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The Minnesota Lynx ended their two-game losing skid with a 95-90 win over the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis on Friday night.
Minnesota broke a 56-56 tie in the third quarter with a 26-13 run to end the frame, outscoring Indiana 32-17. Lexie Hull hit a 3-pointer to close the Fever’s deficit to 93-88 with 8.6 seconds remaining, but two Kayla McBride free throws put the game away.
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McBride finished with a game-high 29 points for the Lynx, who improved their WNBA-best record to 29-7. Jessica Shepard added 22 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists, getting her triple-double in 22 minutes, faster than any player in league history. She played 40 minutes overall. The heavy workload was partly necessary because of the ongoing absence of Napheesa Collier, who hasn’t played since Aug. 2 due to an ankle injury.
Shepard also made 10 of 11 shots, becoming the first player to record a triple-double while shooting 90% from the floor.
“Couldn’t take her off the floor,” Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said after the game, via Zone Coverage’s Andrew Dukowitz. “I think what the group needed, and what we don’t have playing without Phee is a paint presence.”
“Jess has kind of taken on the spot of Phee and has done it quite well,” she added. “Just the second time in Lynx’s history to get a triple double, almost had it at halftime.”
Kelsey Mitchell led the Fever with 27 points, shooting 5-of-7 on 3-pointers. Hull followed with 23 points, making 4-of-7 3-point attempts.
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However, Indiana’s guard injuries continued, with Odyssey Sims leaving the game with approximately seven minutes remaining and going to the locker room. Head coach Stephanie White said she will be evaluated on Saturday.
“Our players bust their ass. They battle every single game,” White said afterward, via reporter Scott Agness. “This is a special group of women, what they’ve been going through and everything that they’ve had to continue to overcome.”
With the defeat, the Fever’s record dropped to 19-17. But Indiana still holds the No. 6 seed in the WNBA standings, which would put them in the playoffs. Eight games remain on the regular-season schedule.
The Lynx and Fever face each other against on Sunday with a 7 p.m. ET tip-off.
