Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake
The Minnesota Lynx 2022 leaned on Sylvia Fowles as their dominant interior presence, with her rebounding, efficient scoring, and defensive impact anchoring the team throughout the season. Kayla McBride provided consistent perimeter scoring and floor spacing, while Moriah Jefferson handled much of the playmaking. The statistics reflect a team built around veteran leadership, strong interior play, and balanced offensive contributions, though overall production lacked the depth of the league’s top contenders.
HeatingUp Impact Index: 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) | 27.7 | High (1.2) | 14.4 | 9.8 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 60.7 | Interior anchor who remained Minnesota’s defensive foundation and most efficient scorer. Fowles controlled possessions through rebounding, post efficiency, and rim protection, while her veteran presence helped stabilize a Lynx roster undergoing significant transition. | WNBA All-Star (2022); WNBA All-Defensive First Team (2022); WNBA Champion (2017) |
| Kayla McBride | Starter/Star (1.1) | 29.8 | Medium (1.1) | 13.3 | 2.8 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 41.9 | Perimeter scorer who provided Minnesota with reliable shot creation and spacing. McBride’s ability to attack closeouts and hit difficult jumpers gave the Lynx a needed offensive outlet, especially when defenses focused on Fowles inside. | WNBA All-Star (2022) |
| Aerial Powers | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.9 | Medium (1.1) | 14.4 | 4.7 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 51.9 | Aggressive wing scorer who brought physical drives and offensive pressure to the rotation. Powers was one of Minnesota’s highest-usage perimeter players, using her strength to attack the rim while also contributing as a rebounder and playmaker. | — |
| Moriah Jefferson | Starter/Star (1.1) | 26.8 | Medium (1.1) | 10.8 | 2.5 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 44.0 | Lead guard who provided steady organization and improved perimeter efficiency. Jefferson’s ball handling, pick-and-roll control, and ability to create advantages helped the Lynx maintain structure after moving into a new offensive era. | — |
| Jessica Shepard | Key Contributor (1.05) | 26.1 | Medium (1.1) | 8.1 | 7.4 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 41.8 | Skilled forward who became one of Minnesota’s most versatile role players. Shepard’s rebounding and passing ability allowed her to function as a point-forward option, helping connect the offense while adding toughness on the glass. | — |
| Napheesa Collier | Starter/Star (1.1) | 22.8 | Medium (1.1) | 7.3 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 26.6 | Two-way star limited by injury but still provided defensive versatility and lineup flexibility. Collier’s ability to guard multiple positions and contribute across categories remained central to Minnesota’s identity despite reduced availability. | WNBA All-Star (2022); All-WNBA Second Team (2022); WNBA All-Defensive Second Team (2022) |
| Rachel Banham | Key Contributor (1.05) | 17.5 | Low (1.0) | 7.9 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 23.0 | Shooting guard who supplied perimeter spacing and quick-trigger offense. Banham’s role focused on stretching defenses with movement shooting and giving Minnesota another scoring option without requiring heavy usage. | — |
| Damiris Dantas | Key Contributor (1.05) | 17.5 | Low (1.0) | 5.1 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 20.6 | Stretch forward who provided spacing and frontcourt versatility. Dantas’ willingness to shoot from outside and make connective passes helped Minnesota maintain offensive balance around its main creators. | — |
| Natalie Achonwa | Key Contributor (1.05) | 15.1 | Low (1.0) | 5.3 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 23.7 | Reliable reserve center who brought efficient scoring and physical interior play. Achonwa’s screening, rebounding, and defensive positioning made her a dependable option behind Fowles. | — |
| Bridget Carleton | Key Contributor (1.05) | 16.8 | Low (1.0) | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 16.8 | Three-and-D wing who continued earning minutes through defensive reliability and smart spacing. Carleton’s value came from making winning plays without needing designed offensive touches. | — |
| Lindsay Allen | Bench (1.0) | 14.9 | Low (1.0) | 6.7 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 0.2 | 23.8 | Backup guard who provided efficient scoring and steady ball handling. Allen’s ability to organize second units and knock down open shots gave Minnesota additional stability at the point guard position. | — |
| Nikolina Milic | Bench (1.0) | 11.7 | Low (1.0) | 6.0 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 20.6 | International forward who contributed efficient interior scoring and rebounding in limited minutes. Milic’s size and finishing ability gave Minnesota another frontcourt option off the bench. | — |
| Yvonne Turner | Bench (1.0) | 22.0 | Low (1.0) | 6.3 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 23.6 | Veteran guard who provided ball handling and perimeter depth in a short stint. Turner’s role centered on organizing offense and applying pressure defensively rather than high-volume scoring. | — |
| Evina Westbrook | Bench (1.0) | 12.4 | Low (1.0) | 2.6 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 12.4 | Young guard developing as a defensive-minded rotation piece. Westbrook’s athleticism and ability to defend multiple positions gave Minnesota flexibility while she continued refining her offensive game. | — |
| Angel McCoughtry | Bench (1.0) | 10.0 | Low (1.0) | 6.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 23.0 | Veteran wing who provided leadership and physicality in limited appearances. McCoughtry’s experience as a scorer and defender remained valuable even in a reduced role late in her career. | WNBA All-Star (2018) |
| Kamiah Smalls | Bench (1.0) | 11.3 | Low (1.0) | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 12.6 | Reserve guard who contributed energy and defensive activity in brief opportunities. Smalls’ role was primarily developmental within a crowded Minnesota perimeter rotation. | — |
| Cierra Burdick | Bench (1.0) | — | Low (1.0) | — | — | — | — | — | Veteran depth player who provided experience and defensive versatility when available. | — |
| Elissa Cunane | Bench (1.0) | 3.3 | Low (1.0) | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.8 | Young center used sparingly while developing behind established frontcourt players. Cunane’s opportunities focused on gaining professional experience. | — |
| Rennia Davis | Bench (1.0) | 3.0 | Low (1.0) | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.0 | Reserve wing who received minimal minutes in Minnesota’s rotation. | — |
| Hannah Sjerven | Bench (1.0) | 3.0 | Low (1.0) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | End-of-rotation center providing depth behind Minnesota’s primary interior options. | — |
| Minnesota Lynx Totals | — | — | — | 151.6 | 58.2 | 35.8 | 14.9 | 463.5 | Minnesota’s 2022 season blended Sylvia Fowles’ interior dominance, Kayla McBride and Aerial Powers’ perimeter scoring, and Jessica Shepard’s all-around versatility during a major roster transition. | — |