“It was just a special time for Minnesota basketball,” Kayla McBride reflected on her 2024 WNBA season. The Minnesota Lynx were mere seconds away from clinching their fifth WNBA title, and the 32-year-old shooting guard was a key contributor to the team’s dream run. It was her best season overall and the best offensive season since 2018. Now, as the Lynx look ahead to 2025, they’ll need her more than ever—but recent reports are raising concerns.
Ever since the vibes of the season came into effect, fans have been asking, “Where’s Kayla McBride?”. Yes, K Mac was not seen in the training camp with the Minnesota Lynx and even missed the preseason games the 2024. From her social media stories, fans could see that she was probably at home, resting and enjoying a much-needed break. She played in Unrivaled and even overseas, so she didn’t necessarily need to prove that she was in shape by joining the camp or preseason games. Yet, fans are craving K Mac content, and honestly, we cannot blame them. However, as it seems, they might have to wait a little longer. Her absence is supposed to extend into the regular season as the 11-year pro could miss the opening game of the 2025 WNBA season, too.
As per the update provided by Mitchell Hansen of CanisHoopus.com, McBride won’t play in Friday’s game against the Dallas Wings due to personal reasons. While the reasons are not clearly mentioned, one good part of the update was that there is no injury mentioned to the player, and also, there is no news of a rift between the player and the franchise. In fact, Kayla shares a great bond with her team.
“Our group is so special, from top to bottom. We just did it our own way. … We just did it the basic, organic way for each other. That’s the biggest thing I took away from it,” McBride said in an interview after the end of the 2024 season. “I missed my teammates when the season was over. I missed being around them and just showing up to work every day. That’s a testament to who those people are in the locker room. That is something that you always carry with you.” The star is yet to win the WNBA championship, and with the Lynx, she came closest to achieving the glory in 2024.
Kayla McBride (personal) ruled out for season opener on Friday.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) May 15, 2025
Cheryl Reeve had also provided a glimpse into how the reason isn’t any serious than her needing to give some time to her body and mind. “I don’t have any expectations at this point. We’re in touch with Mac and we are having conversations… we’re just kind of listening to her, listening to her body,” she had said when asked if McBride will join the training camp.
Kayla McBride’s inclusion in the final roster and the absence of any injury report suggest a potential return on the horizon. Fans are hopeful that “Busy Kayla” will rejoin the squad sooner rather than later, as the Lynx aim to clear the final hurdle this season.
Kayla McBride’s busy off-season schedule
Member of the 2013 draft class, McBride has been constantly on the floor even after the WNBA season ends. She has a very successful overseas career with a EuroCup in 2017 and two EuroLeague championships under her belt. The star played in Hungary, Russia, and Turkey during her pro career. In the 2014-15 season, she signed for the Hungarian side Uniqa Sopron. The next season, she was with the Russian team, PBK Nadezhda Orenburg. Kayla won league titles on both sides. Then she went to Turkey for Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi for the 2016–17 off-season and played with them for another year before heading to Russia again with the UMMC Ekaterinburg for the 2018-19 season.
Her long-term association with the Turkish giants- Fenerbahçe- started in 2020, and she was a member of their back-to-back EuroLeague championship teams. In 2025, Kayla played for Fenerbahçe, joining the side late after opting to take a break. “It was an adjustment; I’m not going to lie. I’m used to a routine and schedule of going (overseas) and playing,” Kayla McBride said in the ‘Hitting the Hardwood’ Podcast. “I genuinely do love playing basketball, so not being able to go and be in the locker room and stuff like that, I do miss that part of it. I had a bit of time adjusting, but it didn’t take me long. The way the season ended, you just kind of want to jump back in and forget about it.”
Kayla highlighted that the rest was needed to recoup both physically and mentally. After a ‘winter vacation’, she joined the Fenerbahçe team and was part of their third-place finish in the EuroLeague 2025 on April 13. She even played in the Unrivaled, representing the team Laces. “I’m super proud of Phee and (Stewart) for having this idea and bringing us into it. Where women’s basketball is right now, it’s the perfect time to continue to build onto our exposure,” McBride said about the new 3×3 league. “It’s a great way to get ready for the season too. It’s three-on-three, so I’ll definitely be in shape. I’m excited.”
But now, she was expected to play in the Lynx jersey for the 2025 WNBA season. And with her absence confirmed in the opening game, fans are wondering how the team will fill in the void.
Can the Minnesota Linx roster handle K Mac’s absence?
As of May 15, the franchise has confirmed its 12-player roster, including Kayla McBride. But with her absence extending into the regular season game, Karlie Samuelson, a free agency signee, and Natisha Heidman will get more game time.
The team is stacked at the forward position, while Samuelson, McBride, Williams, and Heidman as designated guards on the roster. However, Diamond Miller can also play a guard position in rotation, giving the team flexibility at times. Napheesa Collier is also a multi-faceted star capable of creating her own shots. Yet Kayla will be missed, with the star clocking in nearly 40 minutes per game last season. She also averaged 15.0 points, 3.2 assists, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals over 39 games.
While the team will look to cope with Kayla McBride’s absence for a short period of time, the veteran star might need to suit up early to help her side gain momentum in the season. After missing out on the opening game, her next chance could be against the LA Sparks on Sunday, May 18.
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