Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Minnesota Lynx 2017 were powered by Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, who formed one of the league’s most productive scoring duos while contributing heavily on defense and the glass. Lindsay Whalen directed the offense with steady playmaking, and Seimone Augustus added efficient veteran scoring on the wing. The statistics reflect a balanced, experienced team that excelled through efficient offense, strong rebounding, disciplined defense, and unselfish ball movement.

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Sylvia Fowles Starter/Star (1.1) 30.8 High (1.2) 18.9 10.4 1.5 3.3 89.5 Defensive anchor and interior finisher who remained Minnesota’s most reliable half-court presence. Her rebounding, rim protection, and efficient post scoring gave the Lynx a physical identity, with writers often highlighting how her mobility allowed her to defend pick-and-roll actions while dominating around the basket. WNBA All-Star (2017); All-WNBA First Team (2017); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2017); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2017); MVP voting finish (3rd, 2017)
Maya Moore Starter/Star (1.1) 31.3 High (1.2) 17.3 5.0 3.5 2.3 62.2 Primary perimeter creator who blended scoring versatility with elite two-way instincts. Minnesota relied on Moore to space the floor, attack mismatches, and carry late-clock possessions, while her improved playmaking helped balance an offense built around multiple veteran stars. WNBA All-Star (2017); All-WNBA Second Team (2017); WNBA Champion (2017)
Rebekkah Brunson Starter/Star (1.1) 26.9 Medium (1.1) 10.2 6.7 1.5 1.5 45.1 Defensive-minded forward whose value came through physical rebounding, screening, and doing the overlooked work in Minnesota’s system. Reporters frequently pointed to her veteran positioning and toughness as a reason the Lynx maintained control of possessions against bigger frontcourts. WNBA Champion (2017); WNBA All-Star (2017)
Seimone Augustus Starter/Star (1.1) 27.7 Medium (1.1) 10.9 2.9 4.0 0.7 40.7 Veteran wing scorer who shifted into a complementary role while still providing calm shot creation and secondary ball handling. Her ability to punish defensive mistakes with mid-range scoring and make smart reads helped Minnesota’s veteran-heavy lineup stay balanced. WNBA Champion (2017); WNBA All-Star (2017)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star (1.1) 23.6 Medium (1.1) 8.0 2.5 4.1 0.6 33.5 Floor general who controlled tempo more than volume, directing Minnesota’s offense through experience and decision-making. Her leadership in managing possessions, organizing sets, and creating opportunities for stars around her remained a major part of the Lynx’s championship formula. WNBA Champion (2017)
Renee Montgomery Key Contributor (1.05) 21.9 Medium (1.1) 8.0 1.6 3.4 0.8 28.8 Bench guard who provided pace, shooting, and lineup flexibility when Minnesota needed another perimeter threat. Her ability to handle pressure and hit timely threes made her a trusted rotation piece during a season where the Lynx leaned heavily on veteran depth. WNBA Champion (2017)
Jia Perkins Key Contributor (1.05) 16.3 Low (1.0) 4.2 2.0 1.4 1.1 17.4 Defensive-minded reserve guard who brought toughness and experience in limited minutes. Her role centered on perimeter pressure, energy plays, and stabilizing second units rather than carrying offensive responsibility. WNBA Champion (2017)
Plenette Pierson Key Contributor (1.05) 13.7 Low (1.0) 5.2 2.2 1.4 0.5 18.1 Stretch forward who gave Minnesota spacing and veteran toughness off the bench. Coaches and analysts often valued her ability to battle bigger players, make open shots, and provide emotional intensity in playoff-caliber situations. WNBA Champion (2017)
Natasha Howard Key Contributor (1.05) 11.7 Low (1.0) 4.3 2.4 0.7 1.1 17.9 Emerging frontcourt defender whose athleticism showed in short bursts. Used mainly as an energy big, Howard contributed with rebounding, activity around the rim, and defensive versatility that hinted at a larger future role. WNBA Champion (2017)
Alexis Jones Bench (1.0) 7.3 Low (1.0) 2.6 0.8 0.8 0.3 9.0 Young guard learning Minnesota’s structured veteran system. Her limited minutes were focused on spacing, ball security, and gaining experience alongside one of the league’s deepest rotations. WNBA Champion (2017)
Temi Fagbenle Bench (1.0) 4.2 Low (1.0) 1.2 1.0 0.0 0.3 5.0 Reserve center used in brief stretches for size and defensive activity. Her role was primarily developmental, providing frontcourt depth behind Minnesota’s established interior rotation. WNBA Champion (2017)
Cecilia Zandalasini Bench (1.0) 6.3 Low (1.0) 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.0 2.0 International prospect who joined Minnesota late in the season and received limited opportunities while adapting to the WNBA environment. Her brief appearances focused on gaining experience within a championship-level roster. WNBA Champion (2017)
