career best with 10 assists.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT at Target Center. The game will air on NBA TV nationally and locally on KFAA29 in Dallas-Fort Worth.
More Dallas Wings News & WNBA Rumors
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers’ Calf Issue Headlines Eight-Player Dallas Wings Injury Report vs. Minnesota Lynx
- WNBA News: “We’ll Figure This Thing Out”: Paige Bueckers Echoes Stephen Curry in Message to Dallas Wings Fans
- WNBA News: “She Shows Up Every Night”: Cynthia Cooper Lauds Paige Bueckers’ Historic Rookie Season With Dallas Wings
- WNBA News: “We’ve Got Eight, and That’s Enough”: Shorthanded Dallas Wings Fight Before Falling to Atlanta Dream in Paige Bueckers’ Return
- WNBA News: Paige Bueckers Says Body Rejected IV Before Late Scratch, Feels ‘Ready to Go’ vs. Atlanta Dream
- WNBA News: Inside Dallas Wings’ Navigation of Hardship Signings Amid Injury Crisis
- WNBA News: “Paige Will Be a Unifier”: Curt Miller Details Dallas Wings’ Roster Plan Around Paige Bueckers
