Lynx rout Aces by 53 points behind hot-shooting Kayla McBride, but Napheesa Collier departs due to injury

Joel Rippel, Star Tribune on Aug 2, 2025

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On July 25 at Target Center, the Lynx defeated the Las Vegas Aces by 31 points, a game that coach Cheryl Reeve acknowledged was probably her team’s best of the season.

On Saturday in Las Vegas, the Lynx were even better as they defeated the Aces, 111-58, behind a dazzling first-half shooting demonstration by Kayla McBride.

However, there was one significant concern for the Lynx: Napheesa Collier left in the final minute of the third quarter after appearing to roll her right ankle. The WNBA’s leading scorer was able to walk off the floor to the locker room on her own power and did not return to the game, finishing with 18 points in 26 minutes.

The 53-point margin of victory was a WNBA record for a road game. The old mark of 45 points was set on Aug. 17, 1998, when Houston won at Washington, 110-65.

The 111 points were a season high for the Lynx, who scored 109 against the Aces in the previous meeting. The Lynx, who improved 24-5 overall and 3-0 against the Aces this season, went over 100 points for the fifth time this season and for the third time in four games. Las Vegas’ 58 points also were a season low for a Lynx opponent; the previous low was 62, also by the Aces at Target Center on June 17.

McBride, who went into the game shooting 38.4% on 3-pointers, tied a WNBA record for 3-pointers in one half by making all eight of her attempts as the Lynx made 13 of 14 3-point attempts in the first half. For the game, the Lynx were 17 of 27 (63%) from 3-point range, a franchise record for 3s made.

McBride scored 24 points in 17 1/2 minutes of the first half — including three 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds — as the Lynx built a 67-33 halftime lead. McBride made four 3-pointers in each of the first two quarters as the Lynx fell four points shy of the WNBA record of 71 points in the first half (held by the Aces). McBride did not score in the second half, missing two 3-point attempts.

Jessica Shepard had 18 points and 14 rebounds and Natisha Hiedeman added 17 points for the Lynx. Sheppard was 6 of 6 from field with eight rebounds and 14 points in the first half. Hiedeman was 7 of 10 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range.

The Lynx, who went into the game leading the WNBA in offensive and defensive rating, limited A’ja Wilson, who is averaging 22.1 points per game, to 10 points. Wilson was scoreless in the first quarter as the Lynx opened a 35-17 lead. Wilson scored 15 against the Lynx in the previous meeting.

Jewell Loyd led the Aces (14-14) with 12 points.