McBride, Collier score 19 points apiece as Lynx beat Sky 91-68 and improve to 13-0 at home

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier each scored 19 points as the Minnesota Lynx cruised past the Chicago Sky 91-68 on Tuesday night, extending their perfect home record to 13-0.

After trailing 24-18 at the end of the first quarter, the Lynx took control in the middle periods. They outscored the Sky 29-14 in the second quarter to take a 47-38 lead into halftime, then widened the gap with a dominant 23-12 third quarter to go up 70-50 heading into the fourth.

Bridget Carlton added 11 points for the Lynx (21-4), while Alanna Smith and Courtney Williams chipped in with 10 each. Backup point guard Natisha Hiedeman suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return.

Kia Nurse, filling in for the injured Ariel Atkins, led the Sky (7-16) with 16 points. Angel Reese recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds but also committed nine turnovers. Kamilla Cardoso added 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Minnesota closed the first half by scoring on 11 straight possessions. Despite being held scoreless in the first quarter, Collier — fresh off a 36-point MVP performance in the All-Star Game — had eight points by halftime. McBride led all scorers at the break with 12.

The Lynx capitalized on Chicago’s mistakes, scoring 10 points off seven second-quarter turnovers and finishing the game with 20 points off a season-high 23 turnovers by the Sky. Minnesota also recorded eight blocks, four of them by Collier.

Alanna Smith opened the second half with a three-pointer to push the lead to 50-38, and McBride followed with another as the Lynx pulled away for good.