2025 Minnesota Lynx season

2025 Minnesota Lynx season
CoachCheryl Reeve
ArenaTarget Center
Attendanceper game
Results
Record18–4 (.818)
Place1st (Western)
Media
TelevisionBally Sports North
ESPN
CBS Sports Network
ION
Amazon Prime Video
2026 season →

The 2025 Minnesota Lynx season is the 27th season for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the sixteenth season under head coach Cheryl Reeve.

The season tipped-off on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Dallas against the Dallas Wings.[1]

The Lynx went under a few changes in the offseason following the 2024 season. General Manager Clare Duwelius left to become the Executive Vice President and General Manager, for the new women's 3x3 basketball league Unrivaled.[2] Forward Cecilia Zandalasini was selected in the Golden State Valkyries expansion draft.[3] After coming over to Minnesota in a trade at the end of the season, Myisha Hines-Allen signed with the Dallas Wings in February 2025.[4] Assistant Coach Katie Smith left to take an assistant position at her alma mater Ohio State, which allowed the Lynx to hire Eric Thibault and Lindsay Whalen to their staff.[5][6]

Draft

See also: 2025 WNBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Club Outcome Ref.
2 15 Anastasiia Kosu F  Russia UMMC Ekaterinburg Signed rookie contract on April 19
Made opening day roster 		[7][8]
2 24 Dalayah Daniels  United States Washington Signed rookie contract on April 19
Waived on May 7 		[7][9]
3 37 Aubrey Griffin G/F UConn Rights retained

Transactions

Main article: List of 2025 WNBA season transactions

Front office and coaching

Date Details Ref.
November 11, 2024 Associate head coach, Katie Smith, and General Manager, Clare Duwelius, left Lynx organization [10]
November 30, 2024 Hired Lindsay Whalen as an assistant coach and Eric Thibault as associate head coach [11]
June 23, 2025 Glen and Becky Taylor announced their departure from the ownership group of the Minnesota Lynx and the Minnesota Timberwolves [12]
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez became the new majority owners of the Lynx and Timberwolves [13]

Trades

April
April 13 To Minnesota Lynx
Outright 2026 first-round draft pick
Extinguished previous right to exchange 2026 first round draft picks with Chicago 		To Chicago Sky
2025 No. 11 draft pick 		[14]
April 14 To Minnesota Lynx
Karlie Samuelson 		To Washington Mystics
2026 first round pick (Minnesota’s own) 		[15]

Free agency

Re-signed / extensions

Player Date Notes Ref.
Natisha Hiedeman February 1 One-year deal [16]
Dorka Juhász May 15 Exercised team option
(Fourth-year) 		[17]
Diamond Miller
Jessica Shepard June 23 Set as active [18]

Additions

Player Date Notes Former Team Ref.
Marième Badiane February 1 Training camp contract Fenerbahçe S.K. [16]
Grace Berger February 8 Awarded off waivers Indiana Fever [19]
Kiara Leslie February 10 Training camp contract Gigantes de Carolina [20]
Camryn Taylor February 25 Esperides Kallitheas [21]
Christyn Williams February 26 Athletes Unlimited [22]
Ajae Petty April 16 Ohio State Buckeyes [23]
Reigan Richardson Duke Blue Devils [23]
Anastasiia Kosu April 19 Rookie contract
(2025 draft pick – No. 15) 		UMMC Ekaterinburg
Dalayah Daniels Rookie contract
(2025 draft pick – No. 24) 		Washington Huskies
Jessica Shepard Training camp contract Athinaikos AS Vurona [24]
Diamond Johnson April 24 Norfolk State Spartans [25]
Maria Kliundikova June 6 Rest of season contract — [26]

