Lynx veteran named All-Star replacement over 3 other potential snubs

Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series from SB Nation profiling the 2025 WNBA All-Star teams. Today, let’s get to know Kayla McBride.

Minnesota Lynx forward Kayla McBride will once again be a WNBA All-Star. The 33-year-old sharpshooter, who previously earned four All-Star appearances, wasn’t initially selected as a reserve by coaches.

But, the WNBA announced on Tuesday she was picked as a replacement by Commissioner Cathy Engelebert after Dream guard Rhyne Howard was ruled out of game play for the rest of the month after suffering a knee injury last week. As such, McBride will join Team Collier.

This season, McBride is averaging 14.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game and has helped the Lynx to a league-best 19-4 record.

Now, she joins two Lynx teammates — last year’s Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier and point guard Courtney Williams — in Saturday’s All-Star game.

McBride was selected over Brittney Sykes, Brionna Jones,

McBride was ultimately selected over several other candidates who had also been floated by media and fans as potential snubs, including Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes, Atlanta Dream center Brionna Jones, and Los Angeles Sparks center Azura Stevens.

At 31 years old, Sykes has never been an All-Star but appeared to be on the cusp of a selection this season. She is averaging 17.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds. Both her points and assists mark career highs. She’s also shooting 34% from three, the second-best mark of her career.

Brionna Jones is averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while anchoring the Dream’s defense, while Stevens is averaging 14.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. Jones is a three-time All-Star, while the 29-year-old Stevens has yet to be named an All-Star.

The full list of WNBA All-Stars includes 10 starters:

1. Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings)
2. Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
3. Sabrina Ionescu (New York Liberty)
4. Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)
5. Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx)
6. A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
7. Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty)
8. Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)
9. Nneka Ogwumike (Seattle Storm),
10. Satou Sabally (Phoenix Mercury)

And 13 reserves:

1. Skylar Diggins (Seattle Storm) — 7th selection
2. Alyssa Thomas (Phoenix Mercury) — 6th selection
3. Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever) — 3rd selection
4. Kiki Iriafen (Washington Mystics) — 1st selection
5. Sonia Citron (Washington Mystics) — 1st selection
6. Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) — 3rd selection
7. Kelsey Plum (Los Angeles Sparks) — 4th selection
8. Angel Reese (Chicago Sky) — 2nd selection
9. Kayla Thornton (Golden State Valkyries) — 1st selection
10. Courtney Williams (Minnesota Lynx) — 2nd selection
11. Gabby Williams (Seattle Storm) — 1st selection
12. Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces) — 4th selection
13. Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx) — 5th selection