Napheesa Collier had a mic-drop moment after sealing Game 1 of the WNBA Finals for the Minnesota Lynx with a clutch, game-winning shot. The Lynx All-Star forward delivered a stellar performance in the intense overtime battle against the New York Liberty, helping her team secure a crucial victory in the opening game of the Finals on Thursday night.
Collier was a dominant force throughout the game, finishing with a loaded stat line that highlighted her all-around impact. She scored 21 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out two assists, recorded three steals, and blocked six shots.
However, her most memorable moment came in the final seconds of overtime when she sank an incredibly difficult contested turnaround jumper with just 8.8 seconds left on the clock.
That bucket gave Minnesota a 95-93 lead, which ultimately held up as the final score, giving the Lynx a hard-earned victory on the road.
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After the game, Collier was interviewed by ESPN’s Holly Rowe and was asked about the challenge of pushing through an overtime thriller, especially after coming off a grueling five-game conference finals series that stretched to the wire just days before.
“You can’t think about it. This is the Finals. No one cares if you’re tired,” Collier responded, delivering a no-nonsense, icy quote that perfectly encapsulated her mindset and determination.
The Liberty had a rest advantage heading into the series, having closed out their conference finals in four games. Meanwhile, the Lynx battled through all five games of their series, with their final victory coming just two days before the start of the Finals. Despite the quick turnaround, Collier and the Lynx refused to use fatigue as an excuse, a mentality that clearly paid off in their Game 1 triumph.
For Collier, who was named the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year this season and helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the Paris Olympics this past summer, overcoming adversity is nothing new.
Her ability to deliver in high-pressure situations has become a hallmark of her game, and her gritty, no-nonsense attitude is reminiscent of another Minnesota basketball legend, Kevin Garnett, known for his intensity and leadership.
Collier’s leadership and toughness were on full display in Game 1, and her willingness to put everything on the line for her team sets the tone for what promises to be an exciting WNBA Finals series.
With Collier at the helm, the Lynx are showing they have what it takes to compete at the highest level, regardless of the challenges they face along the way.