Subtractions / Unsigned

Player Date Reason New Team Ref.
Maïa Hirsch April 10, 2023 Unsigned draft pick
(2023 draft pick – No. 12) 		N/A – retained rights
Cecilia Zandalasini December 6, 2024 Expansion draft Golden State Valkyries [27][28]
Olivia Époupa[a] February 1, 2025 Free agency – unrestricted —
Myisha Hines-Allen February 2, 2025 Dallas Wings [29]
Aubrey Griffin April 14, 2025 Unsigned draft pick
(2025 draft pick – No. 37) 		N/A – retained rights
Kiara Leslie May 5, 2025 Waived — [30]
Christyn Williams —
Dalayah Daniels May 7, 2025 — [9]
Diamond Johnson —
Ajae Petty —
Camryn Taylor —
Dorka Juhász May 10, 2025 Suspended contract – full season N/A – retained rights [31]
Reigan Richardson May 11, 2025 Waived — [32]
Grace Berger May 14, 2025 — [33]
Marième Badiane June 4, 2025 — [34]
Jessica Shepard June 10, 2025 Suspended contract – temporary N/A – retained rights [35]
Alissa Pili July 12, 2025 Waived — [36]
  1. ^ Initially was a reserved free agent. However, did not receive qualifying offer from the Lynx prior to February 1 and so became an unrestricted free agent.

Roster

Minnesota Lynx roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHeightWeightDOBFromYrs
G/F6Carleton, Bridget6' 2" (1.88m)177 lb (80kg)1997-05-22Iowa State6
F24Collier, Napheesa6' 1" (1.85m)180 lb (82kg)1996-09-23Connecticut6
G2Hiedeman, Natisha5' 8" (1.73m)132 lb (60kg)1997-02-10Marquette6
C77Kliundikova, Maria6' 4" (1.93m)185 lb (84kg)1998-07-16Russia2
F7Kosu, Anastasiia6' 1" (1.85m)190 lb (86kg)2005-04-21RussiaR
G21McBride, Kayla5' 11" (1.8m)179 lb (81kg)1992-06-25Notre Dame11
G1Miller, Diamond6' 3" (1.91m)178 lb (81kg)2001-02-11Maryland2
G44Samuelson, Karlie 6' 0" (1.83m)162 lb (73kg)1995-05-10Stanford6
F15Shepard, Jessica6' 4" (1.93m)175 lb (79kg)1996-09-11Notre Dame4
F8Smith, Alanna6' 4" (1.93m)177 lb (80kg)1996-09-10Stanford6
G10Williams, Courtney5' 8" (1.73m)148 lb (67kg)1994-05-11South Florida9
G/F–Griffin, Aubrey  (DP)6' 1" (1.85m)2001-11-06Connecticut–
F–Hirsch, Maïa (DP)6' 5" (1.96m)2003-11-13France–
G/F–Juhász, Dorka (S)6' 5" (1.96m)201 lb (91kg)1999-12-18Connecticut2
Head coach
Cheryl Reeve (La Salle)
Assistant coaches
Rebekkah Brunson (Georgetown)
Elaine Powell (LSU)
Eric Thibault (Missouri)
Lindsay Whalen (Minnesota)
Athletic trainer
Chuck Barta (UW–La Crosse)
Assistant trainer
Brandi BlueArm (Minnesota State)
Strength and conditioning coach
Andrea Hayden (Missouri Baptist)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured
  WNBA roster page
East
ATL
CHI
CON
IND
NY
WAS
West
DAL
GS
LV
LA
MIN
PHO
SEA

Depth

Pos. Starter Bench
PG Courtney Williams Natisha Hiedeman
SG Kayla McBride Diamond Miller
Karlie Samuelson
SF Bridget Carleton Anastasiia Kosu
PF Napheesa Collier Jessica Shepard
C Alanna Smith Maria Kliundikova

Schedule

Preseason

2025 pre-season game log
Total: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1)
May: 1–1 (Home: 1–0; Road: 0–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 May 6 @ Chicago L 69–74 Alanna Smith (10) Alanna Smith (9) Hiedeman, Williams (5) Wintrust Arena
4,688 		0–1
2 May 10 Chicago W 92–87 Napheesa Collier (26) Jessica Shepard (8) Jessica Shepard (9) Target Center
7,615 		1–1
2025 pre-season schedule

