The Minnesota Lynx are coming off a great win against the Washington Mystics the other night. They would come into tonight’s game against the Golden State Valkyries looking for that same result.
Golden State came to play tonight as they were able to hustle and make the best of their paint touches. It was Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes who led the charge for Golden State as they combined for 36 of their 71 points.
Tiffany Hayes was locked in from the start and didn’t look back as she was able to make some tough shots over Lynx defenders. Hayes even had a stretch where she lost her shoe and hit a 3 pointer and forced a turnover on the defensive end. Overall her shot making ability and energy defensively was in full display. Hayes was 8/11 from the field for 23 points and the Valkyries needed every point to even be close.
Kayla Thornton had 13 points with 10 rebounds tonight against Minnesota. She always plays tough against the Lynx but the Valkyries just couldn’t get it done when it mattered the most. Napheesa Collier was a huge reason why Golden State didn’t get the win as well.
The Minnesota Lynx have been clicking on all cylinders as a unit and tonight it showed as 8 players had 5 points or more. Napheesa Collier struggled in the 1st quarter in back to back games but the MVP front runner continues to finish games with 20+ points. Napheesa was 8/11 from the field to finish with 22 points and 6 rebounds on the night. She was battling for position against Thornton/Billings all night. One thing about Phee that the Valkyries learned is that she’s going to keep coming at you and she did just that.
Courtney Williams didn’t have her big assist night but she was able to make some timely buckets to help Minnesota when it counted the most. The mid-range master has been lighting it up from the 3 point line as of late as she was 3/8 from downtown and finished with 15 points. Courtney affects the game in many ways with rebounding and deflections and the Lynx needed her energy as well.
The Lynx will need all that energy and more as they come back tomorrow to play the Chicago Sky who come into town Top 5 in rebounding. It should be an aggressive game in the paint and Minnesota could be down Alanna Smith who injured her knee tonight in the 1st half against Golden State.
The Minnesota Lynx lost a tough one against the Indiana Fever in the Commissioner’s Cup and in great Lynx fashion bounced right back.
The Washington Mystics came out swinging in this game as they were making it tough for the Lynx around the rim. Shakira Austin asserted herself in the paint and the Lynx had to adjust to the physicality that Washington was playing with and they did just that. Austin finished the game with 10 points and 5 rebounds as Jessica Shepard, Napheesa Collier, and Alanna Smith made it tough on her.
The unsung hero for the Washington Mystics tonight was Lucy Olsen as she was magnificent off the bench for Washington tonight with 19 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Olsen was slithery with her cuts and was putting pressure on the Lynx defense when she was in attack mode. It’s sometimes those players that aren’t on the scouting report that can creep up on you and have an amazing game out of nowhere. Lucy Olsen proved that always being ready in the moment can workout for the better as she kept the Mystics within range until that 4th quarter. Aaliyah Edwards poured in 15 points with 6 rebounds while being able to get to her spots and make the Lynx work. The Mystics tried everything in their power to keep the Lynx down but Napheesa Collier woke up in the second half of play.
The Minnesota Lynx go where Napheesa Collier goes and she was able to finish tonight with 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Napheesa was able to get to her spots and that was largely due to some nasty passes from Courtney Williams. Phee struggled early in this game but wasn’t to be denied in the 2nd half as she came out on fire. The great thing about the Lynx this year is that they’re deep and can throw different players at you ever time. This roster has been built for a championship run and they can easily can do it.
Minnesota Timberwolves (Finished 2024-25 Season 49-33, 6th in Western Conference)
With the 17th & 31st picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in a great position to add to their already stacked lineup. There could be some changes on the horizon in the offseason for the Timberwolves when it comes to player options/free agency. The best way to prepare for those situations is to plan accordingly in the NBA Draft, where you can swing for a home run pick that can change the trajectory of your team’s success. Since the year 2000, there have been 4 players who were NBA All-Stars who were drafted at number 17 (Josh Smith, Jrue Holiday, Danny Granger, and Roy Hibbert).
