By: Jennifer Portee
5/22/2026
Maya Caldwell had a consistent scoring night with 16 points, and the Lynx turned in one of their most complete games of the young season, beating the expansion Toronto Tempo 100-72 in a matchup that quickly got out of hand.
From the opening quarter, Minnesota took over the pace of the game. A 9-0 run helped the Lynx build a 27-14 lead. By halftime, the score went up to a 21-point deficit, and any hopes of a Tempo comeback faded as Minnesota continued to control both ends of the floor.
What stood out most wasn’t just the margin it was how Minnesota got there.
Five players scored in double figures, with Courtney Williams adding 15 points, rookie Olivia Miles with 14, and veterans Natasha Howard and Kayla McBride each chipping in 13. The ball moved, the spacing held, and the Lynx consistently found quality looks.
They shot an efficient 55% from the field, knocked down 10 threes, and dominated the interior with 42-24 points in the paint. On the glass, Minnesota had a 46-25 rebounding advantage, limiting second chances while creating extra opportunities of its own.
Toronto, meanwhile, struggled to find its offensive rhythm.
Kia Nurse provided a spark off the bench with 23 points, and rookie Kiki Rice added 11, but the Tempo’s offense never got going. Brittney Sykes and Marina Mabrey who combined for over 60 points in their last game were held to just nine points each. Early foul trouble disrupted their flow, and Minnesota capitalized.
The loss marks Toronto’s worst defeat so far in its inaugural season, dropping the Tempo to 3-3 after back-to-back wins. Prior to Thursday, their losses weren’t blowouts.
For Minnesota (3-2), the performance signals something promising: not just the ability to win, but to do so decisively and collectively.
Both teams return to action Saturday, with Toronto hosting another expansion team, Portland, while Minnesota hits the road to face Chicago.