Regular season

2025 game log
Total: 17–2 (Home: 11–0; Road: 7–4)
May: 6–0 (Home: 3–0; Road: 3–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 May 16 @ Dallas W 99–84 Napheesa Collier (34) Jessica Shepard (8) Courtney Williams (9) College Park Center
6,251 		1–0
2 May 18 @ Los Angeles W 83–75 Napheesa Collier (23) Jessica Shepard (10) Courtney Williams (9) Crypto.com Arena
11,170 		2–0
3 May 21 Dallas W 85–81 Napheesa Collier (28) Jessica Shepard (10) Natisha Hiedeman (8) Target Center
12,772 		3–0
4 May 23 Connecticut W 76–70 Napheesa Collier (33) Napheesa Collier (11) Jessica Shepard (4) Target Center
8,224 		4–0
5 May 27 Seattle W 82–77 Courtney Williams (23) Napheesa Collier (10) Napheesa Collier (5) Target Center
8,808 		5–0
6 May 30 @ Phoenix W 74–71 Kayla McBride (20) Jessica Shepard (10) Courtney Williams (7) PHX Arena
9,043 		6–0
June : 8–2 (Home: 5–0; Road: 3–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
7 June 1 @ Golden State W 86–75 Napheesa Collier (24) Napheesa Collier (11) Courtney Williams (5) Chase Center
18,064 		7–0
8 June 3 Phoenix W 88–65 Napheesa Collier (18) Napheesa Collier (11) Kayla McBride (7) Target Center
8,772 		8–0
9 June 8 @ Dallas W 81–65 Napheesa Collier (28) Napheesa Collier (10) Courtney Williams (8) College Park Center
6,162 		9–0
10 June 11 @ Seattle L 84–94 Napheesa Collier (25) Napheesa Collier (9) McBride, Williams (6) Climate Pledge Arena
9,722 		9–1
11 June 14 Los Angeles W 101–77 Napheesa Collier (32) Napheesa Collier (8) Napheesa Collier (6) Target Center
10,810 		10–1
12 June 17 Las Vegas W 76–62 Courtney Williams (20) Alanna Smith (13) Courtney Williams (5) Target Center
8,802 		11–1
13 June 21 Los Angeles W 82–66 Kayla McBride (29) Kliudikova, Smith (8) Hiedeman, Williams (6) Target Center
8,777 		12–1
14 June 24 @ Washington L 64–68 Alanna Smith (26) Jessica Shepard (15) Shepard, Williams (4) CareFirst Arena
4,200 		12–2
15 June 27 @ Atlanta W 96–92 (OT) Napheesa Collier (26) Alanna Smith (8) Courtney Williams (8) Gateway Center Arena
3,265 		13–2
16 June 29 Connecticut W 102–63 Napheesa Collier (23) Collier, Williams (9) Hiedeman, Williams (7) Target Center
8,821 		14–2
July: 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
Commissioner's
Cup Final 		July 1 Indiana L 59–74 Alanna Smith (15) Napheesa Collier (9) Courtney Williams (4) Target Center
12,778 		—
17 July 3 Washington W 92–75 Napheesa Collier (28) Courtney Williams (6) Courtney Williams (8) Target Center
8,824 		15–2
18 July 5 Golden State W 82–71 Napheesa Collier (22) Jessica Shepard (10) Alanna Smith (6) Target Center
8,771 		16–2
19 July 6 Chicago W 80–75 Courtney Williams (25) Courtney Williams (8) Courtney Williams (6) Target Center
8,810 		17–2
20 July 9 @ Phoenix L 71–79 Courtney Williams (21) Alanna Smith (9) Courtney Williams (5) PHX Arena
10,083 		17–3
21 July 10 @ Los Angeles W 91–82 Natisha Hiedeman (18) Napheesa Collier (8) Courtney Williams (7) Crypto.com Arena
18,199 		18–3
22 July 12 @ Chicago L 81–87 Napheesa Collier (26) Collier, Williams (8) Courtney Williams (8) Wintrust Arena
9,025 		18–4
23 July 14 @ Chicago Wintrust Arena
24 July 16 Phoenix Target Center
All-Star Game
25 July 22 Chicago Target Center
26 July 25 Las Vegas Target Center
27 July 27 Atlanta Target Center
28 July 30 New York Target Center
August : 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
29 August 2 @ Las Vegas Michelob Ultra Arena
30 August 5 @ Seattle Climate Pledge Arena
31 August 8 Washington Target Center
32 August 10 @ New York Barclays Center
33 August 16 New York Target Center
34 August 19 @ New York Barclays Center
35 August 21 @ Atlanta Gateway Center Arena
36 August 22 @ Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
37 August 24 Indiana Target Center
38 August 28 Seattle Target Center
39 August 30 @ Connecticut Mohegan Sun Arena
September : 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
40 September 1 Dallas Target Center
41 September 4 @ Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena
42 September 6 @ Golden State Chase Center
43 September 9 @ Indiana Gainbridge Fieldhouse
44 September 11 Golden State Target Center
2025 season schedule

