The Minnesota Lynx have bounced back in the WNBA semifinals after dropping Game 1 to the Connecticut Sun. Minnesota has won back-to-back games and they now lead the series 2-1. Napheesa Collier has led the way, scoring 26 points and recording 11 rebounds in the Lynx's 90-81 Game 3 win. Collier, the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, has also impacted the Lynx's defense to say the least. Collier's play has caught the attention of NBA stars, including LeBron James.
"FACTS!!! She’s a BEAST! Game so damn smooth and complete! TOUGH," James wrote on Saturday via his X (formerly Twitter) account.
LeBron was responding to a tweet from Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton from Friday night.
"Napheesa been killin!!" Haliburton wrote.
Collier earned serious MVP consideration during the regular season as well, finishing second in voting. She is among the best players in the WNBA without question. Her ability to impact the game in multiple ways makes her especially dangerous for opponents.
Collier and the Lynx have a realistic chance to clinch a WNBA Finals appearance. Of course, they must continue to play at a high level as the Sun feature a talented team.
Napheesa Collier looking to lead Lynx to 2024 WNBA Finals
Collier, 28, is a four-time WNBA All-Star. She won the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2019. Collier has finished within the top five of MVP voting on three separate occasions. She could win the award at some point down the road.
Nevertheless, Collier has accomplished plenty of impressive feats in her WNBA career. Winning a championship, though, is the ultimate goal. Accomplishing that feat with the Lynx, a team she has spent her entire career with, would be special without question.
Collier has been incredible through five postseason games played this year. The Lynx superstar is currently averaging 26.8 points per outing on 52.3 percent field goal and 40 percent three-point shooting. She is also averaging 8.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
When is the next Lynx vs. Sun playoff game?
Napheesa Collier's postseason performance has been quite impressive, but she still has work to do. The Lynx will play the Sun on the road in Game 4 on Sunday night at 5 PM EST. Minnesota is hoping to clinch their spot in the 2024 WNBA Finals. However, the Sun will not go down without a fight. Game 4 projects to be another competitive contest between these teams.