The Minnesota Lynx have surged to an 8-0 start in the 2025 WNBA season, matching their best beginning since the franchise’s record-setting 2016 campaign, when they opened with 11 consecutive victories.
The Lynx are one of only two undefeated teams remaining in the league alongside the New York Liberty, marking the latest point in a season where multiple franchises have maintained perfect records since 2016. The team’s latest victory came Tuesday against the Phoenix Mercury, an 88-65 triumph that extended their winning streak.
Minnesota’s most dramatic victory occurred Friday, May 30, in a nail-biting 74-71 win over the Mercury. Guard Natisha Hiedeman delivered a clutch 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds remaining to preserve the undefeated record. The narrow margin highlighted the team’s resilience, as they had won four of their previous five games by single digits.
Under head coach Cheryl Reeve’s guidance, the Lynx currently leads the Western Conference with impressive statistical marks. They rank third in the league with a 106.8 offensive rating and second with a 94.2 defensive rating. The team averages 84.9 points per game.
Franchise legacy
The 2025 start represents a return to excellence for a franchise steeped in championship tradition. The Lynx captured WNBA titles in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, establishing themselves as one of the league’s premier organizations. Their four championships tie the defunct Houston Comets and the Seattle Storm for the most in WNBA history.
The 2016 season remains the gold standard for franchise starts, as that squad opened with a league-record 11-0 record en route to a 28-6 regular season finish. That team ultimately reached the WNBA Finals before falling to the Los Angeles Sparks in five games. The current 8-0 start places this year’s squad on a similar trajectory toward championship contention.
The franchise has qualified for the WNBA playoffs in 15 of its 26 seasons, demonstrating consistent competitiveness since their 1999 inaugural campaign. Ownership recently changed hands from Glen Taylor to Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, who also purchased the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves.
The organization’s success has been built on strong player development and strategic acquisitions. Notable franchise players throughout history include Maya Moore, Katie Smith, Seimone Augustus, Minnesota native Lindsay Whalen, Rebekkah Brunson, and Sylvia Fowles.
Franchise players
Forward Napheesa Collier leads the current squad, averaging 26.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while emerging as a legitimate MVP candidate. Her two-way excellence anchors the team’s high-powered offense and stingy defense. Collier’s presence has been particularly valuable, though the team has shown the ability to maintain its perfect record even when she missed time with a knee injury.
Veterans Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams provide crucial leadership and scoring punch. McBride contributed 13 points in the Phoenix victory, while Williams added six points, four rebounds, and five assists in the same contest. Their veteran savvy has been instrumental in closing out tight games throughout the early season.
Center Alanna Smith has emerged as a key contributor, scoring 13 points against Phoenix and providing an interior presence on both ends of the court. The supporting cast includes guard Natisha Hiedeman, whose late-game heroics against Phoenix demonstrated the team’s depth and clutch gene.
The team’s defensive identity has been particularly impressive, as Minnesota leads the league with a 94.2 defensive rating for limiting opponents’ shooting efficiency. Their unselfish offensive approach has created opportunities for multiple players to contribute, with excellent ball movement and floor spacing creating open looks for their talented shooters.
The Lynx face their next test on Sunday afternoon when they play Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings in Dallas. They seek to extend their perfect start and inch closer to the franchise record established nearly a decade ago. With championship aspirations firmly in place, the Lynx’s early-season success has positioned them as legitimate contenders for their fifth WNBA title.
