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Gabby Williams recounts first scrimmage tale with ex-teammate Napheesa Collier after Lynx star's historic 2-game playoff run
On the back of Napheesa Collier's historic performance in back-to-back games, the Minnesota Lynx swept the Phoenix Mercury in the first-round playoff series on Wednesday. Collier, the runner-up in MVP voting, delivered two standout performances against the Mercury, single-handedly securing the Lynx's spot in the next round to face the Connecticut Sun.
The 28-year-old Collier made history in Game 2, scoring 42 points to tie the WNBA playoff single-game scoring record, and led the Lynx to a dominant 101-88 win. After dropping 38 points in Game 1, Collier amassed a remarkable 80 points across two games. With this feat, the former UConn star became the first player in league history to score 80 points in a two-game playoff span.
Collier's former UConn teammate and Seattle Storm star Gabby Williams joined countless basketball fans who voiced their awe after witnessing Lynx superstar's recent standout performances.
Williams shared a story from her first scrimmage with Collier when the latter joined UConn in 2015. Williams played for UConn from 2014 to 2018, while Collier was part of the team from 2015 to 2019.
"I'll never forget when phee came to UConn her freshman summer and after our first scrimmages and i said to @kdemillionaire immediately "yeah this girl is ready to be a pro right now" been a beast !," Williams wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Collier's all-around dominance has been one of the most remarkable aspects of this season. Her ability to influence the game in multiple ways makes her the engine of her team.
In Game 2 against the Mercury, Collier not only scored 42 points on an impressive 14-of-20 shooting, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, but also contributed with five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Cheryl Reeve on Napheesa Collier
Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve heaped praise on her star player Napheesa Collier and recognized the 28-year-old's greatness on the court. Reeve highlighted Collier's remarkable ability to read the game and adapt to any situation.
“Phee just has the ability, each game, to know what she’s going to get, and how she’s going to get it,” Reeve told reporters after the game, as quoted by Yahoo Sports.
"If they are going to let her be in the paint, then she is going to find herself in the paint. … She understands how to play in movement and be on the perimeter and shoot the basketball. She just finds different ways to impact the game," she added.
Collier's outstanding talent and red-hot form are key factors behind the Lynx being considered strong contenders for the title this season.
For Minnesota to claim the championship, they’ll need to overcome Connecticut in the semifinals and then defeat the winner of the Las Vegas Aces vs. New York Liberty series in the Finals.
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