Bobblehead and Beyond: Napheesa Collier’s Leadership Shines in Lynx’s 79-68 Victory Over Mystics

Bobblehead and Beyond: Napheesa Collier’s Leadership Shines in Lynx’s 79-68 Victory Over Mystics

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by | Aug 16, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

By Maya Aflakpi

Minneapolis buzzed with energy last night as the Minnesota Lynx faced off against the Washington Mystics in a post-Olympics showdown at the Target Center. The 7 p.m. tip-off saw the arena packed with passionate Lynx fans, eager to witness their team’s dynamic return after a lengthy hiatus for the Paris Olympics. The atmosphere was electric, further amplified by the presence of a special guest—Paige Bueckers, the hometown sensation now starring at UConn. It was a special moment for her to watch her former UConn teammate and close friend, Aaliyah Edwards, as she carves out her legacy with the Mystics.

The game began evenly, with both teams striving to find their rhythm. The excitement spiked when Napheesa Collier sank a three-pointer early in the game, saluting a fan seated courtside who had excitedly urged her pregame to “do that in the game.” It was a fun moment that showcased the deep bond between the players and the fans.

Adding to the night’s memorable moments, fans were treated to a giveaway: Napheesa Collier’s very own signed bobblehead. For Collier, this gesture marked a meaningful milestone in her career. “I feel like I’m finally integrated as a Lynx,” she reflected after the game. “It’s really cool.” This connection with the fans is valuable throughout the game, as they cheered her on with every rebound and bucket.

The returning Olympians were warmly embraced by the crowd, but the extended break posed a challenge as players sought to shake off the rust and rediscover their usual flow. The game was a true test of precision, with both teams adjusting in real-time.

Known for their defensive skills, the Lynx were also firing on all angles offensively, though the game remained a nail-biter throughout. The intensity continued as the third quarter wound down, with both teams racking up 11 fouls in the final two minutes, highlighting just how fiercely contested this battle was.

Leading the charge for the Lynx, Napheesa Collier delivered a stellar performance, finishing with a game-high 17 points and 12 rebounds, along with four assists and two steals in just over 30 minutes. This marked Collier’s 11th game of the season with 15+ points and 10+ rebounds, placing her among elite company with Aces’ A’ja Wilson and Sparks’ Dearica Hamby. Additionally, Collier surpassed a remarkable career milestone, becoming the sixth player in Lynx history to reach 2,500 career points.

Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith also played crucial roles in the Lynx victory. Williams contributed 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Smith added 12 points and eight rebounds. Smith’s consistent performance this season, with five standout games, has solidified her as a key player for the team.

As the final buzzer sounded, Lynx fans erupted with joy throughout the arena, thrilled to witness their team’s victory after the Olympic break. With the unwavering support of their passionate fanbase and stars like Napheesa Collier feeling more connected than ever, the Lynx are prepared to make an impressive push as the season progresses.

The Lynx will give the Mystics a rematch tomorrow at 1 PM on Washington’s home court.

Photo Credit: AP

Aug 16, 2024 No Comments
Highlights from Lynx’s 90-78 Victory Over Dallas Wings

Highlights from Lynx’s 90-78 Victory Over Dallas Wings

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by | Jun 18, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

Iowa State basketball player Audi Crooks, coming off her freshman season, arrived at the Target Center wearing a Dallas Wings jersey to support Stephanie Soares (her former teammate). Despite this, she also has a strong love for the Minnesota Lynx. Crooks was named a unanimous first-team all-Big 12 selection by the league’s coaches, making her the first freshman in program history to receive this honor. Personally, I would love to see Crooks in a Lynx jersey! 👀

Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles, a seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, brings invaluable experience and infectious energy with her dance moves to the team.

As a team, the Lynx were nearly flawless from the free-throw line, shooting an impressive 95.8% by converting 23 out of 24 attempts. This achievement marks only the eighth time in franchise history that the Lynx have achieved a 95% or higher success rate while making 20 or more free throws in a game.

Kayla McBride has officially moved past Kristi Toliver into 33rd place on the WNBA all-time scoring list. McBride scored 19 points tonight, bringing her career total to 4,489 points.

Alanna Smith had a well-rounded performance for the Lynx, getting 12 points. She also grabbed a season-high and team-leading nine rebounds, dished out three assists, recorded five steals, and added one block during her 37 minutes and 48 seconds on the court

Smith reflects on her journey as an underdog and the hard work that brought her to where she is now. Heideman chimes in saying Smith has that dawg in her when she’s on the floor.

Natisha Hiedeman ended the game impressively, scoring a season-best 17 points and distributing five assists. She shot efficiently, making 6-of-9 field goals, 2-of-4 three-pointers, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the free throw line.

Napheesa Collier has now moved ahead of Lindsay Whalen to claim fifth place all-time in franchise history for defensive rebounds. Her new career total stands at 803.

