Napheesa Collier Stats Tonight: How did Lynx superstar fare against Mercury in Game 2? 

By John Ezekiel Hirro

Modified Sep 26, 2024 09:00 GMT

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The Napheesa Collier-led Minnesota Lynx eliminated the Phoenix Mercury with a 101-88 win in Game 2 of their first-round playoff encounter on Wednesday. Minnesota, the No. 2 seed in the postseason, previously secured a 102-95 victory in Game 1 of the best-of-three series.

After erupting for 38 points, six rebounds and four assists in Game 1, Napheesa Collier had another standout game, tying the WNBA record for most points in a playoff game with 42.

Despite trailing by eight and being outscored 25-21 in the opening quarter, the Lynx responded with a 28-22 second quarter to take a slim 49-47 lead into halftime.

Collier wasted no time making her mark, posting 23 points and three assists in the first half, shooting 8-for-22 from the field and going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

She added another eight points to hit the 30-point mark for the second consecutive game, finishing the third quarter with 31 as the Lynx outscored the Mercury 27-17.

But she wasn’t done yet. Collier went on to score 11 more points in the fourth quarter to tie the WNBA record for most points in a playoff game with 42.

The record was previously shared by Breanna Stewart, who scored 42 in 2022 against the Las Vegas Aces and Angel McCoughtry, who hit 42 against the New York Liberty in 2010.

Collier also contributed five rebounds, three assists and showcased her defensive skills with two blocks and a steal.

Below are Napheesa Collier’s stats:

PLAYER	PTS	REB	AST	MIN	FGM-A	FG%	3PM-A	3P%	FTM-A	FT%	=+/-	OREB	DREB	PF	STL	TO	BS
Napheesa Collier	42	5	4	38:05	14-20	70.0	2-3	66.7	12-14	85.7	17	0	5	2	1	2	2

Four other Lynx players scored in double figures: Kayla McBride with 15, Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith each with 12, and Courtney Williams with 11.

Diana Taurasi finished with 10 points and four rebounds in what could have been her final WNBA game. Brittney Griner scored 24, Natasha Cloud posted 16 points and 10 assists and Kahleah Copper and Natasha Mack combined for 25 for the Mercury.

The Lynx will face the Connecticut Sun next in the semifinals.

After finishing as MVP runner-up, does Napheesa Collier have a shot at winning DPOY?

Napheesa Collier placed second in the MVP race, receiving 66 of 67 second-place votes and 467 points. A’ja Wilson secured all 67 first-place votes, amassing 670 points, becoming just the second unanimous MVP in history.

The MVP isn’t the only award where Wilson and Collier are top contenders. Both are also frontrunners for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY).

In the regular season, Collier averaged 20.4 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.9 spg and 1.4 bpg in 34.7 minutes per game.

Her 1.9 spg ranked second in the league in the regular season, while her 1.4 bpg placed her seventh. Collier’s rebounding average was third-best league-wide.

Among players who played at least 30 games, Collier had the highest defensive rating at 91. She ranked fourth in steal percentage at 2.8 and was second in defensive win shares with 3.7, just behind Wilson’s 3.8.

It's still uncertain when the DPOY will be announced, as the league reveals awards throughout the postseason.