“She’s just the combination of everything you want in a player.” The Connecticut Sun coach Stephanie White was all praises for the opponent Napheesa Collier. It’s no doubt that the Minnesota Lynx’s power forward has been an absolute game-changer for the team this season. And now, as the WNBA Finals are here, all eyes are on her. After an amazing playoff run, White makes it clear that Liberty’s head coach, Sandy Brondello, might want to take serious note of that. Because if anyone can be a threat to NY Liberty’s title hopes, it’s Collier.

When asked about what makes the Lynx star such a difficult matchup, the Sun HC said, “She’s skilled, she’s got incredible footwork, her pace, her poise, she doesn’t get rushed.” And she appreciated that Collier shoots a three, attacks after bound, has great post moves, and got a great touch around the rim.

In White’s words, this makes her “the combination of everything you want in a player.” However, she explained that what really stands out is her poise. “She stays so poised, no matter what, and you can tell that the rest of the team feeds off of that. She is a hell of a player, there’s no doubt about it,” she said. And that exactly may be the biggest threat to the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup Champions in Liberty who lost the throne to none other than the Lynx this season.

It’s no secret that her all-around skills are unmatched, and now the playoff rival team coach has confirmed it herself. In their recent game, the 28-year-old dropped 27 points, hitting 10 of her 16 field goals, and grabbed 11 rebounds. She also added four blocks to her stat line, making sure everyone knew that she is the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, never one to hold back praise, said, “When she plays like the MVP, we’re tough to beat.”

“She’s just been incredible. Every game, it’s more than scoring how she helps our team,” the coach added. As soon as the Lynx secured their spot in the Finals with a victory over the Sun by 88-77,  4× WNBA All-Star went straight to Lynx legend Lindsay Whalen and shared a hug with her on the courtside. “I definitely want to do her proud,” she expressed. But will she manage to take down the unstoppable Liberty?

Will Napheesa Collier be kryptonite to the Liberty’s championship dreams?

Minnesota and New York have met three times this season, and the Lynx have won two of those matchups. Throughout the season, the Liberty finished with a 32-8 record, topping the league, but Napheesa has always stepped up big against them. In their last meeting, she scored 18 points and grabbed 13 boards. With Sabrina Ionescu and Breanna Stewart leading the charge for the Liberty, New York will definitely put up a fight. 

But Collier can disrupt their game. Her ability to stretch the floor, combined with her post presence and defensive skills only makes her a nightmare matchup. And let’s not forget it’s not just about her scoring— the 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year’s leadership on the court and her knack for making big plays under pressure is a threat, too. For instance, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup earlier this year.

Also, this post-season, the 2x Olympic gold medalist has put up a 29-point game in the semis. The Liberty, on the other hand, have all the firepower they need with Ionescu’s shooting, Stewart’s MVP-worthy performances, and an underdog rookie named Leonie Fiebich. So, who’s going to bag the trophy: the veteran Lynx chasing their fifth title or the Liberty ready to claim their first?