The 31st pick since 2000 has produced only 2 players who have made a significant impact on their teams. One of them was Nic Claxton, and the other is Andrew Nembhard, as both have thrived in the NBA so far with that selection in their drafts. It just shows that if you have the right player and the right fit anything’s possible. The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off the Western Conference berth for a second time in two years and they need a piece that can contribute to help get them over the hump. That player can currently be on the roster as well as last year, they added Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr through the NBA Draft. Below we will discuss the top players that could be available when the Timberwolves make their 17th and 32nd picks on Wednesday night.
The Timberwolves need some versatility with whoever they pick in the NBA Draft and the 5 players that we will focus on all bring something to the table that can help the Timberwolves in the 2025-2026 season.
The Minnesota Timberwolves should have their eyes on Nique Clifford in the draft, as he’s exactly what they need in the lineup, as his game will translate to the NBA with ease. Clifford averaged 18.9 ppg, 9.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game at Colorado State last season. Clifford has the ability to get a triple-double every time on the floor as he’s an elite rebounder and can also drop dimes to his teammates in transition.
Last season at Colorado State, Nique had 15 double-doubles on the year and was a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Nique Clifford was named to the All-Mountain West Men’s Basketball 1st Team and All-Mountain West Defensive Team. He can be that Swiss Army knife type of player that the Timberwolves have been looking for to insert into the lineup with instant effort, hustle, and energy. He’s someone who can score those hard baskets, but also doesn’t mind getting in the paint to clean up as well with the big men on the glass.
The Timberwolves are looking to run and defend, while adding youth so that plays right into the playing style of Clifford. We saw last season that Nique can get it going as he had a season-high 36 points against Boise State and can get to the glass as he had a season-high with 17 rebounds against Loyola Marymount.
The conference wasn’t as strong as others, so the talent he faced might be an issue, but you can’t deny his talent because he’s someone who can come in with Dillingham and Shannon Jr to make some serious noise on the 2nd unit. Clifford will need to improve on his shooting percentage in the NBA, but with great coaching, that can be adjusted, as you can see the improvements that Chris Hines has made with Anthony Edwards.
Derik Queen (Maryland) Freshmen 6″10 246lb Center
Derik Queen came on the scene last season at Maryland and turned heads instantly. His game is like a mix of Zach Randolph and Pau Gasol as he finishes with true finesse. At Maryland, Queen was able to put the NCAA on notice as he was able to dominate in the paint game after game. Queen averaged 16.5 ppg, 9 reb, and 1.9 ast per game at Maryland, which was impressive. Queen would be a great fit with the Timberwolves’ second unit as he can bring some paint presence that can play alongside Naz Reid, or if things change this offseason for Minnesota.
I believe that Minnesota would be a good landing spot for him because he can be used right away, as his touch with the ball is exactly what this team needs in the paint. Queen lives for the big moments, as you could tell from his buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s his confidence that also has NBA teams wanting to take him in the NBA Draft. Just imagine Derik Queen getting the chance to learn from Rudy Gobert and get hyped up by Anthony Edwards on a daily basis.
Derik Queen will have to learn a lot about the NBA before he makes a serious impact, and that would start at the NBA Summer League, where I believe he will be able to put on a show just like Shannon Jr did last summer. If the Timberwolves can get Queen at pick 17, that would be a huge steal, as some drafts have him going between 8-18 on NBA Draft boards.
The offensive side of Queen will flourish, but he will need to work on his defense, especially if he wants to get some true minutes in the Chris Finch system. Queen has that factor that every NBA team would love to have on their team when it comes to a true locker room guy that helps with the chemistry. You can’t pass up on raw talent, and Derik is a straight hooper it’s that simple as he was able to showout in the Big 10 as the Freshmen of the Year.
Walter Clayton Jr (Florida) Freshmen 6″3 195lb Guard
Walter Clayton Jr is a straight-up sniper, and the NBA is all about 3&D with a sprinkle of playmaking ability. Walter Clayton Jr has the potential to be one of the Splash Cousins in the NBA, and it would be huge for the Timberwolves to add that type of shooting to the second unit with Donte Divincenzo. Walter’s coming off one of the best seasons in college basketball, winning the NCAA Championship, NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, First Team All-American, and First Team SEC, just to name a few.
