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Natasha Howard Leads Lynx to Dominant Road Win Over Sky — Melanin News | Melanin
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Natasha Howard Leads Lynx to Dominant Road Win Over SkySports

Natasha Howard Leads Lynx to Dominant Road Win Over Sky

1w ago

Natasha Howard, known as "Flash," carved up the Chicago Sky defense on Saturday, May 23, 2026, leading the Minnesota Lynx to a decisive 85-75 road victory at Wintrust Arena. Howard's dominant effort, featuring 26 points and 14 rebounds, was a statement performance in the intensifying early-season rivalry between the two teams.

The win was a sweet dose of revenge for the Lynx, who had fallen to the Sky just six days prior in an 86-79 home contest. With this victory, Minnesota pushed its early-season record to a solid 4-2, showcasing resilience even while navigating key player absences.

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Howard proved to be an unstoppable force from the jump, particularly in the first half. She exploded for 22 of her 26 points and pulled down nine of her 14 rebounds before halftime, shooting an impressive 10 for 12 from the field in that period. Her second-quarter surge, which included 14 points, was instrumental in the Lynx building a substantial 52-38 lead at the break, their largest advantage of the game. Minnesota also controlled the paint in the first half with a 28-16 advantage and shot 46.6% from the field. Critically, the Lynx dominated the boards, securing a 54-28 rebounding advantage by halftime, a significant turnaround after losing the rebounding battle in their previous meeting with the Sky.

The game didn't start entirely Minnesota's way, as Chicago jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. However, the Lynx quickly responded with a 6-0 run of their own, setting the tone for a back-and-forth first quarter. Howard contributed eight points in the opening frame, helping the Lynx establish a narrow 24-22 lead after 10 minutes. Despite Minnesota's strong first half, the Sky, known for their tough defense, mounted a determined comeback attempt in the second half. Chicago forced 19 turnovers from the Lynx throughout the game, converting those into 29 points off 24 Minnesota turnovers, keeping the pressure on.

The Sky managed to chip away at a 63-47 third-quarter deficit with a crucial 10-0 run, narrowing the score to within six points at one stage. By the end of the third quarter, the Lynx still held a 68-58 lead. Chicago continued to press in the fourth quarter, with Sydney Taylor’s three-pointer further reducing the gap to 70-67 with 7:50 remaining in regulation. However, the Lynx regained their composure and control with a decisive 8-0 run, featuring back-to-back three-pointers from Kayla McBride and two free throws from Howard, ultimately sealing the victory. Minnesota's defense was a critical factor in the second half, limiting the Sky to just 32% shooting from the field for the game.

Minnesota Lynx
Minnesota Lynx Source

Beyond Howard's stellar play, other Minnesota Lynx players stepped up significantly. Courtney Williams chipped in with 17 points, rookie Olivia Miles added 14 points, and Kayla McBride finished with 13 points, including her clutch fourth-quarter triples. The Lynx were navigating the early part of their season without injured superstar Napheesa Collier, who was sidelined by an ankle injury. The team also faced additional depth challenges in this particular game, with forward Ola Kosu in concussion protocol before tip-off. Nia Coffey encountered early foul trouble, picking up two personal fouls within the first four minutes, which led to developmental player Liatu King entering the game. King made an impact with three blocks, a steal, and six productive minutes in the first half before also accumulating fouls.

For the Chicago Sky, Kamilla Cardoso led the team with 17 points and seven rebounds. Skylar Diggins contributed 13 points and six assists in her return from an eye injury, providing a much-needed boost. Sydney Taylor provided 11 points off the bench, keeping Chicago in contention. The Sky were notably without their leading scorer, Rickea Jackson, whose season-ending knee injury in the previous matchup against the Lynx had reportedly reshaped Chicago's rotation, presenting a significant challenge for the team.

Natasha Howard, born in Toledo, Ohio, on September 2, 1991, boasts a distinguished career in the WNBA. She made her mark in college at Florida State University, becoming the program's all-time leader in rebounds with 1,047 and double-doubles with 41, while also ranking second in career points with 1,811. Drafted fifth overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2014 WNBA Draft, Howard has collected an impressive array of professional accolades, including three WNBA championships—one with the Minnesota Lynx in 2017 and two with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020. She was also named the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, earned two WNBA All-Star selections in 2019 and 2022, was named to the All-WNBA First Team in 2019, and received the WNBA Most Improved Player award in 2018. Howard returned to the Minnesota Lynx on April 12, 2026, after playing for the Indiana Fever in 2025, where she averaged 11.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game. In 2025, she was also named MVP of the Commissioner's Cup Championship, leading the Fever to their first tournament title with a 16-point, 12-rebound performance. Upon her return to Minnesota, Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve publicly stated, "We are happy to be bringing Tasha home to the Minnesota Lynx. She has earned some impressive accolades since her time with the Lynx, and we look forward to adding her versatile offensive skillset and defensive proficiency to our team."

This particular game holds significant weight as it showcased the Minnesota Lynx's resilience in avenging an earlier loss to a rival team, especially while navigating the early season without a key player in Napheesa Collier. Howard's exceptional performance underscored her veteran leadership and ability to carry the team in crucial moments, proving her value in her return to Minnesota. For the Chicago Sky, the game highlighted the challenges of competing without their leading scorer, Rickea Jackson, whose season-ending injury had a clear impact on their team dynamics. The two teams are scheduled to meet for a third and final time in their regular-season series in Chicago the following Friday, further intensifying their ongoing rivalry. Historical data from the previous season indicates a closely contested rivalry, with the Lynx averaging 86.1 points per game compared to the Sky's 85.8 points allowed.

As the WNBA season progresses, the ongoing rivalry between the Lynx and the Sky remains a compelling storyline. This victory for Minnesota not only provided a measure of retribution but also signaled the team's ability to compete at a high level, even when facing adversity and missing key players. The upcoming final regular-season matchup promises to be another hard-fought battle, with both teams eager to assert dominance in their head-to-head series.