Notes:

Standings

# Team W L PCT GB Conf. Home Road Cup
1 18 4 .818 – 13–2 11–0 7–4 5–1
2 Phoenix Mercury 14 6 .700 3 8–6 9–3 5–3 4–2
3 New York Liberty 14 6 .700 3 8–2 9–2 5–4 4–1
4 Seattle Storm 13 9 .591 5 8–5 7–4 6–5 4–2
5 Atlanta Dream 12 9 .571 5.5 8–6 8–3 4–6 3–2
6 c – Indiana Fever 11 10 .524 6.5 7–5 7–6 4–4 4–1
7 Washington Mystics 11 10 .524 6.5 6–5 7–3 4–7 2–3
8 Golden State Valkyries 10 10 .500 7 5–6 7–3 3–7 3–3
9 Las Vegas Aces 10 11 .476 7.5 5–6 6–4 4–7 2–4
10 Chicago Sky 7 13 .350 10 1–8 4–4 3–9 1–4
11 Los Angeles Sparks 7 14 .333 10.5 3–10 2–8 5–6 2–4
12 Dallas Wings 6 16 .273 12 2–9 4–6 2–10 1–4
13 Connecticut Sun 3 18 .143 14.5 2–6 2–7 1–11 1–5

Notes

(#) – League Standing
c – Commissioner's Cup winners
x – Clinched playoff berth
e – Eliminated from playoff contention
Source: Overall standings and Commissioner's Cup Standings

Awards and honors

Recipient Award/Milestone Date Awarded Reference
Napheesa Collier Western Conference Player of the Week May 28 [37]
June 10 [38]
Western Conference Player of the Month – May June 4 [39]
Western Conference Player of the Month - June July 3 [40]
WNBA All-Star Captain and Starter June 29 [41][42]
Cheryl Reeve WNBA All-Star Head Coach July 3 [43]
Courtney Williams WNBA All-Star Reserve July 7 [44]

