After six years in the WNBA with one team, the Indiana Fever, forward Natalie Achonwa decided to head north during free agency and join the Minnesota Lynx.
“There was no question in my mind. No question this was the fit for me,” Achonwa told press once the signing was announced.
Achonwa, affectionately known as “Ace,” played in Minnesota’s first eight regular season games, averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. Then, in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks, the veteran suffered an MCL sprain to her right knee. The injury would ultimately sidelined Achonwa for the remainder of the first half of the season. The recovery process took time, but ultimately, the Canadian native was able to make her third Olympics appearance for Team Canada in Tokyo.
Nearly two months following her injury, No. 11 made her return to the court for the Lynx for the second-half playoff push. In the final 13 contests of the regular season, the 6’3” forward tallied averages of 12.5 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per contest. Her most notable game came against her former team, posting 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in a 92-73 victory over Indiana.
With year one in Minnesota completed, Achonwa is poised to grow as a Lynx come next season.