MINNEAPOLIS, (AP) -- Napheesa Colllier made her season debut in Minnesota. Kayla McBride scored 20 and the Lynx used a fourth quarter run to defeat the Atlanta Dream 81 to 71 on Sunday night to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Collier, Minnesota's top scorer (16.2 points per game) last year, was playing for the first time since Mila, her daughter, gave birth in May. Six points were scored by the 2019 WNBA rookie of the year in just 21 minutes.
Atlanta (14-19), tied with the Phoenix Mercury for eighth and final playoff spot with one week remaining in regular season -- a half game ahead of the New York Liberty (13) and a game ahead of Minnesota (13-20).
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Six consecutive field-goal attempts by the Dream were missed during a 10-0 run that gave Minnesota an advantage of 70-59 with 7 minutes left. Collier converted a three point play and McBride scored a 3-pointer 32 seconds later. Maya Caldwell scored a 3-pointer to end Atlanta's 3-plus minute scoring drought.
Natalie Achonwa responded with a three point play, before Rachel Banham made an pull-up jumper to give Lynx a 75-60 lead with 5:28 left.
Moriah Jefferson made 4 of 5 3-point shots and finished with 18 points. Banham scored 12, and Sylvia Fowles had 12 points. Sylvia Fowles added eight rebounds, eight points and three blocks. Fowles is now third in WNBA history, surpassing Brittney Griner with 718 career blocks.
Aari McDonald's and Rhyne Howard each scored 16 points for Atlanta, while Cheyenne Parker added 12 points. All this in the first half. Caldwell and Naz Hillsmon each scored 10 points.
Minnesota had 26 assists for 31 field goals, and 12 3-pointers.
