Lynx Surge Past Sky 91–68 Behind Collier’s Dominance
Lynx Overwhelm Sky 91–68 as Collier, McBride Lead the Charge
The Minnesota Lynx used a dominant second and third quarter surge to secure a 91–68 victory over the visiting Chicago Sky on Tuesday night in Minneapolis.
Napheesa Collier led the Lynx (21–4) with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and four blocks, playing a key role on both ends of the court. Kayla McBride matched her with 19 points, while Bridget Carleton contributed 11 points off the bench. The win marked Minnesota’s third straight and further solidified their position near the top of the standings.
The Chicago Sky (7–16), still grappling with inconsistency and the absence of starting guard Ariel Atkins due to a leg injury, dropped their third consecutive game. Kia Nurse paced Chicago with 16 points. Rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso each tallied double-doubles — Reese with 11 points and 11 rebounds, Cardoso with 10 points and 10 boards.
Chicago opened the game strong, taking a 24–18 lead at the end of the first quarter. A late surge featuring a driving layup from Elizabeth Williams and a 3-pointer from Rachel Banham gave the Sky early momentum.
But the Lynx responded with a commanding second quarter, outscoring Chicago 29–14 to take a 47–38 lead at halftime. A 17–5 run capped the second quarter as Alanna Smith, McBride, and Collier strung together timely baskets. McBride’s pair of three-pointers and Collier’s late layup sealed the burst.
Minnesota maintained control through the third, limiting the Sky to just 12 points and stretching their lead to 70–50. Collier and McBride continued to find rhythm, while the Lynx defense tightened.
The fourth quarter saw only one setback for Minnesota, as guard Natisha Hiedeman exited with a left ankle injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.
The win bolstered Minnesota’s status as a Western Conference powerhouse, while Chicago continues its search for answers during a challenging stretch of the season.
