Resilient and Recharged: Lynx Stay Unbeaten With Win Over Storm

The Minnesota Lynx continue to make an early statement in the WNBA’s Western Conference, extending their season-opening winning streak to 5-0 with an 82–77 victory over the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night. This hard-fought win at Target Center was marked by both a resilient bounce-back from guard Courtney Williams and the emotional return of All-Star Kayla McBride, two storylines that elevated a game already rich in competitive fire.

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Courtney Williams Rebounds — In Every Way

After a dismal shooting performance last Friday — missing all 11 of her attempts — Courtney Williams responded with a vengeance. The veteran guard scored 23 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including nine clutch points in the fourth quarter that helped seal the win. Her late-game heroics included back-to-back pull-up jumpers that gave Minnesota a critical 76–69 cushion with just over two minutes remaining.

“It was miserable,” Williams said of her previous outing. “But shoutout to my coaches, because even though it’s so frustrating, they’re challenging me to be the best version of myself.”

That version was on full display Tuesday night — a confident shooter, committed playmaker, and vocal leader. Williams also tallied five rebounds and four assists, a testament to her all-around impact.

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The Return of Kayla McBride

One of the night’s biggest emotional lifts came from Kayla McBride, who returned to action after missing the first four games of the season for personal reasons. McBride immediately made her presence felt, draining her first two 3-point attempts and playing more than 30 minutes with poise and purpose.

Her final stat line: 15 points, including three triples, and four clutch free throws in the final 23 seconds. But her impact went beyond numbers.

“I’m really, really fortunate for this group,” McBride said postgame. “From the moment I came back into practice, back into Minny, it’s been nothing but love and support. I felt great. I felt comfortable. I was happy, I was joyful.”

Head coach Cheryl Reeve noted the profound emotional lift McBride’s return gave the team, highlighting the importance of mental health and camaraderie in professional sports.

“You don’t have to be perfect. It’s OK not to be OK sometimes,” Reeve said. “She played great. We played her as if she’d been conditioning the entire time she was gone.”

McBride laughed off her lack of formal preparation, joking that her only conditioning came from a bike ride two days prior and a single practice. Yet her seamless reintegration into the lineup reflects her high basketball IQ and deep chemistry with her teammates.

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Collier Makes History, Anchors Both Ends

Napheesa Collier continues her All-WNBA-caliber season, contributing 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five steals — all in the first quarter. Her five steals tied a WNBA record for most in a single quarter, setting the tone early and sparking Minnesota to a 14–2 start.

Collier’s poise under pressure was also evident late, as she knocked down two free throws with 11.5 seconds left to help shut the door on Seattle.

Supporting Cast Shines

Alanna Smith quietly delivered another strong two-way performance, scoring 16 points and pulling down seven rebounds. Her timely 3-pointer in the fourth quarter, combined with Williams’ offensive surge, helped the Lynx weather Seattle’s comeback attempts.

Minnesota’s defense started hot but struggled at times with perimeter containment and interior breakdowns, allowing Seattle to cut a once double-digit lead to just one early in the fourth quarter. But clutch shooting and poise under pressure defined the Lynx's finish.

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Storm Stay Close, But Can’t Close

Seattle, now 3–2, was led by Gabby Williams with 20 points and Skylar Diggins-Smith with 18. Nneka Ogwumike added 11 points, and Erica Wheeler chipped in 10, including a late 3-pointer that briefly kept Seattle within striking distance.

The Storm battled back from a 26–11 first-quarter deficit and trailed by just three entering the final frame. But turnovers and missed opportunities down the stretch cost them a chance to topple the unbeaten Lynx.

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Bigger Than Basketball

Beyond the stats and box score, Tuesday’s game was a powerful example of personal perseverance and collective belief. Whether it was Williams silencing the doubts after a brutal night, McBride finding joy in her return, or Reeve emphasizing mental health and empathy, the Lynx showed that their culture is as strong as their defense.

Their 5–0 start is no fluke. This is a team with balance, chemistry, and mental toughness — attributes that could make them a legitimate contender come playoff time.

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Additional Context:

The Lynx’s hot start places them atop the Western Conference alongside other early-season favorites like the Las Vegas Aces. Their success has come despite adversity — an absent All-Star, shooting slumps, and the challenge of building chemistry with a relatively new core.

For Seattle, the game serves as both a learning experience and a positive indicator. Despite falling behind early and lacking consistency from deep, the Storm showcased resilience and depth. Diggins-Smith continues to play her way back into form, and Ogwumike’s veteran presence remains crucial.

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Up Next:

• Minnesota will look to extend their undefeated run with another home game later this week.
• Seattle returns home hoping to regain momentum in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested Western race.

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This game, above all, reminded fans that every WNBA season carries not only athletic brilliance but human stories of redemption, struggle, and the unrelenting joy of the game.