Minnesota Lynx Totals — — — 91.6 37.3 22.3 13.5 369.0 Championship roster built around veteran stars, elite defense, efficient interior scoring, and one of the league’s deepest rotations. WNBA Champion (2017)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Sylvia Fowles Starter/Star (1.1) 35.4 High (1.2) 18.6 13.1 1.5 3.6 91.4 Interior anchor who controlled the championship series through rebounding, rim protection, and efficient post scoring. Minnesota leaned heavily on Fowles as the defensive backbone, and postseason coverage frequently highlighted how her ability to erase mistakes behind aggressive perimeter defenders changed opponents’ shot selection. WNBA Champion (2017); WNBA Finals MVP (2017); WNBA All-Star (2017); All-WNBA First Team (2017); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2017); All-Defensive First Team (2017)
Maya Moore Starter/Star (1.1) 33.4 High (1.2) 18.3 5.3 3.0 2.2 63.8 Versatile wing scorer who carried major offensive responsibility while defending multiple positions throughout the playoffs. Moore’s ability to stretch defenses with three-point shooting, attack closeouts, and create late-clock offense was repeatedly viewed as a key reason Minnesota’s veteran lineup remained difficult to guard. WNBA Champion (2017); WNBA All-Star (2017); All-WNBA Second Team (2017)
Seimone Augustus Starter/Star (1.1) 31.8 Medium (1.1) 13.9 4.8 3.5 0.9 50.8 Veteran scoring wing who provided Minnesota with composure in high-pressure possessions. Her mid-range shot making, secondary playmaking, and ability to punish defensive switches gave the Lynx another reliable option when opponents focused coverage on Moore and Fowles. WNBA Champion (2017)
Rebekkah Brunson Starter/Star (1.1) 28.0 Medium (1.1) 9.5 6.0 1.6 1.6 40.3 Defensive forward whose playoff value came from physical rebounding, screening, and positional intelligence rather than offensive volume. Analysts often pointed to Brunson’s ability to win extra possessions and handle difficult defensive assignments as a defining part of Minnesota’s team identity. WNBA Champion (2017)
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star (1.1) 22.9 Medium (1.1) 7.4 2.0 4.9 0.6 33.2 Veteran point guard who managed tempo and organized Minnesota’s offense during important stretches. Whalen’s playoff role was less about scoring and more about directing actions, finding cutters, and keeping a star-heavy lineup connected under pressure. WNBA Champion (2017)
Renee Montgomery Key Contributor (1.05) 17.1 Medium (1.1) 7.0 1.3 1.9 0.8 25.2 Reserve guard who supplied perimeter shooting and energy without needing plays called for her. Her ability to space the floor and defend opposing guards gave Minnesota lineup flexibility when games became more physical and rotations shortened. WNBA Champion (2017)
Jia Perkins Key Contributor (1.05) 15.8 Low (1.0) 3.3 2.0 0.9 0.9 14.7 Defensive-minded veteran reserve who contributed toughness and pressure defense in short playoff shifts. Her role was centered on disrupting opposing guards, making hustle plays, and providing experience in situations where every possession carried extra weight. WNBA Champion (2017)
Alexis Jones Bench (1.0) 6.0 Low (1.0) 2.4 0.8 1.4 0.0 9.2 Young guard used sparingly but trusted with brief minutes to provide ball handling and spacing. Minnesota’s veteran rotation limited opportunities, making her playoff appearances primarily about gaining experience within a structured championship environment. WNBA Champion (2017)
Natasha Howard Bench (1.0) 5.6 Low (1.0) 1.1 0.9 0.0 0.3 4.6 Athletic reserve forward who saw limited playoff action behind Minnesota’s established frontcourt. Her minutes focused on bringing defensive activity and learning the physical demands of postseason basketball. WNBA Champion (2017)
Plenette Pierson Bench (1.0) 5.4 Low (1.0) 1.1 0.8 0.5 0.2 5.2 Veteran stretch forward whose playoff contribution came mostly through experience, spacing, and situational minutes. Even in a reduced role, she provided another tough frontcourt option capable of handling physical matchups. WNBA Champion (2017)
Temi Fagbenle Bench (1.0) 2.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 5.0 Reserve center used in limited postseason minutes as additional frontcourt depth. Her athletic tools offered defensive potential, although Minnesota relied primarily on Fowles and Brunson for meaningful interior production. WNBA Champion (2017)
Cecilia Zandalasini Bench (1.0) 2.2 Low (1.0) 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.0 1.6 Young international wing who received brief playoff exposure while adjusting to Minnesota’s veteran system. Her role was primarily developmental, with the Lynx prioritizing established rotation pieces during their title run. WNBA Champion (2017)
Minnesota Lynx Totals — — — 79.1 44.2 15.4 10.8 344.9 Playoff rotation built around elite interior defense, veteran shot creation, and a balanced group of established contributors who executed in high-pressure situations. WNBA Champion (2017)