D’Tigress to face Minnesota Lynx in historic WNBA preseason matchup
Sep 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) drives on Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Lynx have announced a historic preseason friendly against Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, known as D’Tigress, scheduled for Monday, April 27 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. The game, tipping off at 7pm local time, represents a significant milestone as the first WNBA matchup against an African national team.
This matchup makes the Lynx only the third WNBA team to play an international squad, following the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, who previously faced Brazil’s women’s national team with victories of 108-44 and 89-62 respectively. However, this encounter carries additional significance as D’Tigress arrives as reigning AfroBasket champions, making Minnesota the first WNBA franchise to face a continental champion.
A clash between champions and rising stars
The Lynx bring impressive credentials to this international showcase, having captured four WNBA championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017. Despite ending the 2025 season with the league’s best record, they fell short in the semi-finals against the Phoenix Mercury. The squad features established stars including forward Napheesa Collier, guard Kayla McBride, and the dynamic duo of Courtney Williams and Natisha Hiedeman, all under the guidance of United States Women’s National Team head coach Cheryl Reeve.
D’Tigress enters this historic matchup ranked eighth in the FIBA World Rankings and riding an extraordinary wave of success. The team made headlines at the 2024 Olympics by becoming the first African basketball side, male or female, to reach the Olympic quarter-finals. Their continental dominance continues with five consecutive AfroBasket titles claimed in Abidjan, extending their unbeaten streak on the continent to an impressive 29 games.
The Nigerian squad brings considerable WNBA experience through several players. Amy Okonkwo shined with Dallas last season after time with the Connecticut Sun, while Murjanatu Musa also spent time in Connecticut’s training camp. Ezinne Kalu has experience with the Atlanta Dream, and head coach Rena Wakama serves on the Chicago Sky coaching staff while also coaching in the Unrivalled league.
Their most recent outing was a narrow 77-76 friendly defeat to Turkey in Istanbul, providing positive signs in defensive intensity and ball movement as they prepare for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 11-17. This Kansas City encounter represents another valuable opportunity for D’Tigress to test themselves against elite competition ahead of those crucial qualifying tournaments.
Comments (0)