Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Minnesota Lynx 2021 were led by Sylvia Fowles, whose elite rebounding, efficient interior scoring, and defensive presence anchored the frontcourt. Napheesa Collier provided versatile production when available, while Kayla McBride emerged as the primary perimeter scorer and floor spacer. Layshia Clarendon directed the offense with steady playmaking, and the statistics reflect a balanced team that relied on strong interior play, efficient shooting, and experienced contributors across the rotation.

NO. PLAYER POS. HT. WT. BIRTH DATE COLLEGE
1 Natasha Mack F-C 6-4 182 November 3, 1997 Angelina College, Oklahoma State
2 Crystal Dangerfield G 5-5 130 May 11, 1998 UConn
3 Aerial Powers G 5-11 170 January 17, 1994 Michigan State
5 Linnae Harper G 5-7 160 January 31, 1995 Kentucky, Ohio State
6 Bridget Carleton F 6-2 190 May 22, 1997 Iowa State
7 Layshia Clarendon G 5-9 158 May 2, 1991 California
10 Jessica Shepard F 6-4 175 September 11, 1996 Notre Dame
11 Natalie Achonwa F 6-3 198 November 22, 1992 Notre Dame
12 Damiris Dantas C-F 6-4 203 November 17, 1992
15 Rachel Banham G 5-10 181 July 15, 1993 Minnesota
21 Kayla McBride G 5-11 179 June 25, 1992 Notre Dame
22 Cierra Burdick F 6-2 172 September 30, 1993 Tennessee
24 Napheesa Collier F 6-1 182 September 23, 1996 UConn
34 Sylvia Fowles C 6-6 219 October 6, 1985 LSU

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) 30.1 High (1.2) 16.0 10.1 1.4 3.6 74.8 Dominant interior anchor who remained Minnesota’s defensive identity and most efficient scoring option. Fowles controlled the paint with elite finishing, rebounding, and rim protection, while her ability to erase mistakes allowed the Lynx to play more aggressively around her. WNBA All-Star (2021); All-WNBA Second Team (2021); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2021)
Napheesa Collier Starter/Star (1.1) 34.6 High (1.2) 16.2 6.6 3.2 2.6 65.5 Versatile forward who carried Minnesota’s offensive creation responsibilities while guarding premium matchups. Collier was asked to score from different areas, facilitate from the elbow, and provide defensive versatility, making her the central piece of the Lynx’s system. WNBA All-Star (2021); All-WNBA Second Team (2021); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2021)
Layshia Clarendon Starter/Star (1.1) 25.7 Medium (1.1) 10.4 3.1 5.7 0.6 44.6 Experienced playmaker who stabilized Minnesota’s offense with strong decision-making and ball movement. Clarendon’s ability to run pick-and-rolls, create for teammates, and defend multiple perimeter positions became especially important as the roster balanced veteran stars with younger players. —
Kayla McBride Starter/Star (1.1) 31.6 Medium (1.1) 13.7 3.6 2.3 1.0 44.4 Shot-making guard who provided perimeter scoring and late-clock creation. McBride’s reputation as a tough, high-volume scorer translated into a major role with Minnesota, where her three-point shooting helped open space for Collier and Fowles inside. WNBA All-Star (2021)
Aerial Powers Key Contributor (1.05) 22.1 Medium (1.1) 13.4 3.6 2.1 0.8 41.8 Athletic wing scorer who attacked the basket and created offense through physical drives. Powers gave Minnesota another aggressive option capable of putting pressure on defenses, although injuries limited her availability during parts of the season. —
Damiris Dantas Key Contributor (1.05) 23.8 Low (1.0) 7.7 4.0 2.3 0.7 30.8 Stretch forward who provided spacing and secondary playmaking within Minnesota’s frontcourt rotation. Dantas’ willingness to shoot from outside helped maintain offensive balance, while her passing added another layer to the Lynx offense. —
Crystal Dangerfield Key Contributor (1.05) 20.1 Low (1.0) 7.7 2.0 2.8 0.8 26.4 Young guard adjusting from a primary role into a complementary position. Dangerfield’s quickness and shooting ability remained valuable, but Minnesota shifted more creation responsibilities toward Clarendon and McBride. WNBA Rookie of the Year (2020); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2020)
Bridget Carleton Key Contributor (1.05) 19.3 Low (1.0) 4.8 2.3 1.5 1.0 18.1 Reliable three-and-D wing who earned trust through defensive versatility and smart off-ball play. Carleton’s ability to guard different positions and knock down open shots made her a dependable rotation piece around Minnesota’s stars. —
Rachel Banham Bench (1.0) 12.6 Low (1.0) 5.0 1.2 1.6 0.4 16.4 Perimeter specialist who supplied shooting and offensive spacing off the bench. Banham’s quick release and movement shooting gave Minnesota another way to stretch defenses, even with limited minutes. —
Natalie Achonwa Bench (1.0) 12.0 Low (1.0) 3.7 2.1 1.2 0.8 15.6 Veteran backup center who provided steady interior minutes behind Fowles. Achonwa’s value came from screening, rebounding, and making efficient decisions rather than high usage. —
Jessica Shepard Bench (1.0) 10.5 Low (1.0) 2.0 3.2 1.7 0.3 14.4 Skilled reserve forward who contributed rebounding and passing in limited opportunities. Shepard’s ability to operate as a connective passer gave Minnesota another frontcourt option capable of keeping the offense moving. —
Cierra Burdick Bench (1.0) 3.3 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 4.6 Reserve forward who saw minimal action but provided veteran depth. Her role was primarily supporting the rotation and offering defensive flexibility when needed. —
Linnae Harper Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 End-of-rotation guard who appeared briefly during the season. Harper’s opportunities were limited behind Minnesota’s established perimeter group. —
Natasha Mack Bench (1.0) 2.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Reserve center who received limited playing time behind Minnesota’s veteran frontcourt rotation. —
Minnesota Lynx Totals — — — 115.2 43.1 28.0 15.7 421.0 Minnesota’s 2021 roster blended Fowles’ interior dominance, Collier’s two-way versatility, and a deeper perimeter group built around McBride, Clarendon, and Powers. —

