The Minnesota Lynx won four WNBA championships from 2011-17. Will Napheesa Collier lead them to another this season?
'Knowing that the team was being passed to me in a way that they had kind of primed me for that leadership,' Collier said, 'that just brings a different mind-set where you have to be more aggressive.'
In seven seasons, she's done nothing but prove the Lynx right.
Advertisement
Collier is a five-time All-Star (
NAPHEESA COLLIIIIER 🔥🔥
36 PTS. 9 REB. NEW SCORING RECORD.
And your
— WNBA (@WNBA)
On top of that, as vice president of the Women's National Basketball Players Association, Collier has been instrumental in the players' push for a larger share of revenue in an era of growth and expansion. And she's doing that while also being a co-founder of
'She's gone from 2019, the rookie learning how to lead, to look where she is now,' Lynx coach
Cheryl Reeve
said. 'Being an entrepreneur with Unrivaled really elevated her, being a part of the [WNBPA] executive committee, representing the entire league as part of a group that is trying to bring the league forward. She has grown so much.'
Advertisement
The Lynx have made the playoffs in all but one of Collier's seven seasons. (She missed much of the 2022 season while on maternity leave).
But that was never the ceiling.
'I think there's been high expectations since I got here,' Collier said at All-Star weekend. 'Even in our 'rebuilding years,' we still had four championships, so there was like residual vengeance from other teams where now they feel like they could beat up on us.'
That didn't last long. The Lynx won the Commissioner's Cup last season, then marched to the WNBA Finals, coming within a win of what would have been a record fifth title.
This season, they've been a machine, a league-best 20-4. They have the league's best net rating (plus-12.4), and they're dangerous from essentially everywhere on the floor (67.9 percent shooting in the paint, 41.6 from midrange, and 35.1 percent on 3-pointers, all second in the league).
Collier is putting together another season worthy of MVP consideration, averaging 23.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, scoring from all three levels, while being a top-10 rebounder and top-five rim protector (1.6 blocks per game).
'She is so graceful, no matter what the movement is,' Reeve said. 'Even when she's trash talking. It's very graceful when you look at it. I don't have that in just a half of my pinkie, the level of grace that she has.'
Advertisement
And with the Lynx hunting another title — their first in the Collier era — nothing has changed, including the expectations.
'I feel like we're back more in that top-dog spot,' Collier said. 'I don't really feel like that ever went away. So it feels natural to the Lynx, and I think they always embrace it. When there's a target on your back, it means you're good and people want to be where you are. So, that's a good place to be.'
Appointment viewing
Atlanta Dream at Las Vegas Aces, Tuesday, 10 p.m.:
The Aces, hanging on to the eighth spot in the standings, are trying to shake off an underwhelming first half. They get a chance to make up some ground against the Dream, who are two games ahead in the standings.
Phoenix Mercury at New York Liberty, Friday, 7:30 p.m.:
Expect a shootout between the top two 3-point-shooting teams in the league. Both teams average 10 threes per game.
Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.:
Earlier this month, the Storm blew a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead to the Mystics. Now that Mystics rookies Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron are All-Stars, it's hard to imagine they'll sneak up on anyone in the second half.
Julian Benbow can be reached at
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
23 minutes ago
- Yahoo
WNBA players embrace continuously growing tunnel walk fashion
Shakira Austin didn't realize how important fashion would become when she entered the WNBA in 2022. Her introduction to game-day tunnel fashion began at the University of Mississippi in 2020. 'My school started doing their own tunnel fits," she said. "It was cute, but I definitely didn't know [the WNBA tunnel walk was] as popping and as big as it is now.' During the last few years, college and WNBA social media teams have photographed players walking into arenas and to their locker rooms on game day. Tunnel walk fashion now quickly spreads on social media on game days. What started as a social media trend that fans enjoyed has become a high-profile chance for WNBA players to show off their personal style and potentially land endorsement deals. A Vogue article published last season declared that "The WNBA Tunnel Is Officially a Fashion Destination." Austin has adapted to the spotlight and says she enjoys expressing herself through clothing. 'It gives a little bit of a model essence," Austin said. "You go through, you pick out your fit for the day, and all cameras are on you, so it's definitely a nice little highlight off the court before you start to lock in for the game.' Now in her fourth year with the Washington Mystics, Austin's sense of style is fully her own. Read more: Candace Parker: From top prospect to WNBA champion with three teams Without much styling advice from teammates as a rookie, she leaned on her passion for creativity and beauty to guide her looks. 'I've just always liked to express myself through beauty — from either masculine or feminine looks," she said. At 6 foot 5, Austin has had to work with limited clothing options. 'Being that I am a tall girl, it's kind of hard to find clothes, so repeating stuff is a big deal for me," she said. "Also, just making [the outfit] a different vibe each time.' Connecticut Sun center Olivia Nelson-Ododa didn't get comfortable until she partnered with stylist Kristine Anigwe, a former WNBA player and owner of KA Creative Consulting. 