The Timberwolves could use more shooting on the team, and this could be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to 3-point shooting alongside Anthony Edwards. This season at Florida, Clayton Jr averaged 18.3 ppg, 3.7 reb, and 4.2 ast on 45% shooting from the field. Clayton Jr has shown the ability to hit some tough shots under pressure, and that’s the type of player that Minnesota needs, who can add to the depth. The defensive side of things will be interesting to follow from Waltor Clayton Jr because he did give up some easy looks to other teams.
I think a heavy dose of coaching from Coach Finch and shadowing Donte would be really good for his career, as they both do similar things, but WCJ is a lot cheaper when it comes to salary.
The run that Walter Clayton Jr went on this season at Florida was special, and his NCAA Tournament was just as impressive, so I would love for him to get to the Timberwolves at 31 if he’s still sitting there at the moment. Walter Clayton Jr dropped 25+ 8 times this season for Florida and put the team on his back, so if he can do that in college, I like his chances in the NBA. He’s one of the smoothest shooters in the whole NBA Draft, if not the best, but he needs the chance to be great at the NBA level. This pick has the potential to have huge upside for the future to come for Minnesota if they get the chance to snag him.
Johni Broome (Auburn) Senior 6″10 210lb Forward
The Timberwolves need someone who can be aggressive on the boards, but at the same time be able to run that fast break as well. Broome reminds me of a young Daniel Gafford as he’s a complete monster on the boards. On the season, at Auburn, Broome averaged 18.6 ppg, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. Broome did it all for Auburn, and he was the reason they were number one all season long.
Broome has won a lot of awards this season (The Sporting News Player of the Year, Consensus first-team All-American, Pete Newell Big Man Award, Karl Malone Award, SEC Player of the Year, and 2× First-team All-SEC (2024, 2025). Broome was a double-double machine under Bruce Pearl, and he can be a great player who can fit alongside Naz Reid or Julius Randle this upcoming season. Broome’s one of the players that does the dirty work, and he doesn’t mind the fact that he probably won’t have plays run for him. Broome’s a true sponge, and he’s someone who could learn a lot from a player like Jaden McDaniels.
Broome’s a slasher and someone that can knock down the shot when he’s given the chance, too, as we’ve seen, but he will get those put-backs and will flourish in the PickNRoll. Broome can be that spark that the Timberwolves need, and I think under Coach Finch, he can truly take that next step on the defensive end as well. The best part about this pick is the fact that Broome has been in all the pressure moments you can be in for a college player, so he will be poised in the NBA.
He showed a lot of glimpses of being great during his time at Auburn, and he can show that same thing in the NBA with the Timberwolves. If Broome is sitting there at the 31st pick for Minnesota, I wouldn’t mind them picking him up at all, as he will be a great fit.
Maxime Raynaud (Stanford) Senior 7″1 250lb Center
The Maxime Raynaud is a sneaky good pick that I would love Minnesota to go after in the NBA Draft. Maxime will be able to get the center minutes on the second unit, and his presence in the paint being 7″1 but with movement is exactly what the Timberwolves need alongside Naz Reid. At Stanford, Maxime was a rebounding machine as he was 9th in the country, averaging 10.6 per game. His 20.2 ppg would put him at 15th in the country, but he has pure touch with the ball and can knock down the jumper.
When Maxime’s on the run in the fast break with Rob Dillingham, people would understand what I’m talking about. He can go up and get the alley oop, and he can also put pressure on defenses with his drives to the rim. The quickness that he plays with for being 7″1 is very impressive, and he would instantly be able to use that to his advantage with the Wolves under Coach Finch.
The Wolves need a little jolt of youth in the second lineup, and this could be a huge help to their offense/defense. The sky’s the limit for this kid as he has shown promise throughout his time in the NCAA, but it’s time to see if that can translate over to the NBA. This fit would be perfect as the Timberwolves already have their core and can bring Maxime in without any pressure to learn with Rudy Gobert, with his defense/paint presence.
Any time you can get great talent near the middle of the draft or near the end, you have to go for it. The Wolves will have the mismatch in the paint, and with his quickness in the paint, he can easily get to the bucket when given chances when teams double-team others.
