After Napheesa Collier led the Minnesota Lynx to a win with 38 points in their first playoff game, coach Cheryl Reeve urged Collier’s teammates to increase their intensity for the second game of the series.
“I told the team before the game: ‘Look, Phee’s not going to get 38 tonight,’” Reeve said, looking back on the first-round sweep of Phoenix.
As Collier was taken out after securing the win in Game 2, the four-time All-Star and a top candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year jokingly reminded Reeve about her pregame comment.
Collier exceeded her own performance with 42 points on Wednesday, helping the Lynx score over 100 points for the second game in a row and setting a league record with 80 points in two consecutive playoff games.
She tied Breanna Stewart and Angel McCoughtry for the WNBA record for most points in a single playoff game.
“She’s insane. Y’all have been watching? She’s been going crazy. She’s making history, man,” said Lynx point guard Courtney Williams. “I’m just excited I can be a part of it, man. I’m here to help her, and whatever she needs we’re here to do it.”
As the Lynx prepare to face the Connecticut Sun at Target Center on Sunday night in Game 1 of the best-of-five semifinals, Collier will be the key player for this new Lynx team aiming for a fifth title. The Sun are still seeking their first championship.
“Phee just knows how to find her scoring opportunities in every game,” Reeve said. “If they give her space in the paint, she’ll take it. If it’s tougher inside, she knows how to adjust her game and shoot well from the outside.”
Collier was a starter for Team USA’s gold medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics, but she wasn’t the main star. She was one of only five players in the league to average over 20 points per game this season, yet she can sometimes be overlooked because she isn’t on one of the most talked-about super teams.
That might be because Collier doesn’t chase the spotlight.
“I’m just playing for my team and trying to win a game,” said Collier, who is in her sixth year with the Lynx. “I’m trying to take advantage of what the other team is giving me.”
When it comes to breaking records, she said, “That stuff is really cool, but if you’re not winning it doesn’t matter. That stuff just comes from really great teammates.”
Reeve and the Lynx had to rebuild after their championship runs in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 with the previous group led by Seimone Augustus, Maya Moore, and Lindsay Whalen. They made progress by reaching the playoffs last year, but lost to the Sun in three games.
“This team’s different,” Reeve said. “We’re a far better offensive team than last year’s team. I go back sometimes and watch that and go, ‘How? How were we 40 minutes from being in the semifinals?’”
Four-time All-Star Kayla McBride is a strong offensive player who pairs well with Collier. Bridget Carleton has added a real outside shooting threat. Alanna Smith, who joined as a free agent, had a standout season.
Williams, another newcomer, brought veteran experience as the main ball distributor, helping the Lynx lead the league in assists.
To succeed against the Sun, who were the best defensive team this season, the Lynx need to maintain their strong ball movement that helped them sweep the Mercury. The Lynx ranked second in defense.
Minnesota has the home-court advantage in the series because of a 30-foot 3-pointer made by Carleton with 3.4 seconds left in a 78-76 win at Connecticut on September 17, which secured the second seed.
Reeve expects a tough series with much less room for Collier and her top scorers compared to their games against the less defensive-minded Phoenix.
