As the Minnesota Lynx push toward another playoff run in 2025, Bridget Carleton’s emergence as a key starter is no longer a surprise. It’s expected.
The 27-year-old forward has carved out a vital role in coach Cheryl Reeve’s rotation — one that began in August 2019, when Carleton signed a seven-day contract with the Lynx after being waived by the Connecticut Sun, who had drafted her 21st overall earlier that year. She made her Lynx debut days later, less than 24 hours after arriving in Minnesota. What started as a temporary roster fix quickly turned into something more as she was signed for the remainder of the season and has since become an integral part of the team.
“I bring a lot more than what the box score says,” Carleton said after a recent practice ahead of Minnesota’s home opener against the Dallas Wings. “I don’t need to shoot 20 times or get 10 rebounds. I just focus on making the right decision every possession and playing as hard as I can.”
Carleton’s contributions often come in the margins. Whether it’s switching onto a quicker guard, rotating early to cut off a drive, boxing out a bigger forward, or spacing the floor with timely 3-point shooting, the seventh-year pro has become a fixture in Minnesota’s system. Reeve routinely calls her “our voice of reason,” a player who brings stability, structure and effort.
Carleton’s journey with the Lynx began modestly. Drafted in 2019, she joined Minnesota after a brief stint in Connecticut and has gradually grown her role each season. But it was in 2024 that she made the leap.
After averaging just 3.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 15 minutes per game the year prior, Carleton doubled her playing time and finished the regular season averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 29.9 minutes per game. She started 37 of the team’s 40 games and shot a career-best 44.4 percent from 3-point range, making 91 triples — second on the team only to veteran guard Kayla McBride.
Her breakout year led to Most Improved Player consideration, with Carleton finishing third in the league’s voting. She was named Minnesota’s team MIP in September.
“She’s one of those players you trust,” Reeve said. “She knows where to be, she talks on defense, and she makes the right play.”
A Steady Force in Big Moments
Carleton’s postseason performance underscored her evolution. She started every game during Minnesota’s Finals run, averaging 9.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 33.8 minutes per contest while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 94.7 percent from the line.
In Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty, with the Lynx trailing by one and facing elimination, Carleton came up with a game-saving offensive rebound and calmly sank two free throws with two seconds remaining. The moment forced a decisive Game 5 and cemented her place as a player capable of delivering under pressure.
That sense of composure has been built over time. A star scorer in college at Iowa State, Carleton admits defense was not a focus in her earlier years.
“I think there’s so many ways to control what you can on the court and affect winning, and I take pride in that every single possession,” Carleton said. “I’m super locked in on just making the right decision, playing as hard as I can. I don’t need to shoot 20 times a game. I don’t need to get 10 rebounds. I don’t need to be initiating the offense, but I know there’s other ways I can impact games. And then when it is my time to get my threes off, I’m going to be able to knock it down.”
Carleton credits the Canadian national team and early feedback from Lynx coaches for pushing her to become a more complete player.
“No, not at all. And if you watched me, you could see that,” she said. “That definitely developed as I became a pro, knowing I had to impact the game on both ends. I think my national team helped with that too, and then it’s something I really focused on in my first couple years as a pro.”
She credits her growth on that end to early feedback from the Lynx coaching staff.
“One of my exit meetings early on in my career, probably after my rookie year when I was here for a couple weeks, was like, I need to be able to guard the twos in the league. I need to be able to guard point guards. I need to be able to guard fours. So I can’t just guard one position,” she said. “Being mobile, being quick, changing my body, getting stronger, being more agile — that all came pretty early on in my pro career.”
Now, her defensive responsibilities are central to the Lynx’s scheme. With Cecilia Zandalasini no longer on the roster and McBride away from the team for personal reasons, Carleton has assumed greater perimeter assignments. Her ability to guard multiple positions — including primary scorers — has become indispensable.
“She’s about as versatile as you get,” Reeve said. “You could put her on a point guard or a post and she’ll know exactly what to do.”
Carleton’s ability to excel within the flow of the game has made her a natural complement to Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier. While Collier consistently draws defensive attention and creates advantages as a scorer, Carleton plays the connective role — spacing the floor, making timely cuts, and rotating seamlessly on defense.
“She’s super smart, she knows the plays, she knows where to be,” Collier said of Carleton in 2023. “She’s just a really solid player and I trust her a lot.”
The chemistry between the two forwards allows Minnesota to toggle between defensive looks and offensive sets without sacrificing spacing or awareness. With Collier operating as the focal point in the post or mid-range, Carleton’s presence on the perimeter forces defenders to stay honest — especially given her 44.4 percent shooting from three last season. On the other end, Carleton’s communication and help defense often covers for breakdowns, freeing Collier to take calculated risks as a roamer or rebounder.
Leadership and Longevity
Carleton’s rise has also brought leadership responsibilities. She’s become more vocal during games and practices, especially as the Lynx integrate younger players and manage ongoing changes in the rotation.
“There’s probably been times you told me back in 2019 I’d play 40 minutes in a game and I would’ve said no way,” she said. “If you would have told me my rookie year there would’ve been no way. But the other night, I looked at the box score and was like, ‘Oh, I did play 40 minutes.’ I felt good out there and Cheryl kept asking me if I needed a break, but I was fine.”
Carleton logged 35 minutes in the Lynx’s 89–75 win over the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists. The performance served as a continuation of her breakout 2024 season and the trust she’s earned from coaches and teammates alike.
“She’s fun to be out there with,” said Lynx forward Jessica Shepard. “Her length makes the defensive side easier, and she’s a super smart player on the offensive side of things. You know she’s going to make the right play.”
Despite the increased spotlight, Carleton said her mindset hasn’t changed.
“My goal is just to do the things I do well — and do them to the best of my ability,” she said. “Whether I’m starting or coming off the bench, I want to bring the same energy. Hopefully coming off the bench is a little more pressure just from the standpoint that you have to pick up the starters or keep that going, but I approach it the same.”
Carleton signed a two-year deal ahead of the 2024 season, ensuring her place with the franchise through 2025. She projects as a great candidate to represent Team Canada at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, adding another potential milestone to her international résumé.
As the WNBA expands to 13 teams this year with the debut of the Golden State Valkyries and greater league-wide visibility, the Lynx are once again eyeing a deep playoff run. Carleton’s presence — steady, efficient, and unassuming — will continue to be vital to that pursuit.
“She’s the kind of player every good team needs,” Reeve said. “Reliable, unselfish, and fully committed to the team.”
Carleton may not dominate headlines, but inside the locker room and across the coaching staff, her value is clear. In a league where impact often goes beyond points and rebounds, she has become one of the Lynx’s most trusted veterans.
