The WNBA Finals have been nothing short of thrilling, with every game so far serving up nail-biting moments and two of them decided by last-second shots. Currently, the New York Liberty holds a 2-1 advantage after clinching a victory in Game 3, putting Napheesa Collier and her teammates in a must-win situation for their title hopes. Amidst the intensity of the series, Collier lightened the mood with an amusing yet sharp remark about her opponents, adding another entertaining layer to this already heated matchup.

The Lynx forward appeared on Run It Back on FanDuel TV latest episode, where she opened up about the ongoing WNBA Finals series against the Liberty. The conversation took a fun twist when the host asked her about her encounter with off-court friend Breanna Stewart and brought up a memorable moment from Game 2, where Stewart had appealed for a technical foul against Collier. “She at one point wanted a ref to call a tech on you. Was it Tech worthy? Do you guys talk about it afterwards?” asked the host.

Collier responded with her blend of humor, immediately pointing out that everyone was quick to weigh in on the situation and took a dig at Sabrina Ionescu as well. “I know they’re all pointing. You see Sabrina’s little finger in the background too.” However, she later reflected on whether she and Stewie had a chance to talk about the incident afterward.

“No I haven’t talked to them. I feel like we’re, you know, they are Public Enemy Number One during the finals. I’m sure we’ll all laugh about it after, but I’m not really in the giggling mood you know in this series. But yeah… I was really heated in the moment I probably could have gotten a technical, thank goodness I didn’t. But yeah, I mean, I got lucky on that one,” Phee explained on that incident. 

It’s fascinating to note that Stewart, who was right in the middle of the action asking for a technical foul against Collier, actually shares a tight bond with her off the court. After wrapping up their WNBA commitments, the two will team up for the exciting launch of their own 3×3 league, Unrivaled, which is set to kick off next January.

However, as Collier pointed out, the fierce competition of the Finals has pushed all off-court matters to the sidelines, with the WNBA title becoming the sole focus for everyone involved.

Collier & Co. in a do-or-die game against Stewart’s Liberty

So far, the WNBA Finals have delivered all the drama that any basketball fan could hope for, showcasing an intense battle between the top two seeded teams from the regular season. The series kicked off with the Lynx holding a slight edge based on their regular-season record, and that advantage shone through in Game 1. Even while trailing for most of the game, Cheryl Reeve’s squad managed to push it into overtime, ultimately snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

However, Sandy Brondello seemed to find the key to break the Lynx’s comeback strategy. This time, they skillfully managed their advantage, securing their first victory of the series. With this win, the momentum shifted firmly in favor of Breanna Stewart and her teammates, who dominated the court by maintaining a lead for an impressive 78:43 minutes, compared to the Lynx’s mere 3:17 minutes across game two.

As the third game shifted to the Target Center in Minnesota, fans anticipated a strong bounce-back from Cheryl Reeve’s Lynx on their home turf. And for most of the game, the Lynx delivered, taking charge on the scoreboard for nearly three quarters. But Sabrina Ionescu had other plans; she aimed to turn the tables on the Lynx, replicating their clutch performance from Game 1. With just seconds left on the clock, Sab sank a pivotal three-pointer that ultimately sealed the victory for the Liberty.

Now, trailing by 2-1, the Lynx find themselves in a must-win situation this Friday, as they dream of becoming the first team to secure five championship rings. While Collier has tallied an impressive 59 points in the series, she trails behind her off-court rival and friend, Stewart, who leads with 69 points. However, Collier’s contributions extend well beyond scoring as the reigning DPOY has been a vital force in the Lynx’s defense.

Well, as the Unrivaled owners duo recently celebrated their selections to the All-WNBA First Team, it would be interesting to see who will ultimately claim the coveted championship!