Last Updated on August 2, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Minnesota Lynx 2018 relied on Maya Moore as their primary offensive leader, with Sylvia Fowles providing dominant interior scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence. Seimone Augustus added veteran perimeter production, while Danielle Robinson handled much of the playmaking. The statistics reflect a balanced, experienced team built around efficient frontcourt play, strong rebounding, disciplined defense, and multiple reliable scoring options rather than a one-player offense.

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
Maya Moore Starter/Star (1.1) 31.8 High (1.2) 18.0 5.1 2.6 2.1 66.7 Dynamic perimeter scorer who remained Minnesota’s primary offensive creator, carrying heavy shot volume while stretching defenses beyond the arc. The Lynx often depended on Moore to generate difficult baskets late in possessions, with her combination of size, shooting range, and defensive activity defining her role as the team transitioned into a new era. WNBA All-Star (2018); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018)
Sylvia Fowles Starter/Star (1.1) 32.0 High (1.2) 17.7 11.9 2.2 2.6 67.6 Dominant interior presence who continued to shape games through rebounding, efficient scoring, and elite rim protection. Minnesota built much of its defensive structure around Fowles cleaning up mistakes, while her improved passing from the post helped keep double teams from completely disrupting the offense. WNBA All-Star (2018); All-WNBA First Team (2018); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2018); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018)
Rebekkah Brunson Starter/Star (1.1) 27.6 Medium (1.1) 7.2 6.8 2.4 1.3 39.1 Physical forward who remained valuable through rebounding, defensive positioning, and smart off-ball work. Although her scoring role declined, Minnesota continued relying on Brunson’s ability to handle tough assignments, set effective screens, and create extra possessions through effort plays. WNBA All-Star (2018)
Seimone Augustus Starter/Star (1.1) 26.2 Medium (1.1) 10.8 1.8 2.6 0.6 34.0 Veteran perimeter scorer who provided spacing and calm decision-making within Minnesota’s offense. Augustus was frequently used as a secondary creator, punishing defenders who focused too heavily on Moore while maintaining the mid-range craft that had defined her career. WNBA All-Star (2018)
Danielle Robinson Key Contributor (1.05) 18.6 Low (1.0) 6.5 1.8 3.3 0.9 25.0 Speed-oriented guard who gave Minnesota a different offensive rhythm with her ability to push pace and attack the paint. Her role was built around penetration, creating advantages for teammates, and changing the tempo when the veteran lineup needed more athleticism. —
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star (1.1) 19.3 Low (1.0) 5.7 2.6 3.1 0.8 27.1 Veteran point guard operating in a reduced role while still providing organization and leadership. Minnesota used Whalen primarily as a stabilizer, relying on her experience reading defenses, managing possessions, and guiding younger teammates through a demanding regular season. WNBA All-Star (2018); WNBA Champion (2017); Olympic Gold Medalist (2016)
Tanisha Wright Key Contributor (1.05) 17.8 Low (1.0) 4.3 1.6 2.0 0.6 17.9 Defensive specialist who gave the Lynx another experienced perimeter stopper. Wright’s value came from communication, physical defense, and understanding team concepts, allowing Minnesota to maintain structure even when rotating through different guard combinations. —
Cecilia Zandalasini Key Contributor (1.05) 16.5 Low (1.0) 5.7 1.9 1.1 0.3 17.8 International wing who expanded her role with improved confidence as a shooter and floor spacer. Minnesota used Zandalasini’s size and shooting ability to create lineup versatility, particularly when needing another perimeter option alongside its veteran core. FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Bronze Medalist (2018)
Temi Fagbenle Bench (1.0) 9.4 Low (1.0) 3.1 2.0 0.6 0.6 12.6 Athletic reserve forward who provided energy minutes through rebounding and defensive activity. Her role was mainly to support the frontcourt rotation, using mobility and hustle rather than offensive usage to impact games. —
Alexis Jones Bench (1.0) 8.8 Low (1.0) 3.3 0.9 0.7 0.2 10.2 Young guard developing within a veteran-heavy rotation. Jones was asked mainly to space the floor, protect the ball, and gain experience while Minnesota relied on established playmakers for larger responsibilities. —