Dorka Juhász wrapped up the game with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks, shooting a flawless 5-for-5 from the field in her 24 minutes and 36 seconds of playing time.

The Lynx face the Atlanta Dream tomorrow at the Target Center, where they will also commemorate Juneteenth. Lynx fans, pop at 7 PM!

 

Photo by AARON LAVINSKY, STAR TRIBUNE

Jun 18, 2024 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Secure 81-76 Win Against Los Angeles Sparks

Minnesota Lynx Secure 81-76 Win Against Los Angeles Sparks

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by | Jun 15, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx faced off against the Los Angeles Sparks in a back-and-forth battle last night, reminiscent of many Lynx matchups at the Target Center. It was a contest of which team could dig deep and play harder. From the start, the Lynx’s Napheesa Collier ignited the crowd with her aggressive play in the paint. The Sparks’ 6-foot-3 Dearica Hamby grabbed 6 rebounds early and dominated in the paint, making it difficult for the Lynx to avoid errors and shifting momentum towards the Sparks. When Olivia Époupa entered the game, the pace changed; she played aggressively and was described by Collier in the post-game press conference as a “pest,” showcasing her role as a confident playmaker. Despite Collier’s scoring efforts, Hamby countered strongly, maneuvering through Alanna Smith and Collier to maintain a tight game. The Sparks ended the first half with a substantial lead, 35-24.

In the second half, Sparks’ 6-foot-4 Cameron Brink engaged in a competitive battle against Phee, resulting in a suspenseful game where the score tightened from 48-48 to 63-59 in favor of the Lynx. The close score intensified the game, where every second and challenge counted for both teams. Players like Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams remained mentally focused even when subbed out, closely observing the game from the sidelines.

Courtney Williams made a significant impact for the Lynx, concluding the game with 15 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range. She also recorded a season-high 10 assists, eight rebounds and three steals.

As the game neared its end, the Lynx held a 77-71 lead with less than 2 minutes left. A challenge on a foul for the Sparks’ Rickea Jackson was successfully overturned, reducing the deficit to 77-72. The Lynx secured their victory with decisive play in the final seconds, ultimately winning 81-76 and defending their home court.

The game held special significance as Minnesota Lynx legend Sylvia Fowles, a former WNBA MVP and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, received a standing ovation at the Target Center from players and fans alike. Phee’s exceptional performance stood out, achieving 30 points and 8 steals in a historic display, becoming the first player in WNBA history to achieve 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 8+ assists, and 2 blocks in a single game.

Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve praised Phee’s aggressive and passionate play, noting its contagious effect on the team: “She really put the team on her back and did everything tonight.” Looking ahead, the Lynx will face the Dallas Wings on Monday at 7 PM at the Target Center.

 

Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Jun 15, 2024 No Comments
Lynx Win 87-76 Against Dallas: A Showcase of Depth

Lynx Win 87-76 Against Dallas: A Showcase of Depth

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by | Jun 3, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

Tonight was a back-and-forth battle between the Minnesota Lynx and the tallest team in the WNBA, the Dallas Wings. The Lynx were able to come out on top, 87-76, in a hard-fought game that showcased their resilience and depth.

Napheesa Collier led the way for the Lynx tonight, ending with a stunning stat line. She officially surpassed Lynx legend Lindsay Whalen for sixth place in franchise steals, with a total of 266 steals. Dallas is a very aggressive team, and playing against them is always challenging especially in the paint. When asked about playing against Tierra McCowan and the Dallas team, Collier said, “She’s a big girl. They got more points in the paint than we wanted.” She added, “We knew rebounding was going to be a huge thing. They do really well on offensive putbacks, so defensive rebounding was huge. I just tried to do my part and be as disruptive as I could.” Collier did her part indeed tonight, getting 24 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block.

Another big baller tonight was Kayla McBride, known as “McBucket.” She finished the game with a game-high 25 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the three-point line. Additionally, she dished out four assists and snatched two steals. McBride’s performance was a big deal as she crossed 1,500 points and 250 assists with the Lynx, joining just nine others in franchise history to do so.

Leading the Lynx with energy and fast transitions was rookie Olivia Époupa, a French basketball player standing at 5-5, who is beginning to make her mark in the WNBA after a successful career overseas. Époupa had a powerful night. She grabbed a career-high four steals later in the second half, helping Minnesota score 14 points off turnovers in the fourth quarter alone. Head Coach Cheryl Reeve remarked, “She’s always going to play with that energy. It’s what she does, that’s why we brought her here.” Her defensive skills, creativity in assisting, and quick transitions helped the Lynx gain control and momentum in the second half.

Coach Reeve, during the post-game press conference, praised Époupa’s readiness and impact. “About five minutes to go in the game, I went over to O and said, ‘Way to be ready when your number was called.’ She’s been on our minds because we’ve been in situations like this before where we’ve felt like she’s one that can help us through it and today we actually pulled the trigger and did it, and obviously she was pretty impactful for us.”