Photo Credit: David Banks Imagn Images, Michael Reaves/GettyImages, MWCConnection
The Minnesota Lynx were coming into this game without the MVP front runner Napheesa Collier tonight. Without Napheesa Collier in the lineup Minnesota still has a deep rotation of players highlighted by Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride.
Both the Lynx and Sparks struggled with getting into a rhythm tonight as the game was back and forth. That’s when Kayla McBride inserted herself into the game with instant shoot making ability. Kayla was able to get to her spots and had the Sparks players confused on the defensive end. Kayla McBride is one of the most elite shooters in the world and she put the Minnesota Lynx on her back in that 2nd half. Kayla was able to get her 3 point shot going but then that opened up opportunities for her to drive in and dish to other teammates. Kayla finished with 29 points and showed up when Coach Reeve needed her the most especially with Napheesa Collier out. McBride has talked about playing with joy and if she continues to play with that joy the Lynx can be holding that championship trophy.
Tonight Courtney Williams was McBrides running mate and was able to pour in 18 points on her own while defending Plum on the other end. Courtney was able to flourish in her own way getting others involved while looking for her own shot. The Sparks had no answer for Williams as Courtney was able to get to her mid-range with no hesitation. The Lynx got some good minutes from Pili who was locked in on both sides tonight as well. It’s been good to see her and Diamond be able to carve out some minutes in the rotation.
The Sparks were able to get things going early but they slowed down in the 2nd half. Plum was the leading scorer for LA with 15 points. The Lynx defend really well and the Sparks has no answer for it especially with Minnesota making the right hustle plays.
The Minnesota Lynx have been hotter than a summer’s day right now in the WNBA, and it’s been special to watch. The Lynx were back at home, going against the Phoenix Mercury, who have been rattled with injuries as they’re without Copper/Thomas, but still had the star power of Satou Sabally. The Phoenix Mercury are 5-2 on the young season and have been able to put some quality wins together. They had a tall task ahead of them, as Napheesa Collier has been on a mission trying to get back to the WNBA Finals while adding some hardware.
The Phoenix Mercury came out clicking on all cylinders as Satou Sabally was extremely aggressive to start this one out. It was a great sight to see as she was going head-to-head with Napheesa Collier, the DPOY. The Mercury made it a point to get Satou involved, as she was able to score 13 points in the 1st half. Satou was able to get some put-back opportunities and was able to showcase her footwork in the paint. The other player on the Phoenix Mercury who came out of nowhere to surprise the Lynx defense was Lexi Held off the bench, as she was able to shoot 7/14 from the field. Held came into the game and gave the Mercury a spark, finishing with 16 points on the night as the Lynx let her loose on a couple of 3-pointers. The Lynx did a great job of limiting the production of Satou Sabally in the 2nd half as she only scored 2 points. Napheesa Collier was able to show why she’s the reigning defensive player of the year, taking on the challenge. It was a group effort, but Phee was able to really set the tone on how the defense was being played on Satou. The Lynx were able to crowd her and make better rotations in the 2nd half, and it slowed down the Phoenix attack compared to her getting to her spots in the 1st half.
Napheesa Collier didn’t have her best scoring output tonight, but she was effective in so many different ways with her rebounding, blocks, and deflections. Some of the things that Napheesa does on a nightly basis on the defensive end have been unheard of, and the Mercury found that out 1st hand. Napheesa finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists tonight. The Lynx squad this year has grown as a unit, and it was on full display tonight as Natisha Hiedeman was able to come off the bench and light Phoenix up all night long. Natisha has been a bright spot off the bench for the Lynx, and she has pure fun when playing out there. Tonight, she finished with 18 points and was able to shake and bake a couple of Mercury defenders whenever she wanted to. Natisha had some high praise for her teammate Alanna Smith, who was able to showcase her 3-point shot and her play-making ability with 6 assists to add to her 13 points. This Lynx team is stacked and on a mission to get back to the WNBA Finals, and next on the list is Dallas on Sunday as they look to go to 9-0 on the season.
