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Napheesa Collier Stats Tonight: Reigning DPOY's solid game goes in vain as Lynx lose Game 1 vs Sun
After back-to-back fast and fiery starts in the first round of the playoffs, Napheesa Collier has cooled off in the semis. The Connecticut Sun defense, the stingiest before the playoffs, contained the MVP runner-up in the first half of Game 1 against the Minnesota Lynx. Collier was limited to nine points on 3-for-8 shooting in the first 20 minutes of the series opener.
Collier, though, had plenty of help from Bridget Carleton to keep the Lynx within striking distance of the visiting Sun. Carleton had a 13-point first half that was highlighted by 3-for-4 shooting from deep. After two quarters, Minnesota trailed 42-38 in a testy game in Minneapolis.
The Connecticut defense, which threw the kitchen sink at Napheesa Collier, held up, particularly in the first quarter. The Sun took a 23-16 lead in the first quarter, silencing the pro-Lynx crowd. Alyssa Thomas’ all-around game was the spark the visitors needed to keep the hosts on their heels.
The Minnesota Lynx turned the tables on the Connecticut Sun in the second and third quarters. Minnesota outscored its opponents 46-34 during that span. Collier continued to struggle but consistently punished double teams by kicking the ball out to shooters.
The All-Star forward’s four assists did not emphasize her impact as the Lynx’s hub on offense. Minnesota gained momentum after grabbing a 62-57 lead leading to the fourth quarter.
Napheesa Collier finished the night with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals. She showed why she was an MVP contender in the fourth quarter but the Minnesota Lynx lost Game 1 73-70.
Napheesa Collier showed up big in the fourth quarter
Six of Napheesa Collier’s 19 points came in the fourth quarter. The Minnesota Lynx had all the momentum going to the final period but the Connecticut Sun defense bared its teeth. Connecticut limited the hosts to eight fourth-quarter points to walk away with an impressive win.
Collier did her part on offense but the Lynx offense largely faltered against Connecticut’s physical and crisp defense. For the first time in the playoffs, the Lynx seemed like they didn’t know what they were doing. They couldn’t put up the same efficient execution that allowed them to dominate the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the playoffs.
Napheesa Collier’s matchup against Alyssa Thomas lived up to the hype
Napheesa Collier earned the 2024 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award but Alyssa Thomas anchors the league’s best defense. For long stretches in Game 1 of the Sun-Lynx series, the two stars took on each other.
The matchup lived up to the hype as both players put on impressive performances. Both were superb despite not having highlight reels in the game. They led their respective teams on both ends of the floor without much fanfare.
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