Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride (21) drives to the basket on Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers on Sunday in Minneapolis.Jerry Holt/The Associated Press
Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride wanted to give the hometown fans a show Sunday.
She delivered one that the Target Center crowd will never forget.
The five-time all-star and four-time EuroLeague champion broke the WNBA single-game record by making 10 three-pointers Sunday in a 103-90 victory over the Dallas Wings.
McBride made 10 of 14 shots from behind the arc and finished with a career-high 43 points – and she did it in front of a home crowd that seemed to be urging her to chase the record.
The record-breaker came with 2:23 to play and gave the Lynx a 98-83 lead. She left the game with 1:21 remaining to a roaring ovation. Afterward, she thanked the fans and the organization for their support.
“Minneapolis has become home for me and I want to give my best,” she said. “Whether the ball goes in or doesn’t, I just feel so much love. I think that’s why I can come out here and do my thing. I feel so loved and appreciated for who I am and I just love the game. I want to win. So I’m grateful for these fans, this organization. I’m just overcome with joy, and when I have opportunities like that I want to give it back.”
The previous record of nine three-pointers in a game had been done eight previous times, including twice this season by Toronto’s Marina Mabrey during a six-day span, most recently June 25. Rhyne Howard of Atlanta also has made nine threes in a game twice.
McBride’s incredible day also helped the Lynx (27-7) break the franchise’s single-game three-point record. The Lynx finished 18 of 39 on threes and won for the 12th time in 13 games. Minnesota also became the first team to clinch a playoff berth.
Minnesota has been on an incredible offensive run, topping the 100-point mark in four of its last six games and 98 points in Saturday’s 11-point victory over defending champion Las Vegas.
Kayla McBride of the Minnesota Lynx celebrates a three-point basket against the Dallas Wings during their game at Target Center on Sunday in Minneapolis.Matt Krohn/Getty Images
But on Sunday, it was time for McBride to take centre stage and she didn’t disappoint the hometown crowd that has been watching her for 5 1/2 seasons.
“I’m just grateful,” she said. “It’s crazy. You know I’ve been in this league 13 years, and choosing to come back here in the off-season, I didn’t know, we didn’t know what it was going to look like. Moments like this, times like this, it’s when you know you made the right decision.”
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