Karlie

Samuelson

Having missed Minnesota’s first four games, McBride made her season debut on Tuesday. And there were no restrictions, with the veteran guard playing 31 minutes. McBride’s perimeter shooting ability gives the Lynx offense another dimension, and she finished Tuesday’s victory one blocked shot away from a complete stat line. Karlie Samuelson, who filled the void left by McBride in the first four games, finished Tuesday’s win with four points, one rebound, one assist and one three-pointer in 14 minutes off the bench.

McBride is available after missing Minnesota’s first four games and immediately slots into the starting lineup. Fantasy managers who stashed the veteran guard must ensure she’s in their active lineups. McBride replaced Karlie Samuelson, who will provide perimeter shooting off the bench. Minnesota’s other four starters are unchanged.

An active participant in Minnesota’s last two practices, McBride is on track to make her season debut Tuesday night. Whether or not she’ll move into the starting lineup immediately is unknown, with Karlie Samuelson currently serving as the starter. Whether she starts or comes off the bench, McBride will be a valuable contributor for the Lynx and should be rostered in all standard fantasy leagues.

For personal reasons, McBride has yet to appear in a game this season. However, that may change soon based on her return to practice on Sunday. The veteran guard was also present for Monday’s session as the Lynx prepare for Tuesday’s game against the Storm. Karlie Samuelson has been part of the starting lineup to begin the season, but she’ll likely slide into a key role off the bench once McBride is cleared to take on a full workload. Given her productivity, McBride can be a difference-maker for the Lynx and fantasy basketball managers once available to play.

These are the same five that started Minnesota’s preseason finale, with Shepard filling in for the injured Alanna Smith (quad). For those competing in fantasy leagues, Shepard’s short-term value increases with her move into the starting lineup. Samuelson will also have added value as the Lynx remain without Kayla McBride (personal).

McBride is finishing her season with Turkish club Fenerbahce, hence her absence for Minnesota’s season opener. How long she’ll be away from the Lynx is unknown, but the veteran guard will figure prominently in the team’s plans once she’s back stateside. Karlie Samuelson and Natisha Hiedeman are two players who will have opportunities to provide additional value with McBride sidelined.

After acquiring Chicago’s 2026 first-round pick on Sunday, the Lynx traded their 2026 first to Washington in exchange for Samuelson. Heading into her seventh WNBA season, Samuelson’s 2024 campaign was her best. Shooting nearly 40 percent from three, she averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.7 three-pointers in 24.5 minutes per game. Adding Samuelson gives the Lynx another capable perimeter shooter to supplement star Napheesa Collier after reaching the WNBA Finals last season.