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Lynx rout Fire 107-74, Howard leads

6/17/2026

36 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Lynx Crush Fire

The Minnesota Lynx beat the Portland Fire 107-74 on Monday.
Natasha Howard scored 18 points and rookie Nia Coffey contributed 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
Minnesota forced 22 turnovers for 26 points, held a 60-36 paint edge, out-rebounded Portland 22-13 and earned a 22-11 free-throw advantage after Portland’s 24 fouls to Minnesota’s 14.

Summary

Aces Defeat Lynx

On June 13, 2026, the Las Vegas Aces beat the Minnesota Lynx 100-97, moving to 5-0 in the Cup Western Conference.
Minnesota was without starters Napheesa Collier (left ankle) and Dorka Juhász (right foot) and lost Emma Cechová to a torn ACL, thinning its rotation.
The Lynx’s bench scored seven points versus 22 from the Aces’ reserves, a gap that prompted guard Chelsea Gray to note the Cup’s $500,000 prize pool and donations.

History

Historical Context

The WNBA began in 1997 with eight teams; the Houston Comets won the inaugural title as Cynthia Cooper earned Finals MVP in each of the league’s first four championships. Expansions in 1998-1999 raised the league to twelve, and the 2020 debut of the Commissioner's Cup added a contest; the Minnesota Lynx and Las Vegas Aces, both 1997 franchises, face off in Cup and Finals games.

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Lynx Crush Fire

The Minnesota Lynx beat the Portland Fire 107-74 on Monday.
Natasha Howard scored 18 points and rookie Nia Coffey contributed 15 points, five rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
Minnesota forced 22 turnovers for 26 points, held a 60-36 paint edge, out-rebounded Portland 22-13 and earned a 22-11 free-throw advantage after Portland’s 24 fouls to Minnesota’s 14.

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