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Aerial Powers Starter/Star (1.1) 32.0 High (1.2) 24.0 5.0 4.0 2.0 92.4 Aggressive scoring wing who carried Minnesota’s perimeter offense with shot creation and attacking pressure. Powers’ ability to score from three levels gave the Lynx a needed offensive spark, while her rebounding and playmaking added value beyond pure scoring. —
Sylvia Fowles Starter/Star (1.1) 32.0 Medium (1.1) 17.0 8.0 2.0 3.0 66.0 Interior force who controlled the paint through efficient scoring, rebounding, and rim protection. Fowles remained Minnesota’s defensive anchor, and her ability to finish through contact and protect the basket gave the Lynx stability in a difficult playoff environment. WNBA All-Star (2021); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2021)
Kayla McBride Starter/Star (1.1) 34.0 Medium (1.1) 19.0 7.0 2.0 0.0 61.6 Perimeter scorer who provided the shot-making Minnesota needed on the wing. McBride’s spacing and ability to attack closeouts helped stretch the defense, although turnovers increased as she took on more offensive responsibility. WNBA All-Star (2021)
Napheesa Collier Starter/Star (1.1) 35.0 High (1.2) 8.0 4.0 2.0 3.0 42.2 Versatile forward whose biggest impact came defensively rather than through scoring efficiency in this game. Collier continued handling difficult assignments, creating defensive events with steals, and contributing as a secondary playmaker despite offensive struggles. WNBA All-Star (2021); All-WNBA Second Team (2021); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2021)
Crystal Dangerfield Key Contributor (1.05) 24.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 12.6 Young guard who provided ball handling and defensive activity in a limited offensive role. Dangerfield’s responsibilities shifted as Minnesota added more veteran creators, leaving her focused on facilitating and competing defensively. WNBA Rookie of the Year (2020); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2020)
Natalie Achonwa Bench (1.0) 11.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 12.0 Reserve center who provided efficient interior minutes behind Fowles. Achonwa’s role was built around screening, finishing opportunities, and maintaining physicality in the frontcourt rotation. —
Rachel Banham Bench (1.0) 5.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 8.0 Perimeter reserve who supplied spacing and free-throw shooting in brief action. Banham’s role centered on adding offensive versatility when Minnesota needed another shooting option. —
Layshia Clarendon Key Contributor (1.05) 12.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 4.2 Veteran guard who contributed limited minutes while providing defensive experience and lineup flexibility. Clarendon’s value came more from organization and communication than box-score production. —
Bridget Carleton Key Contributor (1.05) 15.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 4.2 Three-and-D wing who contributed as a connector rather than a scorer. Carleton’s role relied on spacing, smart movement, and defensive versatility, although she had limited statistical impact in this matchup. —
Minnesota Lynx Totals — — — 76.0 29.0 15.0 10.0 311.2 Minnesota’s playoff rotation leaned on Aerial Powers’ offensive aggression, Sylvia Fowles’ interior dominance, and Kayla McBride’s perimeter scoring while Collier provided defensive versatility. —