MINNEAPOLIS — When Cheryl Reeve reconvened with her Minnesota Lynx less than 12 hours after Wednesday's heartbreaking WNBA Finals Game 3 loss, the coach noticed the same quality in star Napheesa Collier that she has seen time and again since drafting her in 2019. «This is where you realize how consistent and steady Phee is,» Reeve said.
The Lynx had every reason to be dispirited after giving up a 15-point lead at home and losing on a last-second Sabrina Ionescu 3-pointer.
But Collier wasn't dwelling on the game or panicking about facing elimination heading into Friday's Game 4 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). «When she comes into a gym instead of being like, 'Oh, woe is me,' or 'woe is us,' she comes in the same as she came in after [the Lynx's own comeback win in] Game 1,» Reeve said. «And that's where there's value, that you get confidence from.
That's our leader. That's something that's contagious, and that's Phee.» Collier has been everything for the Lynx this season, both in her leadership and on-court production.