'Figuring out, 'OK, this is my style, this is what I actually like and enjoy wearing. How can I put it together in something that is comfortable and makes me feel confident?'' Nelson-Ododa said. She describes being a 'serial pieces repeater,' choosing to mix and match rather than follow trends. 'Honestly, it's fashion, there's like no rules to it.' Off the court, fashion is now a way for her to show different sides of herself beyond her basketball identity. 'We already have an amazing job like this, and being able to add on by showing ourselves in a different light is super fun,' she said. Although she doesn't have the biggest interest in fashion, Sparks center Azura Stevens has seen tunnel fashion evolve into something much bigger. 'It's cool to put together different fits, kind of show your personality through style," she said. "I am kind of used to it now — it's just a part of the game-day routine.' During her time in the league, fashion has become a natural part of the culture. 'It has become a really big thing for it to be like runways almost before the game. It's a part of the culture now of the [league],' she said. Stevens' teammate, veteran forward Dearica Hamby, has had a career full of fashion transitions since she entered the league in 2015 when fashion wasn't a major part of the WNBA culture. 'Mine has changed over the course of the years," she said. "For me, I'm sometimes business-like, but overall just really well put together.' Read more: WNBA motherhood: The balancing act between career and kids Hamby credits her time with the Las Vegas Aces as the moment she saw the shift. 'I kind of feel like my time in Vegas is when it really took off. We had a really talented photographer who was able to capture our fits,' she said. Hamby is still learning what works best for her style. One thing she's noticed: how an outfit looks in a photo matters. 'Sometimes things don't photograph well, and that's what I am starting to learn," she said. "It could look good in person, but it doesn't necessarily photograph well, so you wanna wear things that are cut and crisp.' As tunnel walk content grows on social media, so can critiques of players and their outfit choices. 'I've definitely gotten flamed before for certain outfits," Nelson-Ododa said. "Some people are not fans and some people are fans. I really don't care, as long as it feels good on me, I'm fine." 'You definitely know that eyes are going to see, and you're going to be talked about — whether it's a positive view or negative view,' Hamby said. What matters most to Hamby is the feeling behind the fit: 'Just remind yourself that if you feel good and you feel like you look good in it, that's all that matters." Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New York Post
24 minutes ago
- New York Post
LeBron James' fiery Instagram post includes Clippers twist
LeBron James got a few things off his chest in a new Instagram post on Thursday. The Lakers superstar, who's been at the center of trade rumors this offseason, cautioned to appreciate him while he's still playing. It included a snapshot of him working out in front of a Clippers sign, which raised some eyebrows from fans. Advertisement 'Say whatever you want but you damn sure won't be able to say I didn't put in the WORK!! 👑 ,' James, 40, wrote. 'We'll see what happens when I no longer exist. Man F this Shhhhhh.' LeBron James working out ahead of his 23rd NBA season. Instagram/LeBron James Klutch Sports Group, the agency that manages James, confirmed to USA Today that the photo was taken at their offices in Playa Vista, located in the old Clippers practice facility. Advertisement Klutch uses the facility for its players to train in Los Angeles and they haven't yet switched out the Clippers signage. It comes after James was seen working out at the Cleveland Cavaliers practice facility earlier this summer. James responded to the buzz earlier this month, writing on X, 'I live here still and train every summer.' Advertisement James, who will turn 41 in December, is rumored to want out of the Lakers after his agent, Rich Paul, released a statement regarding the 21-time All-Star accepting his $52.6 million player option. James, who is entering his 23rd season, has a no-trade clause in his contract. The NBA's all-time leading scorer doesn't seem phased by the buzz, as Paul advised him to enjoy his summer. James was spotted partying in the South of France last week with his wife, Savannah James, and his business partner, Maverick Carter. Advertisement LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James in Portofino, Italy. COBRA TEAM / BACKGRID 'LeBron wants to compete for a championship,' Paul told ESPN last month. 'He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we've had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career. 'We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what's best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what's best for him.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
What are the odds of a WNBA lockout? Our expert answers mailbag questions
