To the last countdown! The much-anticipated WNBA Finals kicked off with a bang as Game 1 was everything basketball fans had hoped for. Featuring an intense showdown between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, both teams battled fiercely, leaving it all on the court. However, it was Napheesa Collier and Co. who ultimately emerged victorious, clinching the win in a thrilling overtime finish.

It was Courtney Williams who hit a clutch three-pointer and a free throw late in the fourth quarter, giving the Lynx a brief one-point lead. However, Breanna Stewart quickly tied things up, converting a free throw after an official review ruled a shooting foul on Napheesa Collier. The game then headed into overtime, where the Lynx dominated from start to finish. While Williams and Kayla McBride were key in the comeback, Collier’s standout defensive efforts and consistent scoring played just the role in securing the win.

Napheesa Collier’s steady performance sparks Lynx’s historic comeback after rocky start

The game didn’t start off well for Cheryl Reeve’s squad, as they gave up 32 points to New York in the first quarter, quickly falling behind by 13 points. However, that was the only quarter where the Lynx were outscored by Sandy Brondello’s team. Despite the rough start, Napheesa Collier stepped up with a steady performance, consistently contributing points throughout the game. Even if her numbers didn’t jump off the stat sheet, her efforts set the tone for their eventual comeback.

As the Lynx struggled in the 1st quarter, Collier managed to keep her team afloat. She made three field goal attempts from inside the arc, sinking two of them in. The Lynx #24 kept up with two more field goals, as her team looked to gain momentum in the quarter that followed. By halftime, she had totaled 8 points, tying with Kayla McBride for the most points on the team.

It was 2 more field goals for Collier in each of the next two quarter with a free throw in the third. It would all tally to 17. But her most crucial contributions only came in the overtime.

It was Phee who first put the Lynx in the lead during the extra five minutes. And when the Liberty tied the game with less than 10 seconds left, it was Phee again who delivered the final blow, scoring the last basket to secure the Lynx’s thrilling two-point victory.

She wrapped up the game with 21 points, hitting 10 of her 16 field goal attempts, making her the third-highest scorer for the Lynx for the evening. But while her offensive performance stood out, it was her defensive prowess that truly made her the X-factor for the team.

A defensive masterclass from #24

Alanna Smith, already working to control Liberty’s impressive offense, was joined by Collier with 8 rebounds. 6 of these came on the defensive end and 3 in the final quarter, just when when the Lynx needed a last push to hold off their opponents. She finished just one rebound shy of Alanna Smith, who led the team with 9.

But standing by her ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ title, Collier posted 6 blocks and 3 steals to regain possession. She kept Liberty’s top scorers, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart, in check throughout the game. In the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, Collier made two crucial blocks, including one on Stewart’s potential game-winning shot.

Although her second attempt led to a shooting foul that allowed Liberty to tie the game, if it weren’t for that earlier block, Liberty might have sealed the win in regulation, handing the Lynx a defeat. She had most blocks made in the entire game.

Looking ahead, a win could lead the Lynx a step closer to their fifth WNBA championship—a feat that would set them apart in the league history.