Shifting slightly from Raptors news to Canadian news — Chatham, Ontario’s Bridget Carleton is absolutely HOOPING in the WNBA season. Shifting from trusted bench role player to starting shooter, Carleton brings energy and offensive punch to a Lynx squad that rolls deep. Now, the Minnesota Lynx head into the WNBA playoffs as serious championship contenders.

Back in 2023 when the Lynx came to Toronto to play in the first WNBA Canada Game, Carleton’s coach Cheryl Reeve had glowing reviews about her. Notably, she mentioned trusting Bridget immensely when she sent her out onto the court. Back then, Carleton’s role was mostly defensive minded, but Carleton could also shoot a few daggers.

Now in 2024, Carleton’s role has grown with the Lynx — and she’s proving she has what it takes to step into that spotlight.has what it takes to go into the spotlight.

She has started 34 of the 37 games she has played this season, setting career highs in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks per game. She shoots 45.3% from the field and 44.1% from three-point range. She is presently fourth in the league in three-point percentage and tied for third in most three-pointers made in a single game.

When you consider that Carleton is shooting behind Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, and Courtney Williams, her influence becomes even more amazing.

The Lynx starting lineup is formidable, with Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride in the backcourt, Bridget Carleton on the wing, and Alanna Smith and Napheesa Collier in the frontcourt. When all five are operating at full speed, with the chemistry they have,they are arguably the best full lineup in the WNBA.

Carleton has also risen to the occasion in crucial moments this season. When the Lynx won the Commissioner’s Cup in June, Carleton scored 23 points on 6-8 three-point shooting. In that game, she shot 80% from the field and 75% from three, while also adding four rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Perhaps we are biased as Canadians, but that deserved the MVP award.

The Lynx most recently faced the New York Liberty, the league’s only team ahead of them in the standings. A win would have given New York the league’s top seed, but the Lynx would not let that happen. Carleton scored 19 points, shooting 70% from the field and 71.4% from three. She went 5-7 from distance and had two rebounds, two assists, and one block. With their 88-79 victory, the Lynx signaled their intent to compete for the championship, postponing New York’s jubilation.

Even when she represented Canada in the Olympics, Carleton was the best player on the floor. Despite Canada’s losses, she had an average of 13.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block. In Canada’s game against Australia, she scored 19 points, going 5-7 from three.

She’s also a top contender for the WNBA Most Improved Player award. While there are a few other possibilities, like Connecticut’s DiJonai Carrington and Carleton’s own Alanna Smith, Carleton has a strong chance. We don’t have a vote, but in our (maybe biased) opinion, she deserves one.

It’s the final week of the WNBA regular season, and the Lynx will enter the playoffs on Sunday, September 22nd. Right now, they could be the second or third seed, but they appear to be finals favourites. The team is 13-1 since the Olympic break. They have peaked at the ideal time to make a serious run at a WNBA championship. Carleton will be an important part of that.

For years, Canadians have seen Carleton on the National Team and followed her professional career from Iowa State to the WNBA and even beyond. Is it too early to predict that she will be a key member of Toronto’s WNBA team?

Carleton might be the sole Canadian in the postseason. Kia Nurse’s Los Angeles Sparks have been eliminated from postseason contention, while Aaliyah Edwards’ Washington Mystics and Laeticia Amihere’s Atlanta Dream are competing for the eighth and final playoff slot.

Canadians will have Carleton to cheer for as the Lynx appear to be on their way to a long run in the WNBA playoffs, which begin next Sunday!