Minnesota Lynx Standing Tall in Latest WNBA Power Rankings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joe Rutland | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 5:45 PM ET

The Minnesota Lynx stand head and shoulders above the rest of the WNBA competition this season with a 17-2 record. Despite losing in the Commissioner's Cup final to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, Minnesota still has firepower to steer its ship.

Of course, the main culprit in the Lynx offense remains Napheesa Collier. The early WNBA MVP candidate is averaging 24.3 points per game, eight rebounds and 3.3 assists through the team's 19 games, according to StatMuse. She has delivered game after game for Minnesota.

With this happening, it's not a surprise that the Lynx are still in the No. 1 spot in the latest WNBA Power Rankings, according to The Athletic.

Karlie Samuelson's loss may open up time for Diamond Miller in Lynx starting lineup

Yet the team did get some bad news last week as Karlie Samuelson was lost for the season due to a foot injury. Who will Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve look at to fill Samuelson's spot? Diamond Miller could be the one, according to The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant.

Diamond Miller on playing against Angel Reese given their history from Maryland

“She knows me, I know her, we’re every competitive. This goes back to Maryland days In the summer when it’s just pick up… it honesty gave me chills, like it feels like I’m at Maryland” pic.twitter.com/8QQ91VvEWA
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) July 7, 2025

"Now that Karlie Samuelson is out for the season with a foot injury, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve has to start trusting Diamond Miller," Merchant wrote. "Natisha Hiedeman can’t be the only guard off the bench, and 20-year-old Anastasiia Kosu won’t be ready in time for the postseason. It has to be Miller.

"After Miller got hurt and lost her starting spot to Bridget Carleton in 2024, she only reached double-figure minutes eight times over 36 games.

"Two of those were contests that Napheesa Collier missed. Miller hasn’t had a lot of time to prove herself, but if she is to be counted on in the postseason, Reeve has to start building trust in her now. To wit, Miller has averaged 13 minutes since Samuelson went out."

Losing Samuelson and her veteran presence is something that Minnesota didn't want to happen. Yet injuries are part of the game. Reeve, who has been magical in putting out effective offensive and defensive game plans, will have to dig into her coaching experience at this point.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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