Minnesota Lynx Dominate Toronto Tempo in Historic WNBA Clash

The Minnesota Lynx delivered a commanding performance on May 22, 2026, routing the expansion Toronto Tempo 100–72 at Target Center. The victory underscored Minnesota’s championship pedigree while providing a harsh welcome to the WNBA’s newest franchise.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, the Lynx imposed their will on both ends of the floor. Minnesota shot 52 percent from the field and forced 18 Toronto turnovers, converting them into 26 points. The home side led by 15 at halftime and never looked back, extending the margin to as many as 30 in the fourth quarter.

Key Performers

• Napheesa Collier – The All‑Star forward recorded a game‑high 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, dominating inside and out.
• Kayla McBride – Added 22 points on 8‑of‑14 shooting, including four three‑pointers, providing crucial perimeter spacing.
• Diamond Miller – Chipped in 14 points and 6 assists off the bench, igniting a decisive second‑quarter run.

For Toronto, Kysre Gondrezick led the way with 18 points, while Aaliyah Edwards contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds in her first season with the expansion club.

Tactical Story

Minnesota’s defensive switching flustered the Tempo’s young backcourt, holding Toronto to just 38 percent shooting. The Lynx also dominated the boards (46–31), with seven offensive rebounds leading to 14 second‑chance points. Head coach Cheryl Reeve credited her team’s intensity: “We wanted to set the tone early, especially against a new team finding its identity.”

Season Implications

The win improved Minnesota’s record to 5–1, keeping them atop the Western Conference standings. Toronto fell to 2–4 in their inaugural season, but showed flashes of promise in the second half. The Lynx’s depth and experience proved too much, as they improved to 10–2 all‑time in home openers against expansion teams.