Erlana Larkins Bench (1.0) 12.9 Low (1.0) 2.1 2.7 1.3 0.9 14.0 Physical frontcourt reserve who brought rebounding strength and defensive toughness in limited opportunities. Larkins’ value came from veteran positioning and willingness to handle difficult interior matchups rather than offensive production. —
Sydney Colson Bench (1.0) 8.5 Low (1.0) 3.5 1.0 2.0 0.5 14.0 Short-term rotation guard who provided ball handling and defensive energy in brief appearances. Her limited minutes reflected Minnesota’s crowded backcourt, but her ability to organize offense remained useful when called upon. —
Lynetta Kizer Bench (1.0) 5.6 Low (1.0) 1.6 1.5 0.6 0.1 7.6 Reserve center used for depth and interior size. Kizer’s minutes were focused on physical defense, rebounding support, and providing relief behind Minnesota’s primary frontcourt options. —
Endy Miyem Bench (1.0) 5.1 Low (1.0) 1.4 0.6 0.3 0.2 5.0 International forward who saw limited floor time while adapting to Minnesota’s system. Her role centered on providing frontcourt depth and maintaining defensive structure during short stretches. —
Minnesota Lynx Totals — — — 90.9 40.4 22.2 11.9 388.6 Veteran-driven roster built around elite interior defense, versatile scoring wings, and a deep group of experienced contributors who could execute multiple roles throughout the season. 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) 38.0 High (1.2) 18.0 12.0 3.0 1.0 89.8 Interior centerpiece who carried Minnesota’s frontcourt workload in the playoff game. Fowles controlled the paint with efficient post scoring and rebounding, while her passing from the block helped counter defensive pressure. Her ability to anchor both ends remained the foundation of the Lynx’s late-season identity. WNBA All-Star (2018); WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2018); All-WNBA First Team (2018); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2018)
Temi Fagbenle Key Contributor (1.05) 24.0 Medium (1.1) 15.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 44.1 Athletic frontcourt reserve who provided a major spark in limited playoff opportunity. Fagbenle attacked decisively around the basket, ran the floor hard, and gave Minnesota energy that contrasted with its veteran-heavy rotation. Her activity helped create a needed change of pace. —
Lindsay Whalen Starter/Star (1.1) 30.0 Low (1.0) 9.0 5.0 5.0 3.0 48.4 Veteran floor general who impacted the game through control, defense, and decision-making rather than scoring volume. Whalen’s ability to organize actions, find teammates, and compete defensively remained central to Minnesota’s reliance on experienced guards in pressure situations. WNBA All-Star (2018); WNBA Champion (2017)
Maya Moore Starter/Star (1.1) 35.0 High (1.2) 14.0 4.0 3.0 2.0 55.4 Versatile wing creator who handled difficult perimeter responsibilities while drawing significant defensive attention. Moore’s playoff role centered on shot creation, spacing, and two-way impact, though defensive focus made efficient scoring harder in this matchup. WNBA All-Star (2018); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2018)
Cecilia Zandalasini Key Contributor (1.05) 25.0 Low (1.0) 3.0 1.0 0.0 2.0 12.6 Emerging international wing trusted with extended minutes because of her shooting range and defensive instincts. Zandalasini provided lineup flexibility, using her size to guard multiple positions even while her offensive opportunities remained limited. FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Bronze Medalist (2018)
Tanisha Wright Key Contributor (1.05) 23.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 3.0 2.0 0.0 18.9 Defensive specialist who gave Minnesota another experienced perimeter presence. Wright’s value came from physical coverage, communication, and understanding rotations, allowing the Lynx to stay organized against opposing creators. —
Seimone Augustus Starter/Star (1.1) 24.0 Low (1.0) 5.0 3.0 2.0 0.0 20.0 Veteran scoring wing who worked as a secondary option alongside Minnesota’s primary stars. Augustus relied on spacing, footwork, and shot-making instincts, although the defense limited her usual offensive rhythm. WNBA All-Star (2018)
Alexis Jones Bench (1.0) 0.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Young guard who dressed but did not receive meaningful playoff minutes. Her role remained developmental behind a veteran-heavy backcourt rotation featuring established ball handlers and defenders. —
Minnesota Lynx Totals — — — 68.0 32.0 16.0 9.0 289.2 Playoff rotation centered around Sylvia Fowles’ interior dominance, Maya Moore’s perimeter creation, and a veteran group attempting to balance experience with athletic depth. WNBA Champion (2017)