Jessica Shepard

Shepard entered the starting lineup for Game 4 due to Nepheesa Collier (ankle) being out of the lineup. She did everything she could in this contest, but it wasn't enough as the Lynx were bounced out of the postseason. Shepard fared well as a key reserve during the regular season with 40 appearances (12 starts), posting averages of 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 0.5 steals in 20.9 minutes per game.

Shepard will enter the starting lineup for Game 4 due to Nepheesa Collier (ankle) being out of the lineup. Shepard has seen limited action through three games this series, averaging just 1.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 11.3 minutes per contest. Nonetheless, she should be in line for a sizable role with Collier sidelined.

Shepard wasn't busy on the offensive end, but she was able to gather seven rebounds in her short stint, tied for second most on the team in Game 2. As long as Napheesa Collier is healthy, Shepard's role is rather limited, but when she gets into the game, she tends to make the most of her minutes.

Despite coming off the bench and playing just 17 minutes, Shepard pace the Lynx in rebounds and tied for the team high in dimes. Shepard is heating up at the right time for Minnesota -- she's now provided double-digit points while pulling down at least seven boards in four consecutive appearances including the regular season.

After starting the last two games, Shepard will be in the second unit. Across 27 appearances in a reserve role during the 2025 campaign, she has averaged 6.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 60.4 percent from the field.