The drama of the WNBA season has not abated in the second half, with massive upsets, teams chasing playoff positioning, and the cloud of labor uncertainty looming over all of it. We're doing our best to assess all of it at The Athletic. In today's WNBA mailbag, we'll dive into some of the big-picture questions regarding the league. Next week, we'll come back for more team-specific topics, including how franchises should prepare for the trade deadline on Aug. 7. It *feels* like there are way more injuries this year than in the past few years. Is that true or just a skewed perception? If so, what long-term or structural solutions could there be to help keep players healthy? – Inocb99 The WNBA would argue that this is just a perception. When I asked commissioner Cathy Englebert about the rate of injury at All-Star Weekend, she said, 'I know there's been some very high-profile injuries. Our data would show there's no significant increase in injuries through the same number of games as last year.' Independent data tracking from The Next Hoops would suggest otherwise. His research indicates that there have been 639 games lost to injury in 2025 compared to 711 during the entire 2024 season (as of July 31), and each team still has at least 16 games to play. Assuming there has been an increase in injuries, there are many theories: the increased pace of play has made the game more physically demanding, youth basketball wears players down and contributes to overuse injuries, and the increased number of games is too taxing, among others. One thing is clear — player safety is imperative to the overall health of the league, and it is something that the WNBA continuously investigates, even if the league comes to different conclusions than the rest of us. What do you think the odds are of there being a lockout for a significant length of time? And is there any indication the season might get longer (in terms of calendar days, not # of games)? – Chris H. I would be surprised if a lockout extended into the start of the 2026 season and caused the league to miss games. There is so much momentum in the sport that both parties understand the risk of a stoppage, even if they are entertaining the possibility. At this moment, I would peg the odds of a lockout at 15 percent — not insignificant, but also not highly likely. As far as the extension of the season, Engelbert indicated that the 2026 season (if it starts on time) could extend into November because the league might have to break for the FIBA World Cup in September. There doesn't seem to be an appetite for stretching the league's footprint beyond May to October unless there are extenuating circumstances, like the Olympics, though it's worth noting that the 2030 World Cup will be held after the WNBA season. Engelbert has said there could be 'leakage into November' but not a fundamental overhauling of the calendar. What's up with the Liberty's obfuscation around injuries? I understand the strategic value of keeping things close to the chest. But are we really supposed to believe (coach Sandy Brondello) doesn't know what part of (Breanna Stewart's) leg is hurt? – Alexandra B. For better or worse, the WNBA is starting to resemble other sports leagues, and that includes gamesmanship (to put it kindly) regarding proprietary information, including injury details. The Liberty have since announced that Stewart suffered a bone bruise in her knee, but that was hardly the most egregious injury shenanigans they engaged in this past week. They previously designated Kennedy Burke and Nyara Sabally as sitting out for 'rest', even though both had injuries. They have since been specified as knee and calf injuries, respectively. The Valkyries also reported Kayla Thornton as out for 'rest' before revealing that she had suffered a knee injury and had season-ending surgery. Although coaches claiming not to know the status of their players (or their particular ailments) is annoying, that doesn't seem to be going away. The Sparks listed Rae Burell as out with a 'right leg' injury for up to eight weeks, but because she followed that timeline and came back within seven weeks, it didn't really matter what part of her leg she hurt. Conflating rest with injury? That's an issue, especially for the league's gambling partners. My guess is the league office got a hold of the teams that have abused that distinction in recent days and put an end to it. Given that off-season leagues sometimes pay more than the W, the players are given unique leverage where players in other U.S. leagues don't have the same options when negotiating new CBAs. If team owners and the union are still this far apart by the deadline as it is reported now, what are the chances the players have the owners sweat it out by playing in Europe or even use the stoppage as an opportunity to expand Unrivaled to a 'Summer League' edition? – Mike D. A The problem with using Europe as a leverage play is that the majority of WNBA players would rather play domestically than have to go overseas for their full income. Part of the appeal of Unrivaled (and Athletes Unlimited before it) was to create an offseason option in the United States because living abroad for half the year is challenging for players and their families. That said, Unrivaled's success is a useful piece of leverage because it provides the players everything that they are asking of the WNBA, including an equity share in the business and minimum workplace standards. Rest assured, the league took note of the positive press Unrivaled generated during its debut season. The scale of Unrivaled is currently too small to support the entire WNBA player pool — and it's an entirely different style of basketball — so it can't completely take the place of the W, but it is at least a model for how a league can be more player-friendly. For now, the 36 Unrivaled players can't turn their back on the remaining 100-plus players who don't play in the 3×3 league, meaning the WNBA still has some leverage of its own as a bigger entity. You guys have previously reported on the WNBA officiating troubles. Is the CBA the (only, primary?) vehicle for addressing this issue? What other avenues are available? What is the likelihood that the upcoming CBA meaningfully tackles this (if that is where it is addressed)? – K.L. Refereeing isn't collectively bargained. It is governed by the league office, in a manner similar to that of the NBA. Referees are trained by the same standards across the WNBA, NBA and G League, and independent evaluators review every call in every game. Nevertheless, the quality of WNBA officiating does not seem on par with its brother league, as many players, coaches and executives complain about the lack of consistency. One of the issues is WNBA officials' pay relative to the NBA. NBA referees are full-time, salaried employees, but their WNBA counterparts are paid per game. The best officials are often promoted to the NBA, creating significant turnover in the WNBA. There is a groundswell of support to address officiating in the WNBA — in fairness, no one in any league ever seems too happy with the quality of refereeing. However, this would be independent of labor negotiations and most likely require better compensation for the officials so they don't feel the need to make the NBA their end goal. On the topic of coaching, a bunch of Qs: • Will coaching salaries increase with the new media rights deal? • How do general managers scout coaches, and how do they grade them?