The league standings are close enough that it’s hard to predict the teams in the playoffs. One team without worry is the Minnesota Lynx. Standing at the top of the league, the side has a healthy 5.5-game lead over second-place Liberty.
Yet these standings will only help determine the opponents and venues in the playoffs; progress will depend on series results. With multiple players out injured, someone has to step up to keep the momentum going and provide help in the postseason. Among the current squad, one player who has yet to reach her potential is Bridget Carleton, who needs to now show up for games.
Bridget Carleton Needs To Improve
The top seed highlights consistency in top performances, but doesn’t guarantee a championship. The last three winners of the title finished at the top of the table, and the Lynx will look to continue the tradition. For that, Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier will need help from their role players, who have been passive scorers so far in the regular season.
The addition of DiJonai Carrington will help a bit on both ends. But ultimately, the players on the roster need to step up, and one player who can improve is Bridget Carleton. The star had a great run in the 2024 season with career-high stats across the board. But the star is struggling with her shots in 2025.
Talking about Carleton’s shooting issue, record holder Kayla McBride showed her support. She said, “We talk about it a lot, I think it’s more so her getting back to having fun with it. I think we put so much pressure on as professional athletes. And when you play at a high level, and your not playing at the level, it feels like your doing something wrong.”
Kayla McBride on her advice to Bridget Carleton on shooting slumps
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) July 23, 2025
“We talk about it a lot, I think it’s more so her getting back to having fun with it. I think we put so much pressure on as professional athletes and when you play at a high level, and your not playing at the… pic.twitter.com/Z4phFNeEvJ
Right now, she is playing for similar minutes, but her shooting slum (down to 39% from 44%) makes it even harder for the player to impact the game. Moreover, her three-point scoring took a significant hit that affected the team’s rotation and spacing. If she could be back on her best, the team would be able to add at least 10 more points to the tally.
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Bridget Carleton Could Be ‘X’ Factor For Lynx
With leaders McBride and Collier tightly marked, coach Cheryl Reeve will be looking at different scorers to step up. New additions, Carrington and Miller, would be handy in midrange shooting. But the 28-year-old star’s range shooting could open up the defense and allow opportunities for her teammates.
She is also a great perimeter defender. Teams are now operating more on the wings. They also rely heavily on three-pointers; the defense from the Iowa State player would be helpful. The forward can also run the play and give her side a chance to use her as a playmaker, too.
The improvement from the versatile player will be a massive boost for the championship-chasing side. Reeve would be working hard on the same.
Also Read: Napheesa Collier Sidelined Two Weeks With Ankle Sprain As Lynx Face Tough Stretch