Lynx rout Aces by a record 53 points behind hot-shooting Kayla McBride, but Napheesa Collier departs due to injury

On July 25 at Target Center, the Lynx defeated the Las Vegas Aces by 31 points, a game that coach Cheryl Reeve acknowledged was probably her team’s best of the season.

On Saturday in Las Vegas, the Lynx were even better as they defeated the Aces 111-58 behind a dazzling first-half shooting demonstration by Kayla McBride.

However, there was one significant concern for the Lynx: Napheesa Collier left in the final minute of the third quarter after appearing to roll her right ankle. The WNBA’s leading scorer was able to walk off the floor to the locker room on her own power and did not return to the game, finishing with 18 points in 26 minutes.

Reeve did not have an update on Collier after the game, telling reporters in her news conference the All-Star forward needed further testing.

“Sometimes these things happen. Unfortunate,” Reeve said. “Hopefully she’ll be OK.”

Said McBride in her postgame news conference: “It’s tough. I thought we put a great 40 minutes together, but you hate to see anybody go down, but especially your MVP.”

The 53-point margin of victory was a WNBA record for a road game. The old mark of 45 points was set on Aug. 17, 1998, when Houston won at Washington 110-65.

McBride, who went into the game shooting 38.4% on three-pointers, tied a WNBA record for three-pointers in one half by making all eight of her attempts as the Lynx made 13 of 14 three-point attempts in the first half. For the game, the Lynx were 17-of-27 (63%) from three-point range, a franchise record for threes made.

“It’s a balance, I am excited for the way our team played and the way we showed up today,” Reeve said. “And I’m obviously concerned about Napheesa Collier. ... I can be both happy for our team and worry. We’re hoping for the best.”

BOXSCORE: Lynx 111, Las Vegas 58

WNBA standings

McBride scored 24 points in 17½ minutes of the first half — including three three-pointers in the final 90 seconds — as the Lynx built a 67-33 halftime lead. McBride made four three-pointers in each of the first two quarters as the Lynx fell four points shy of the WNBA record of 71 points in the first half (held by the Aces). McBride did not score in the second half, missing two three-point attempts.

The Lynx, who went into the game leading the WNBA in offensive and defensive rating, limited A’ja Wilson, who is averaging 22.1 points per game, to 10 points. Wilson was scoreless in the first quarter as the Lynx opened a 35-17 lead. Wilson scored 15 against the Lynx in the previous meeting.

Jewell Loyd led the Aces (14-14) with 12 points.