Napheesa Collier, star player for the Minnesota Lynx, was forced to leave the game against the Las Vegas Aces due to an injury to her right ankle.The incident occurred in the third quarter, when Collier collided with teammate Alanna Smith and fell awkwardly on her right foot.Despite the 43-point lead Minnesota had at that moment, coach Cheryl Reeve stated that she does not regret keeping Collier in the game.
Collier, who had already missed three games this season, scored 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals in 26 minutes of play.Kayla McBride, teammate, described Collier as someone who was “in good spirits” and who was in the locker room with her daughter, Mila, after the game.The Lynx’s 53-point victory represents the second-largest in WNBA history and the largest point difference as a visitor, surpassing the previous record set by the Houston Comets in 1998.McBride led Minnesota with 23 points, shooting an impressive 8 of 11, all three-pointers in the first half. She set a WNBA record by scoring 8 of 8 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes of the game.I didn’t think the game was over. I don’t think so. She had a change; she was going to sit in the last quarter. Sometimes these things happen.
Cheryl Reeve
The Lynx’s next game will be against the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. It has not yet been confirmed whether Collier will travel with the team or return to Minnesota for medical tests.It’s a balance, I’m excited about the way our team played and the way we showed up today. And obviously I’m concerned about Napheesa Collier… I can be happy for our team and worried. We hope for the best.
Cheryl Reeve