- Since teams may look completely different next year with all the free agents, would we expect teams to take advantage of the opportunity to make major coaching changes? – INocb99 There is no salary cap for coaches. Their salaries would only be tied to the new media rights deal in that organizations might be emboldened to spend more freely. Currently, multiple WNBA coaches make more than seven figures annually, even as the individual player maximum salary is about $250,000. Given the historic turnover in the coaching ranks last offseason, when seven teams changed coaches in addition to Golden State hiring its first head coach, a massive changeup this year is unlikely. Some executives said that the impending uncertainty of the 2026 offseason made organizations proactively get their coaches in place for a year first, before the flurry of player movement. WNBA coaches come from all over. College coaches are increasingly likely to turn to the professional game due to an improved work-life balance; two became head coaches in 2024 (Karl Smesko and Lynne Roberts). Former assistants can make the promotion to head coach, like Chris Koclanes and the Las Vegas Aces duo of Natalie Nakase and Tyler Marsh. Coaches come from overseas or NBA backgrounds. The league is becoming a more attractive destination in terms of the quality of play and the salaries for coaches. WNBA teams no longer have to stretch to find qualified coaches. This is so far out, but how do you see division/conference realignment after expansion in 2030? Which option seems more likely? • Option 1 West: Seattle, Portland, Golden State, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Minnesota, Chicago East: Indiana, Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, Philadelphia, New York, Connecticut, Washington, Atlanta Teams play 42 games: Home/Away against everyone (34 games) and another time against their conference (8 games) • Option 2 West: Seattle, Portland, Golden State, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, PhoenixCentral: Dallas, Minnesota, Chicago, Indiana, Detroit, Cleveland East: Toronto, Philadelphia, New York Connecticut, Washington, Atlanta Teams play 44 games: Home/Away against everyone (34 games) and another Home/Away against their division (10 games) –Joshua B. A fun one! Given the WNBA's close ties to the NBA, my guess would be the first option, but I personally prefer the second. At the very least, use the second set-up for the Commissioner's Cup; add one wild-card team with the best second-place record for a four-team semifinal and a final in the in-season tournament. The real question is whether the WNBA will revert to conference-based playoff seeding with expansion. The 1-1-1 three-game series in the first round will be a huge travel test. Seattle and Atlanta would currently match up as No. 4 vs No. 5, and that's about the longest trip possible in the league. Western and Eastern conference playoffs would avoid that type of travel nightmare until the finals, and they might help engender the rivalries that the WNBA desires with repeated postseason meetings. With the rapid expansion of the league in the next few years, what is the feeling around the league about the talent and level of play going down? It's clear that the league can support a couple more competitive teams (like Golden State) but in 3-4 years will we see a more tiered league? – Kristen O. There are varied opinions on how many teams the WNBA can support. In general, there is more concern about the overall league infrastructure holding up for 18 teams than the talent and level of play being compromised. Some like the exclusivity of the WNBA and the fact that every night pits All-Stars and Olympians against each other. Others are happy to create more jobs and are confident that the college pipeline will provide enough capable players. As far as level of play, the 2025 season is already starting to see the effects of expansion on the best teams. Minnesota and New York could really use Cecilia Zandalisini and Kayla Thornton (at least pre-injury) in their attempts to return to the finals. It's harder to build deeper teams when the talent is spread out. Expansion might actually create more parity than a tiered league. There are more places for stars to spread out, and it will be harder to consolidate them on one team, especially if the expansion teams prove to be desirable locations like Golden State. Who is your favorite WNBA player? Why? – Abby L. My favorite WNBA player of all-time is Maya Moore. The first time I got to see her play at UConn, it looked like she existed in a different physical realm than every other player on the court, which had eight other future WNBA players, one of whom became a Finals MVP. Moore had a fluidity and grace and could move in a way that seemed impossible. She also had such joy on the court at all times. A one-of-one talent in WNBA history. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. WNBA 2025 The Athletic Media Company
