The Minnesota Lynx’s longest losing streak of the season ends at two.
The Lynx overcame a 12-point deficit to defeat the Indiana Fever 95-90 in Indianapolis Friday in a rematch of the 2025 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup title game. Lynx guard Kayla McBride led the way with a game-high 29 points (10-of-19 FGs, 4-of-8 on 3-pointers), five assists and one block. Center Jessica Shepard added 22 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, marking only the second triple-double in Minnesota franchise history.
Minnesota withstood a barrage of 3-pointers from the Fever, who knocked down 10 3-pointers in the first half alone and finished shooting 65% (13-of-20) from the 3-point line. The Lynx took its first lead of the game in the third quarter and extended it to 14 points, before the Fever came within five points.
Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell finished with a team-high 27 points and five assists in the loss, while Lexie Hull recorded a new career high with 23 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Fever guard Caitlin Clark (right groin) and Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (right ankle) were both ruled out of Friday’s matchup. It marked Clark’s 14th consecutive absence and Collier’s 7th consecutive game missed.
Minnesota (29-7) has already clinched a playoff bid marking their 14th in the past 15 seasons. Indiana (19-17) is in playoff contention, sitting in sixth place in the standings.
The Fever and Lynx will face each other two more times this season after Friday’s matchup. They will meet on Sunday, Aug. 24 in Minneapolis and on Sept. 9 in Indianapolis.
Here’s a recap of Friday’s matchup between the Fever and Lynx:
Halftime: Fever 52, Lynx 50
It’s raining 3-pointers in Indianapolis.
The Fever started the game 14-20 from the field and shot 71.4% from the 3-point line, knocking down 10-of-14 shots from beyond the arc. Fever guard Lexie Hull is up to 18 points in 18 minutes (3-of-5 3PT), surpassing her previous season-high of 17 points. She’s closing in on her career-high off 22 points scored against the Seattle Storm in 2024. Kelsey Mitchell (3-of-4 3PT) added 13 points and three assists.
Despite the Fever’s barrage of 3-pointers, the Lynx only trail by two heading into halftime. Minnesota, who is coming off a 75-73 loss to the Atlanta Dream on Thursday, isn’t playing bad by any means. The Lynx are shooting 54.1% from the field and 5-of-11 from the 3-point line and have been able to hang with the Fever on second-chance points. The Lynx had 22 rebounds (7 offensive) in the first half, compared to the Fever’s 14 (1 offensive).
Lynx guard Kayla McBride has a team-high 16 points (3-of-4 3PT), while center Jessica Shepard is on triple-double watch already with 11 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Minnesota guard Courtney Williams got off to a rough start and was held scoreless, going 0-of-4 from the field and 0-of-2 from 3 so far.
End of Q1: Fever 27, Lynx 22
The Fever led the Lynx by as many as nine points in the first quarter, but Minnesota cut its deficit to five points heading into the second quarter. Fever guard Lexie Hull came out on a mission on Friday, scoring 11 of the Fever’s 27 first-quarter points. The Fever are shooting 64.3% from the field and 71.4% from the 3-point line.
The Lynx collectively shot 58.8% from the field, but Minnesota gave up seven points on four turnovers, which marks the difference in the game. Center Jessica Shepard leads the Lynx with 10 points and three rebounds.
What time is Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx?
The Indiana Fever host the Minnesota Lynx in Indianapolis at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on Friday, Aug. 22 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game will be broadcast on ION.
How to watch Indiana Fever vs. Minnesota Lynx: TV, stream
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT)
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
- TV channel: ION
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)
Indiana Fever starting lineup
The Fever are sending guard Odyssey Sims, guard Kelsey Mitchell, guard Lexie Hull, forward Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston to the floor.
Is Caitlin Clark playing today?
Clark (right groin) was ruled out of Friday’s matchup against the Lynx, marking her 14th consecutive absence and 23rd missed game overall this season. Sydney Colson (left knee), Aari McDonald (right foot) and Sophie Cunningham (right knee) are all out with season-ending injuries. Chloe Bibby (left knee) was also ruled out.
Minnesota Lynx starting lineup
Forward Bridget Carleton, forward Alanna Smith, center Jessica Shepard, guard Kayla McBride and guard Courtney Williams will start for the Lynx on Friday.
Napheesa Collier ruled out
Collier was listed as questionable ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Fever due to her right ankle, but the MVP frontrunner was downgraded to out less than an hour before tipoff.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.