“When she’s ready, we’ll be ready for her.” That’s how Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve responded when asked about Kayla McBride’s return to the team’s training this Saturday. A massive boost for last season’s runners-up, who have been without their experienced guard for the first four games of the season. Not that it’s slowed them down — the Lynx have started the year an impressive 4-0. But now, with McBride coming back, fans have even more reason to be excited.

The wait was absolutely worth it — Kayla McBride came back firing on all cylinders. After sitting out the first four games of the season due to personal reasons, McBride returned to the court on Tuesday night — not just as part of the lineup, but as a starter. The crowd at Target Center gave her a loud, warm welcome, and McBride wasted no time showing why she’s such a vital piece for the Lynx.

She drilled her first two shots from beyond the arc, setting the tone early and helping Minnesota build momentum. On both ends of the floor, she did what she’s always done — led by example. By the final buzzer, McBride had racked up 15 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a rebound in 31 minutes, knocking down a team-high three triples and hitting some clutch free throws when it mattered most.

McBride’s return isn’t just a boost on the court — it’s a huge lift for the entire Lynx locker room. Her veteran leadership and steady scoring presence are exactly what the team needs as they look to keep their unbeaten streak alive. And the fans? Absolutely thrilled. From the moment she checked in, social media lit up with love and excitement– especially after seeing her in the traditional Lynx home court victory dance!

Fans react to Kayla McBride’s return

Fans were buzzing with excitement. One of the key pieces of the roster made her return after all! “KMac is back! You know we’re dancing!! 💃🏽💙💚” commented a fan. Another couldn’t hold back their joy. “So happy to see McBride back!! Its like a AHHHH moment lol🤣😆 The break def didn’t put a holt on her game lol thank god for that!”

McBride is back for her fourth season in Minnesota. Last year, she put up solid numbers–15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 39 games. She was lights out from the perimeter as well! In fact, she hit 40.7% from three, made 2.7 treys per game, and shot 89.3% from the line. Her return is big. It eases the load on Napheesa Collier. That only makes Minnesota’s offense more dangerous. And yes, the fans are loving it! Another one joined in, simply saying, “Mcbrideeeee.”

That short, excited shout of “Mcbrideeeee” sums up the fanbase’s love for her. It’s not just about her stats, it’s about how she fires up the crowd and her teammates, especially in big moments. Her three-point shooting stretches the floor, giving stars like Collier more room to dominate, and fans know this makes the Lynx a tougher team to beat. They’re dreaming of a deep playoff run, and McBride’s return feels like the missing piece.

In her 39 games last season, the Lynx had a 107.1 offensive rating and a 94.9 defensive rating with her on the court. But when she sat–378 out of 1,617 total minutes–things changed. The offense dropped to 99.7. The defense slipped to 103.4. That’s a swing of +7.4 on offense and +8.5 on defense when she played. Clearly, she made a big difference in 2024. And now, in 2025, she’s ready to do it again after taking an extended rest!

Those numbers show just how much McBride means to this team. When she’s out there, the Lynx are a well-oiled machine, scoring easily and locking down on defense.

The song “Apache” has been part of the Lynx culture since 2006. It’s played before games and after wins–setting the tone and sealing the joy. For nearly two decades, “Apache” has been the heartbeat of Lynx victories. After every home win, the team gathers at center court, engaging in a choreographed dance that energizes the entire arena. On Tuesday, McBride was front and center, her big smile and smooth moves showing she’s truly back.

Fans were hyped after the latest win over the Storm. The postgame victory dance? A big hit, as always. “I love this team and I love their victory dance, never change lynx 🔥👏” one fan said, after seeing McBride join the fun for the first time this season.

Another fan said, “KMac is back! But, dang, CW went off!” While McBride’s return got fans excited, it was Courtney Williams who stole the spotlight. She dropped 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting. And thanks to her, the Lynx pulled out an 82-77 win over the Storm. Now, they’re 5-0 to start the season. And with this momentum, they’ll be chasing revenge for what went down last year!