The Lynx’s ability to lift each other up reflects a strong sisterhood. Collier praised Époupa, saying she “was the momentum change when she came in… and busted the game open for us.” She emphasized, “We just have such depth. If you take one person away, there’s someone right behind them to make up for that. Ollie came in and won us the game with her defense.” In response, Époupa said, “I would say this is teamwork.” She added humbly, “I’m not just a game changer, my teammates were there. We are just here for each other; we have really great chemistry.”

Reflecting on the season so far, Collier said, “It feels like we have played a bunch of different kinds of teams. Everyone looks really different, so it’s just fun to be able to adapt our defense in that way and get better every time we play.” She added, “We’re gonna get better as our chemistry grows and we get these goddamn turnovers down.”

The Lynx have shown that they are a strong team with a talented bench, which is crucial when starters have off days. They hold themselves accountable for their mistakes and always strive to improve with each game. Minnesota will face off against the Seattle Storm on Sunday, June 9th. The last time they met, the game went into double overtime. This upcoming game promises to be another exciting matchup, especially with Nika Múhl now available to play for Storm.

 

PHOTO BY JEFF WHEELER, STAR TRIBUNE

Jun 3, 2024 No Comments
Alissa Pili Shines Bright in Minnesota Lynx’s Dominant 95-71 Win Over Phoenix Mercury

Alissa Pili Shines Bright in Minnesota Lynx’s Dominant 95-71 Win Over Phoenix Mercury

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by | Jun 1, 2024 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

MINNEAPOLIS – Rookie Alissa Pili steps onto the Target Center court, her eyes fixed on the hoop, as she and the Minnesota Lynx dominate in the paint, from the 3-point line and on defense, securing a 95-71 victory over the Phoenix Mercury. This marks a breakout performance for the University of Utah alumni, selected with the eighth overall pick in the draft. The game holds added significance for Pili, who is of Samoan and Native Alaskan heritage, as it aligns with Native American Heritage Night, a moment she is grateful to share with fans.

“As I’ve ended my college career and come to the W, my support system has been huge, and a big part of that is the indigenous community. Representation has been a huge thing for me as my platform has grown. I’m trying to do my best at being a role model for others and continuing to impact people,” Pili says.

Dorka Juhász, in her second season with the Lynx, returns to the team a week ago following overseas playing commitments. She praises Pili, stating,”She’s working hard, and we are super happy that she had this game, especially on this night; it is very special.”

What was the key to Pili’s breakout game tonight? Juhász answers best, saying, “One thing that I’ve learned is that you gotta stay ready. She is ready whenever her name is called,” adding, “The swag that she has, maybe a little nervousness, but you can’t see it; you’re just knocking down shots.” She talks about how it is early on in the season and Pili having this breakout game is a great sign.

The game starts out evenly matched with Mercury’s talented players Kahleah Copper, Diana Taurasi, and Natasha Cloud matching the energy of the Lynx stars Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. However, the Lynx soon take control, finding their rhythm on both offense and defense as Smith is 3-3 to start. Phee grabs rebounds, showing her exceptional defense. With Diamond Miller out after undergoing successful right knee surgery on May 29 and having a 20-point lead on Mercury for a majority of the match, this gives room for bench players to get more minutes, and they truly step up to the challenge. When Head Coach Cheryl Reeve calls Pili to sub in, she recognizes it as her moment to prove herself, rising to the occasion with confidence.

Juhász expresses how this one is personal when talking to the in-arena host about the win post-game. “We want to come out different than how we played against the Aces. We don’t really show our best offensive profile in that game,” she says, adding, “We know that we could do better. It’s always the goal after a loss to come back, especially on home court. We want to protect our home court. I think that’s the motivation that gets us into that energy.”

Pili reflects on how she stays ready, stating,“The game is mostly mental. We huddle up before every game, and all of us kind of have that mindset of always stay ready when your name is called,” adding, “It’s such a great team as a collective. Our starters are great, and then our bench just brings this different type of energy,” adding, “It is good to gain that in-game experience and work towards getting my confidence up and getting more comfortable.”

Towards the end of the game, Pili becomes unstoppable from beyond the arc. The bench contributes significantly with 50 points, marking the third-highest bench points in Lynx history. Juhász earns 13 points, Cecilia Zandalasini 12, Natisha Hiedeman 5, and Pili, as mentioned earlier, scores 20 points. “As a team, we’re just having fun, and I think that’s the most important thing,” said Juhász.

The Lynx hope to maintain this momentum Sunday at 6 p.m. as they face off against the Dallas Wings at the Target Center.

Photo by David Sherman / National Basketball Association / Getty

Jun 1, 2024 No Comments