After Minnesota was originally tabbed two all-star selections — Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams — Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve couldn’t help but wonder why that figure wasn’t higher.
“I don’t know why only Phee and Courtney are all-stars when you have the best team in the league by a few games,” Reeve told reporters after the rosters were announced. “There are teams that are below us in the standings by a lot that have three all-stars. Historically, teams at the top get minimum of three, oftentimes four. So, really disappointing. … We are disappointed in the coaches’ voting with regards to their selections for all-stars.”
At least one of Minnesota’s grievances has been addressed, as guard Kayla McBride was named an all-star replacement by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert on Tuesday. McBride takes the place of Atlanta Dream wing Rhyne Howard, who is expected to miss the rest of July with a knee injury.
McBride is averaging 14.1 points a game this season while shooting 38% from the 3-point line and a gaudy 94% from the free-throw line. She is second in the Association, behind only Howard, in 3-pointers made per game (2.6).
McBride leads all Lynx’s starters in defensive rating this season — Minnesota allows opponents to score only 93.5 points per 100 possessions when the guard is on the floor — and is second among starters behind only Collier in net rating (12.9).
McBride will, fittingly, play for Team Collier alongside Collier and Williams. That squad will be coached by … Cheryl Reeve. They’ll take on Team Clark, captained by Fever guard Caitlin Clark.
McBride’s inclusion leaves Alanna Smith as Minnesota’s lone remaining “snub.” The Lynx’s three all-star selections put them on par with Indiana for the most in the WNBA. This marks McBride’s fifth all-star selection.
The All-Star Game is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Indiana.
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