Minnesota Lynx Forward Natasha Howard Named Western Conference Player of the Week

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Minneapolis/St. Paul – The WNBA today announced Lynx forward Natasha Howard has been named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from June 22-28. The weekly honor is the sixth of her career and her first since July 13, 2023.

During the week, the 6-2 forward averaged 21.0 points, shooting 16-of-30 (53.3%) from the floor, 14.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in two games. Howard currently ranks second in the WNBA in field goal percentage (61.1%), along with third in steals (1.9), 13th in rebounds (8.2) and 14th in points (17.7) per game.

The Toledo, Ohio native posted 21 points on June 24 against the Washington Mystics, shooting 7-of-13 (53.8%) from the floor while adding a season-high 15 rebounds, three assists, two steals and a block, posting her second career 20+ point/15+ rebound game. On June 28, Howard totaled a team-high 21 points on 9-of-17 (52.9%) shooting from the field, 14 rebounds, three steals, two assists and a block. Her double-double performance moved Howard to 26th all-time in WNBA history for career double-doubles (61).

Howard totaled 29 rebounds during the week, marking the highest two-game rebounding total of her career, while extending her streak of 20+ point games to three, matching a career best. The forward is averaging 17.7 points, a career-high 8.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists, along with 1.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 29.4 minutes per game, while shooting a career-best 61.1% from the floor this season.

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Profile: A dedicated WNBA analyst with a deep understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player‑development pathways, and expanding cultural impact. This columnist provides comprehensive coverage that blends advanced metrics, film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping modern professional women’s basketball. Background: With extensive experience covering the WNBA and women’s basketball at multiple levels, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive systems Player evaluation, draft analysis, and free‑agency movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time WNBA fans and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the WNBA’s growth, competitiveness, and influence on the broader basketball landscape.