Basketball in the Twin Cities felt different this past year. You could almost taste it in the air at Target Center. For a while there, everyone was talking about the "new" era, but if you look closely at the mn lynx roster 2024, it wasn't just a reboot. It was a masterclass in chemistry. Honestly, most folks expected a slow burn after the legendary Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles years finally faded into the rafters. Instead, Cheryl Reeve cooked up something that nearly took down the whole league.
The Engine Room of the mn lynx roster 2024
Let's talk about Napheesa Collier. Phee.
She isn't just a "star." She’s the sun that the rest of the Minnesota system orbits around. In 2024, she wasn't just putting up numbers—though 20.4 points and nearly 10 boards a game are nothing to sneeze at. She was the Defensive Player of the Year. That's the part people forget when they look at the box scores. She anchored a defense that felt like a spiderweb; once you got caught in it, you weren't getting out.
The roster was a weird, beautiful mix of "we've been here before" and "who is that?"
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Kayla McBride remained the flamethrower. When she gets that look in her eye, the 3-point line basically disappears. Then you had the newcomers. Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith came over from Chicago and basically acted like they’d been playing in Minnesota their whole lives. Williams brought that "point god" energy, leading the team with over 5 assists a game, while Smith was the glue.
Who actually suited up?
The lineup shifted a bit throughout the season—trades happen, injuries creep in—but the core that fans saw night in and night out was remarkably consistent. Here is the group that defined the 2024 run:
- Napheesa Collier (Forward): The MVP candidate and defensive heart.
- Kayla McBride (Guard): The veteran sharpshooter who never met a screen she couldn't navigate.
- Courtney Williams (Guard): The high-energy facilitator who made the offense "go."
- Alanna Smith (Forward): The rim protector who could also stretch the floor.
- Bridget Carleton (Forward): Canada's finest, who turned into one of the most reliable 3-point threats in the W.
- Natisha Hiedeman (Guard): Brought that spark off the bench after the trade with Connecticut.
- Diamond Miller (Guard/Forward): The young talent still finding her footing but showing massive flashes of brilliance.
- Dorka Juhász (Forward/Center): The sophomore who provided crucial size and rebounding.
- Cecilia Zandalasini (Forward): The Italian star returning to the Lynx after a long hiatus.
- Alissa Pili (Forward): The rookie from Utah who became an instant fan favorite.
- Myisha Hines-Allen (Forward): A late-season addition from Washington that bolstered the bench for the playoffs.
- Olivia Époupa (Guard): The French speedster who spent time on and off the active list.
Why the Chemistry Worked
You've probably heard analysts talk about "spacing." In Minnesota, it wasn't just a buzzword. It was a way of life. They led the league in 3-point percentage for a huge chunk of the season.
Bridget Carleton is the perfect example.
People sort of overlooked her for years, but on the mn lynx roster 2024, she became indispensable. Because Phee and Courtney Williams demanded so much attention in the paint and the mid-range, Carleton was often left alone in the corner. Bad mistake. She shot nearly 45% from deep during some stretches. It was a "pick your poison" situation for opposing coaches.
"Every player kind of resembles one of the players from the original dynasty team," Seimone Augustus said about this group.
That’s high praise. But she wasn't wrong. The way they shared the ball was reminiscent of those 2011-2017 teams. In their playoff opener against Phoenix, they had seven different players record at least three assists. That is unheard of. It wasn't hero ball; it was "find the open woman" ball.
The Mid-Season Shakeup
Don't think it was all sunshine and roses. The trade for Myisha Hines-Allen in August was a "win now" move. Cheryl Reeve saw a gap in the bench depth and filled it. Hines-Allen brought a physical presence that allowed Alanna Smith to catch a breather without the defense falling apart.
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Then there was the rookie, Alissa Pili.
Drafted 8th overall, she didn't get massive minutes every night, but the "Pili Power" chants at Target Center were real. She represents the future, a different kind of post player who can bully you in the paint or step out and hit a jumper. Even in limited time, she showed why the front office was high on her.
What Really Happened in the Finals
We have to talk about it.
The Lynx went 30-10 in the regular season. They won the Commissioner’s Cup. They were the "cardiac kids," winning Game 1 of the Finals against New York after being down by 15 points with five minutes left.
Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride, and Napheesa Collier each scored 20+ in that game. It was the first time in franchise history a trio had done that in a Finals game. But the mn lynx roster 2024 eventually ran out of gas in a heartbreaking Game 5.
Was it the officiating? Some fans think so. Was it just the sheer depth of the Liberty? Maybe. But the fact that this roster, which many predicted would be a middle-of-the-pack team, was one or two bounces away from a fifth championship says everything you need to know about the talent assembled.
Key Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Defense Wins... Almost Everything: The Lynx finished second in defensive rating. If you're building a roster, you start with a versatile "four" like Collier who can switch onto anyone.
- The "Vibe" Factor: This team genuinely liked each other. You could see it in the celebrations. In a league as competitive as the WNBA, that 5% extra effort for your teammate matters.
- Shooting is Non-Negotiable: You can't survive in the modern WNBA without at least three elite shooters on the floor. Carleton, McBride, and Smith provided that gravity.
- The Bench Matters: Natisha Hiedeman and Myisha Hines-Allen weren't just "backups." They were situational starters who changed the flow of games.
If you’re looking to track how this roster evolves into 2025 and beyond, keep an eye on the free agency status of the core. While Phee is the foundation, keeping the supporting cast like Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith together is what will determine if the Lynx stay at the top or slide back into a rebuild. The 2024 season proved that the Lynx aren't just a "legacy" franchise—they're a powerhouse right now.
Check the official WNBA transactions wire regularly as the offseason progresses, as several of these key contributors were on short-term deals that will require savvy maneuvering from the front office to keep the chemistry intact. Target Center is loud again, and it's because this specific group of women reminded everyone that Minnesota is a basketball state.
Next time you’re debating the best rosters in the league, don’t just look at the All-Star count. Look at how the pieces fit. In 2024, the Lynx pieces fit perfectly.