The Minnesota Lynx have begun the 2025 WNBA season with an impressive 5-0 record, aiming to return to the WNBA Finals after a narrow loss to the New York Liberty last year. Amid this strong start, Alanna Smith responds to false Instagram claims about her personal life with humor, capturing attention from fans and teammates alike.
Humorous Response from Alanna Smith on Instagram Sparks Teammate’s Reaction
The Lynx, having secured the Western Conference’s top seed with a 30-10 record in 2024, have shown early dominance again this season, fueled by significant contributions from star players like Napheesa Collier. Since being drafted sixth overall in 2019, Collier has been a cornerstone for Minnesota, developing into a standout player during her six years with the team.
In the 2024 season, Collier finished as runner-up in MVP voting, averaging 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Her performance continues to escalate in 2025, with averages of 26.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per contest so far. Collier’s leadership has been crucial in Minnesota’s winning streak and she playfully reacted to a recent Instagram story posted by teammate Alanna Smith.
Smith’s Instagram story featured a caption addressing misinformation circulating about her identity:
Me wondering why everyone thinks I’m gay?
This message was in reaction to an erroneous claim by Fruitslice, a quarterly publication dedicated to LGBTQ+ writers, artists, and creators, which had inaccurately listed Smith as one of Minnesota’s openly gay players.
Smith addressed this with a candid comment:
So sorry to disappoint but this is me coming out publicly as straight. I am a strong ally tho.
Teammate Napheesa Collier responded to Smith’s story with a series of three crying laughing emojis, showing amusement and support.
Performance Highlights from Smith and Teammates in Recent Games
The image accompanying Smith’s Instagram story came from Minnesota’s recent 82-77 victory against the Seattle Storm, where Smith started and recorded solid numbers with 16 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Collier contributed equally with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Courtney Williams led the team with 23 points in the win. These performances underline Minnesota’s robust team effort as they aim to sustain their undefeated streak.
Smith, selected eighth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, joined the Lynx last season after stints with three other WNBA teams during her six-year career. Her improvement was acknowledged by her ranking tied for fifth in the Most Improved Player voting last year, having achieved career highs averaging 10.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Outlook for the Lynx and What Lies Ahead
With only one regular-season game remaining before Minnesota enters the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup, the team’s cohesion and individual performances suggest they are contenders for a deep postseason run. The ongoing winning streak highlights their determination to excel after last year’s Finals loss, and Alanna Smith’s lighthearted response to the false social media reports reflects the team’s positive atmosphere off the court as well. The Lynx’s solid play and camaraderie will be key elements to watch as they continue their pursuit of a championship.