Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The 1999 Minnesota Lynx relied heavily on Katie Smith as their primary scorer and offensive catalyst, while Tonya Edwards provided secondary scoring and served as the team’s main playmaker. Svetlana Abrosimova added perimeter shooting, and the frontcourt supplied solid rebounding. Minnesota’s strengths included three-point shooting and free-throw accuracy, but inconsistent interior efficiency, average rebounding, and defensive struggles contributed to an offense that depended heavily on its backcourt leaders.
HeatingUp Impact Index: Team Impact Spotlight
| Player Name | Role Tier | MPG | Usage Tier | PPG | RPG | APG | STK (SPG + BPG) | Impact Index | Notes | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandy Reed | Starter/Star [1.1] | 30.3 | High [1.2] | 16.1 | 6.0 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 70.22 | Primary scoring wing who carried Minnesota’s offensive burden with a strong downhill attacking game and reliable interior finishing. Reed’s combination of size, rebounding instincts, and aggressive shot creation made her one of the Lynx’s most important offensive pieces, while her 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game showed the defensive activity coaches valued from her. | WNBA All-Star (1999), WNBA All-Rookie Team (1998) |
| Tonya Edwards | Starter/Star [1.1] | 32.2 | High [1.2] | 14.8 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.2 | 63.36 | Veteran perimeter scorer who operated as a high-volume creator, Edwards gave Minnesota a dependable late-clock option and veteran leadership. Writers frequently noted her toughness and ability to stretch defenses, with her 6.0 three-point attempts per game reflecting a role built around spacing and shot-making rather than low-usage efficiency. | WNBA All-Star (1999) |
| Katie Smith | Starter/Star [1.1] | 32.4 | Medium [1.1] | 11.7 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 45.98 | Two-way guard who blended outside shooting with defensive competitiveness, Smith was developing into the type of perimeter player coaches trusted in major minutes. Her 38.2% three-point shooting gave the offense needed spacing, while her willingness to defend opposing guards became a defining part of her identity. | WNBA Champion (2008), WNBA All-Star (2000), WNBA All-Defensive Team (2001) |
| Andrea Lloyd-Curry | Starter/Star [1.1] | 28.1 | Medium [1.1] | 6.7 | 4.3 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 36.96 | Versatile veteran forward who helped connect Minnesota’s offense through passing and smart decision-making. Lloyd-Curry was valued for doing several things well rather than dominating one area, using her experience to facilitate from the frontcourt and provide rebounding support alongside the team’s main scorers. | WNBA All-Star (1999), WNBA Champion (1998) |
| Sonja Tate | Key Contributor [1.05] | 25.9 | Low [1.0] | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 27.93 | Energy forward who contributed as a rebounder and secondary facilitator, Tate filled a connective role between Minnesota’s scorers. Her 3.1 assists per game were notable for a frontcourt player, and her defensive activity helped the Lynx maintain versatility in lineups without requiring heavy offensive usage. | — |
| Angie Potthoff | Key Contributor [1.05] | 22.2 | Low [1.0] | 4.0 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 18.69 | Rotation forward who earned minutes through effort, physical play, and willingness to handle difficult assignments. Potthoff was not a high-volume offensive option, but her rebounding and defensive contributions allowed Minnesota to use her as a dependable role player around higher-usage scorers. | — |
| Kristin Folkl | Bench [1.0] | 16.2 | Low [1.0] | 4.9 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 19.98 | Young frontcourt player who showed efficiency and athletic potential in limited minutes, Folkl gave the Lynx energy around the basket. Her .479 shooting percentage reflected a finishing-oriented role, while coaches used her more as a developmental piece than a primary rotation anchor. | WNBA All-Rookie Team (1999) |
| Annie La Fleur | Bench [1.0] | 13.3 | Low [1.0] | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 11.20 | Backup guard used mainly to stabilize second units, La Fleur provided ball movement and occasional perimeter shooting. Her role centered on keeping possessions organized rather than creating a large scoring impact, fitting a traditional reserve point guard responsibility. | — |
| Trisha Fallon | Bench [1.0] | 10.8 | Low [1.0] | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 10.40 | Reserve wing who contributed in short stretches, Fallon’s minutes were focused on defensive energy and maintaining lineup balance. She showed some shooting versatility but remained behind Minnesota’s established perimeter options in the rotation. | — |
| Adia Barnes | Bench [1.0] | 4.8 | Low [1.0] | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 5.60 | Young reserve forward who received limited opportunities while adjusting to the professional level. Barnes’ role was primarily developmental, with her physical tools and rebounding instincts providing glimpses of the player she would become. | WNBA Champion (2004) |
| Charmin Smith | Bench [1.0] | 4.3 | Low [1.0] | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 3.60 | End-of-rotation guard who provided depth but saw minimal game responsibility. Her limited appearances made evaluation difficult, with her main contribution coming through practice competition and roster support. | — |
| Minnesota Lynx Totals | – | – | – | 69.9 | 31.1 | 17.3 | 9.8 | 344.00 | Team statistical totals based on listed player averages. Minnesota relied on a balanced attack led by Reed and Edwards, combining veteran perimeter scoring with versatile defenders and secondary playmakers throughout the rotation. | — |