With Napheesa Collier out, Kayla McBride has become the focal point of opposing defenses. The Lynx guard is finding new ways to answer the constant attention.
MINNEAPOLIS — As Napheesa Collier remains sidelined, Kayla McBride has been an even greater priority on opposing teams' scouting reports. On Tuesday night, she responded by scoring her most points in a game this year.
McBride scored a season-high 22 points, making 7 of 10 shots and 4 of 6 from 3-point range, in the Minnesota Lynx's 100-76 win over the Dallas Wings. She also drew the assignment of guarding Dallas star Paige Bueckers.
"I just wanted to come out and be confident and let the game come to me. I feel like I've been a little tense the last couple games," McBride said. "Once the first one went down, I just let the game flow from there, played off my defense, and had fun out there."
McBride is averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season, shooting 86.7% from the foul line, and her plus-112 ranks among the team's best.
With Collier out, McBride said the constant attention has pushed her to find other ways to help.
"I've seen so many things throughout my career, so I'm not really phased by it," McBride said. "I have confidence in myself, not just as a scorer but as someone who can play the game the right way. I've enjoyed figuring out ways to contribute through defense, rebounding, and getting other people open. Using my gravity to create opportunities for teammates has been part of that process."
Head coach Cheryl Reeve highlighted that McBride's ability to contribute offensively and defensively is crucial to the Lynx's success.
"She absolutely demands those assignments," Reeve said. "She has tremendous gravity. Her screening has been terrific for us. She sacrifices herself for the team and then benefits from it because she frees herself up."
Reeve was especially pleased with the defensive matchup.
"Defensively, she was really special in her matchup on Paige Bueckers," Reeve said. "Offensively, we were a little more intentional about getting her catch-and-shoot opportunities and running some of our go-to actions for her."
McBride's night almost changed when she took a shot to the face but stayed in and was determined to make the free throw.
"No question. That was literally the first thing I said," McBride said. "I told Chuck, 'I'm not missing my free throw. If I'm gonna get hit in the face, I'm taking my free throw.'"
She later drilled a fadeaway 3 from the corner in the fourth, moments after a turnover.
"Honestly, I was just thinking, 'We got it,'" McBride said. "I had just turned the ball over and I wasn't trying to hear about it, so I felt like I needed to make up for it somehow. Those are moments where whether you make it or miss it, you've got to take the shot."
McBride said the cohesion built without Collier will pay off when the All-Star returns.
"What we've built without her is going to help us when she returns," McBride said. "We're 10-2, and I really like where we are right now."
Reeve put it more bluntly. "She might be the player who throws the biggest party when Napheesa Collier returns," the coach said.
Minnesota has won eight straight and plays at Las Vegas on Saturday.
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