References

  1. ^ "5 Dates to Note in the 2025 Lynx Regular Season Schedule". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  2. ^ "PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S BASKETBALL LEAGUE 'UNRIVALED' NAMES CLARE DUWELIUS AS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER". prnewswire.com. Unrivaled. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  3. ^ Horstman, Tory. "Minnesota's Italian sharpshooter Cecilia Zandalasini selected by Valkyries in expansion draft". thenexthoops.com. The Next Hoops. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  4. ^ "Dallas Wings Sign Free Agent Myisha Hines-Allen". wings.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  5. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Statement Regarding Clare Duwelius and Katie Smith". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  6. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Add WNBA Champion Eric Thibault and Four-Time WNBA Champion Lindsay Whalen to Coaching Staff". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Minnesota Lynx Sign Kosu and Daniels". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. April 20, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  8. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Finalize 2025 Roster". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 15, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Minnesota Lynx Waive Four Players". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
  10. ^ Voepel, Michael (December 6, 2024). "WNBA runner-up Lynx lose GM, assistant coach". ESPN. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  11. ^ Philippou, Alexa (November 30, 2024). "Lynx add Lindsay Whalen, Eric Thibault to coaching staff". ESPN. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  12. ^ "Thank You, Minnesota". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Nelson, Joe (June 23, 2025). "'It's been the honor of our lives': Glen and Becky Taylor bid farewell as Timberwolves, Lynx owners". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  14. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Acquire 2026 First-Round Pick in WNBA Draft From Chicago Sky". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. April 13, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  15. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Acquire Karlie Samuelson From Washington Mystics". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. April 14, 2025. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Natisha Hiedeman and Sign French Center Marième Badiane". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  17. ^ Mitchell Hansen [@M_Hansen13] (May 15, 2025). "Per the #WNBA transactions page, the Minnesota Lynx have exercised their options with Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ^ Minnesota Lynx [@MinnesotaLynx] (June 23, 2025). "JESS IS BACK. 🔥" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Minnesota Awarded Grace Berger Off Waivers". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. February 8, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
  20. ^ @Lynx_PR (February 10, 2025). "NEWS: @minnesotalynx Sign Kiara Leslie to Training Camp Contract" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ @Lynx_PR (February 25, 2025). "NEWS: @minnesotalynx Sign Camryn Taylor to Training Camp Contract" (Tweet). Retrieved February 25, 2025 – via Twitter.
  22. ^ "Christyn Williams Secures Training Camp Contract with Minnesota Lynx". auprosports.com. Athletes Unlimited. February 26, 2025. Retrieved February 26, 2025.
  23. ^ a b "Minnesota Lynx Sign Petty and Richardson to Training Camp Contracts". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
  24. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Re-Sign Jessica Shepard". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. April 20, 2025. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  25. ^ Mosley, Kyle T. (April 24, 2025). "Diamond Johnson Signs WNBA Training Camp Contract With Minnesota Lynx". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  26. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Sign Maria Kliundikova". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  27. ^ "Golden State Valkyries begin constructing inaugural roster with 11 selections in 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft". nba.com. NBA.
  28. ^ Henderson, Cydney; Horrow, Ellen J. (December 6, 2024). "WNBA expansion draft live updates: Golden State Valkyries pick their players for 2025". USA Today.
  29. ^ "Dallas Wings Sign Free Agent Myisha Hines-Allen". Dallas Wings. WNBA. February 2, 2025. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  30. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Waive Kiara Leslie and Christyn Williams". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 5, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
  31. ^ "Dorka Juhász to Miss 2025 Season". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  32. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Waive Reigan Richardson". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  33. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Waive Grace Berger". lynx.wnba.com. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  34. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Waive Marième Badiane". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  35. ^ "Jessica Shepard to Compete in FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. June 11, 2025. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  36. ^ Swanson, Shelby (July 12, 2025). "Minnesota Lynx waive Alissa Pili, their 2024 first-round draft pick". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  37. ^ "Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  38. ^ "Napheesa Collier Named Western Conference Player of the Week". Minnesota Lynx. WNBA. June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  39. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Kia WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 4, 2025.
  40. ^ "Minnesota Lynx Forward Napheesa Collier Named Kia WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month". lynx.wnba.com. WNBA. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  41. ^ "Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier Named 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game Team Captains". WNBA. June 29, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  42. ^ WNBA [@WNBA] (June 29, 2025). "Napheesa Collier heads to her 5th All-Star Game as Team Collier captain for the FIRST TIME, representing the West 🌟" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  43. ^ WNBA Communications [@WNBAComms] (July 3, 2025). "With the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game head coaches slated to come from the two teams with the best winning percentage through tonight's games, the All-Star coaching staffs are now set!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  44. ^ Feinberg, Doug (July 6, 2025). "WNBA All-Star Game: Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron among reserves". Associated Press. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
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