MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Lynx, with the league's best record, strongest defense, and an eight-game winning streak, are doing all this without Napheesa Collier.
Collier, an All-Star forward and former MVP candidate, has been out with a left ankle injury. Minnesota also played without Dorka Juhász and Emma Čechová. Despite this, the Lynx won their 10th game of the season, beating the Dallas Wings, 100-76 at Target Center—a common result during their streak.
The Lynx at one point led by as many as 27 points and limited Dallas to a 37.7% shooting percentage. Head coach Cheryl Reeve continually emphasizes the same key point.
"Our defense is why we're in a position to be successful every night," Reeve said.
Minnesota allows the fewest points in the league at 78.2 per game and has the top defensive rating in the WNBA. However, Reeve isn't overconfident because of these figures.
"Honestly, there are plenty of times when I don't even know what our record is, and that's true. It doesn't matter," Reeve said. "We're only about 25 percent through the season, and we still have a lot of work to do."
A Historic Shooting Night Against Dallas
The Wings stood no chance once Minnesota's star players took over. Olivia Miles, Natasha Howard, and Kayla McBride each scored 20-plus points with shooting percentages above 70%, making them the first trio in WNBA history to achieve this in a single game.
Miles led the team with 24 points on 7-of-10 shooting, also grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 6 assists, and recording a steal and a block. Howard scored 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. McBride matched her season high with 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three, and added 5 assists.
History unfolding for the Lynx 🤩
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 10, 2026
Tonight, the @MinnesotaLynx became the FIRST WNBA team ever to have three players total 20+ points on at least 70% shooting in one game!
Olivia Miles: 24 PTS | 70% shooting
Kayla McBride: 22 PTS | 70% shooting
Natasha Howard: 21 PTS | 80%… pic.twitter.com/2aEBBIF6dd
Minnesota finished with a 54% shooting percentage as a team, dominated the paint 46-26, and remained in control after an initial 30-18 first quarter. Courtney Williams contributed 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals.
In Dallas, Paige Bueckers scored 23 points but had 5 turnovers. Arike Ogunbowale contributed 16 points, while Azzi Fudd struggled, scoring only 6 on 2-of-12 shooting. The Wings dropped to 7-4 on the season.
Olivia Miles Keeps Carrying a Rookie's Load
Miles has been the engine of the run. Tuesday was her first career game with at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, making her just the third Lynx rookie to do it, after Collier in 2019 and Betty Lennox in 2000.
It was also her sixth straight game with at least 15 points and 5 assists, which tied Caitlin Clark for the second-longest such streak by a rookie in league history.
HAD HER LOST. 😱 https://t.co/YMpDw8px9O pic.twitter.com/YYYIEIy7a5
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) June 10, 2026
Reeve has stopped being surprised by any of it.
"Overall, though, she never seems perplexed or unsure of what to do," Reeve said. "I think she's probably seen every possible pick-and-roll coverage throughout her basketball life. She's wise beyond her years."
Miles pointed to the group around her.
"We're really good at finding the hot hand," Miles said. "Courtney got cooking early, so we kept feeding her and running actions for her. Then Tash got going inside, which opened things up for Kayla."
The Veterans Are Thriving in Bigger Roles
With Collier out, the load has fallen on Minnesota's veterans, and McBride has carried a lot of it. She drew the Bueckers assignment on Tuesday and, by Reeve's account, was "really special" on that end, all while absorbing extra defensive attention on the other.
"I have confidence in myself, not just as a scorer but as someone who can play the game the right way and do things that help us win," McBride said. "Winning has always been the way I approach the game."
Howard, meanwhile, has looked rejuvenated.
"I feel like I'm back at home again. I'm happy where I'm at. I finally have the opportunity to show my game again," Howard said. "A lot of people thought I lost it last season, but I'm back, and I'm better."
McBride has a simpler way of describing how the Lynx are sharing it.
"I said in practice yesterday that it feels like a buffet. Everybody gets something. You can take a little of this, a little of that, go back for seconds if you want," McBride said. "Everybody eats. That's been the best part of it."
Kayla McBride tonight 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) June 10, 2026
• 22 points
• 5 rebounds
• 4 assists
• 4/6 3PM
• 7/10 FG pic.twitter.com/Vmtry7fNwL
The Scary Part: Collier Is Still Coming Back
As good as the Lynx have been, they know the group is about to get better. McBride, who has played alongside Collier for five years, isn't worried about folding her back in.
"We're 10-2, and adding Phee is obviously going to be great, but I really like where we are right now as a group," McBride said.
Collier sees the same thing everyone else does. Asked what makes Minnesota one of the league's toughest outs, she kept the answer simple.
"I think the effort we have on offense and defense, every possession we're working hard," Collier said. "And we have Olivia Miles."
The Lynx will next head to Las Vegas to take on the Aces on Saturday, June 13 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
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