The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Portland Fire 89-78 on July 18 at Target Center. A decisive second-quarter scoring run broke Portland’s resolve.
Game time was 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT. The contest aired on ESPN and NBA TV. Streaming options included WNBA League Pass, Fubo, and Sling. The Lynx wore their City Edition jerseys. Portland wore their standard white uniforms.
Injury Report Minnesota listed guard Diamond Miller as questionable (knee). Portland was without forward Satou Sabally (shoulder). The Lynx started: Collier, McBride, Smith, Juhász, and Williams. Portland countered: Diggins-Smith, Loyd, Gray, Stevens, and Thomas.
Odds FanDuel opened Minnesota as 6.5-point favorites. The over/under was set at 164.5. Moneyline: Lynx -240, Fire +195. Bettors favored the Lynx, reflecting their home-court advantage.
| Team | Spread | ML | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Lynx | -6.5 | -240 | O 164.5 |
| Portland Fire | +6.5 | +195 | U 164.5 |
The first quarter belonged to Portland. Skylar Diggins-Smith scored 9 points on 4-of-5 shooting. The Fire led 24-18 after 10 minutes. Their fast-break offense generated 8 points off Lynx turnovers.
The turning point came in the second quarter. Minnesota shot 72% from the field, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. Napheesa Collier scored 14 points in the period. The Lynx outscored Portland 32-14. Halftime score: Minnesota 50, Portland 38.
Portland never recovered. The Fire cut the deficit to 6 points with 3 minutes left. Then Kayla McBride hit a step-back three. A missed free throw by Jewell Loyd ended the comeback. Final: Minnesota 89, Portland 78.
Collier finished with 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. McBride added 22 points. For Portland, Diggins-Smith recorded 18 points and 7 assists. Loyd shot 6-of-19 from the field.
OregonLive reported: “Portland Fire can’t close the gap, fall to hot-shooting Minnesota Lynx.” The loss dropped Portland to 12-10. Minnesota improved to 16-6.
Impact The Lynx solidified their playoff positioning. The Fire fell to seventh in the standings. Perimeter defense remains a liability for Portland, allowing 41% from three over the last five games.
Target Center attendance reached 9,023. Fans received Lynx-branded rally towels. The team announced a “Pick 3 Plan” for remaining home games. Jerseys from the night are available on the Lynx team shop.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What was the final score of the Minnesota Lynx vs Portland Fire game on July 18?
- A: The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Portland Fire 89-78 at Target Center.
- Q: What key moment turned the game in the Lynx’s favor?
- A: A dominant second quarter where the Lynx shot 72% from the field, including 5-of-7 from three-point range, outscoring Portland 32-14.
- Q: Who were the standout players for each team?
- A: Napheesa Collier scored 14 points in the second quarter for the Lynx, while Skylar Diggins-Smith had 9 points in the first quarter for Portland.
- Q: What were the betting odds for this game?
- A: The Lynx were 6.5-point favorites with an over/under of 164.5. Moneyline: Lynx -240, Fire +195.
Extended Reading
Game replay is available on WNBA League Pass. Box score and full stats are on the league website. The next matchup between these teams is August 12 in Portland.