The Lynx were shorthanded for a while, playing without MVP candidate Napheesa Collier. Minnesota’s star forward is back on the court, but the Lynx still couldn’t face the Dallas Wings with a complete roster. Kayla McBride sat out, and DiJonai Carrington, who replaced McBride in the starting lineup, left the game in the second quarter after playing only ten minutes with a shoulder injury.
With McBride and Carrington out, the Lynx’s perimeter depth was greatly diminished. That wasn’t enough to slow them down, though. The Lynx still got a 96-71 win. Collier was unsurprisingly a huge reason for her team’s victory. Natisha Hiedeman also left her mark on the game, though.
Hiedeman played 30 minutes and finished the game with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 10 assists, and only 1 turnover. It was her first career double-double and a historic performance. Hiedman became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 20 points, 10 assists, and four made 3-pointers off the bench according to StatMuse.
With a starter and a key reserve out, Hiedeman proved that she could fill a bigger role and help carry her team to a victory. As one of the top reserves on the top seed in the league, Hiedeman made a case to be named Sixth Player of the Year early. This performance only strengthens her case.
Hiedeman is one of the best reserves in the WNBA
Natisha Hiedeman is one of three Lynx players who have not missed a game this season and has been a major part of the team’s success, offering consistent play off the bench. Hiedeman leads all bench players in total points scored with 326, closely followed by Seattle Storm rookie Dominique Malonga. She also leads all bench players in total assists with 111. The next best mark belongs to Jade Melbourne with 81.
Considering those numbers and Hiedeman’s impact on one of the top championship contenders, she should be considered one of the favorites to be named Sixth Player of the Year at the end of the season. Other players also have strong cases, though.
Naz Hillmon has been excellent for the Atlanta Dream, putting together a career season and vastly improving as a 3-point shooter. She has come off the bench for the majority of her games, but also filled in as a starter on several occasions.
Dominique Malonga also has an interesting case. She joined the Storm as the second overall pick, but didn’t get to play the kind of role a top pick usually plays. Instead, the 19-year-old got to ease her way into the WNBA off the bench, and, after a slow start, she has impressed consistently. Malonga ranks second in total points off the bench behind Hiedeman and first in rebounds. The fact that she is doing this as a rookie and the youngest player in the league only adds to her case.
DeWanna Bonner, who ranks third in total points off the bench and has helped the Phoenix Mercury to a top-five seed, also has a case.