Latest news with #NaphessaCollier
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lynx's Napheesa Collier assisted off court after scary collision vs. Aces
The post Lynx's Napheesa Collier assisted off court after scary collision vs. Aces appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Minnesota Lynx were riding high throughout their game against the Las Vegas Aces until the end of the third quarter, when their star player and this year's top league MVP hopeful Napheesa Collier collapsed to the court in pain. Collier needed help to stand and support to walk to the locker room from the athletic trainers. Collier was a victim of friendly fire after accidentally colliding with teammate Alanna Smith while trying to extend the team's 43-point lead over the Aces, seriously rolling her ankle at the end of the fastbreak attempt. The Lynx later reported that Collier's injury was to her right ankle and ruled her out for the remainder of the game. Collier's impact on not only her fellow Lynx team members but WNBA players as a whole was on full display, as both benches emptied to check on Collier while she was down on the court. Aces star A'ja Wilson, and Collier's Olympic teammate, was one of those who came to the Lynx superstar's aid. Fans might be able to breathe a sigh of relief since Collier was physically able to walk off the court, meaning her injury could look worse than it was. However, at this crucial point in the 2025 WNBA season, the Lynx may want to prioritize caution so that they have Collier back at full strength before the playoffs begin. Collier came into the Aces matchup averaging 23.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.7 blocks on 53.7% shooting. Her MVP bid most likely won't be at risk if she has to miss an extended amount of time, but Minnesota's quest for championship redemption after last year's loss to the New York Liberty would take a major hit if Collier can't bring 100% of herself to the game. Related: Kayla McBride's heartfelt message to Lynx teammate Napheesa Collier after 'MVP's' injury Related: Lynx go off for largest road win in WNBA history amid Napheesa Collier injury
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 WNBA All-Star Friday: How to watch 3-point competition, skills challenge
The biggest stars of the WNBA have descended upon Indianapolis for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game, which will see Team Caitlin Clark and Team Naphessa Collier go head-to-head at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. But before we get to Saturday's big game, the All-Star 3-point contest and skill challenge champion will be crowned. Allisha Gray of the Atlanta Dream looks to defend both titles Friday after she became the first player in WNBA history to win both the 3-point contest and skills challenge in the same season last year. Despite last year's performance, Gray said she doesn't feel like the favorite. "I'm really just chilling for real," she said on Wednesday. "I'm just there to have fun." Clark was tapped to participate in the 3-point contest, alongside Gray, Sabrina Ionescu, Sonia Citron and Kelsey Plum, but Clark injured her right groin in the Fever's win over the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday and ultimately opted to sit out the All-Star activities to rest her body. She will be replaced by Fever teammate Lexi Hull in Friday's 3-point competition and will be replaced by Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes in Saturday's All-Star game. 2025 WNBA ALL-STAR ROSTERS: Caitlin Clark selects Fever teammates Here's everything you need to know about the 2025 WNBA All-Star festivities: How to watch WNBA All-Star 3-point, skills challenge All-Star weekend officially kicks off Friday with the 3-point competition and skills challenge, which tips off 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Date: Friday, July 18 Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: ESPN Streaming: Fubo, Sling 3-point contest format and competitors The 3-point competition will feature two timed rounds with money balls (two points) and Starry balls (three points) in play. This year, players will also get to place a special 'all money ball' rack, where every ball is worth two points, anywhere among the five shooting locations. The top two from the first round will go head-to-head in a final round. Here's the full list of competitors: Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron Indiana Fever guard Lexi Hull (replacing Caitlin Clark) Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum Skills challenge format and competitors The WNBA skills challenge features a timed obstacle course consisting of bounce passes, a chest pass, a 3-point shot from the top of the arc, an elbow jumper, a corner 3, an outlet pass, speed dribbles and a final shot from anywhere on the court. To make it even more challenging, the WNBA is throwing a wrench into things by placing a 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid onto the court. The top two from the first round will advance to the final round. This year's participants are: New York Liberty guard Natasha Cloud Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins Atlanta Dream Guard Allisha Gray Seattle Storm guard Erica Wheeler Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams Will Caitlin Clark compete in WNBA All-Star Game? No. Clark will not participate in the 3-point competition or the All-Star Game due to a right groin injury. "I am incredibly sad and disappointed to say I can't participate in the 3-Point contest or the All-Star Game. I have to rest my body." Clark said. "I will still be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for all the action and I'm looking forward to helping Sandy (Liberty coach Brondello) coach our team to a win." The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fastDownload for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2025 WNBA All-Star 3-point competition, skills challenge: How to watch
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
4-point shot and live-play subs highlight 2025 WNBA All-Star Game rule changes
Indiana Fever All-Star guard Caitlin Clark promised the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis will be "the best All-Star that the WNBA has ever had." The league is doing its part by implementing rule changes to make the Saturday matchup between Team Clark and Team Naphessa Collier even flashier and faster. On Wednesday, the WNBA announced four special rules will be in play at the All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to provide "added entertainment and an enhanced pace of play" for one night only on Saturday. The changes include a four-point shot deep from the logo and live-play substitutions similar to hockey. Special rules were first implemented at the 2022 All-Star game in Chicago, leading to Team A'ja Wilson's high-energy 134-112 win over Team Breanna Stewart. Here's a breakdown for each rule: AT&T 4-Point shot The 4-point shot is back. The 4-point shot was first implemented at the 2022 WNBA All-Star Game and made an appearance at the 2023 edition, before going on hiatus in the 2024 WNBA exhibition game between the U.S. women's national team and Team WNBA ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Each player will have the opportunity to score four points by shooting at a designated 'AT&T 4-Point Shot' area on the court, made up of four circles placed 28-feet from the rim, six feet further than the 3-point line. For every 4-point shot successfully made, AT&T will donate to a foundation selected by the WNBA and players. Live-play substitutions The WNBA is taking a page from the NHL's playbook. Team's will be allowed to make hockey-like player substitutions while the ball is in play, but only under certain conditions. The team on offense is the only one permitted to make a live-play substitution and only one player is allowed per possession. According to the WNBA: One player can exit the court and another can enter onto the court only while their team has possession of the ball in the backcourt. The players exiting and entering the court must do so in the backcourt between the 28-foot mark and the half-court line. Any violations of these conditions will result in a turnover. 20-second shot clock Bye-bye, 24 second shot clock. Players will have to get to the basket a little quicker as the shot clock will be shortened from 24 to 20 seconds. Following an offensive rebound, the shot clock will be reset to 14 seconds. No free throws Free throws are being shown the door. Anytime a player is required to shoot a free throw, they will "automatically be credited with the maximum available point(s) given the situation," the league explained. Free throws will only be in play in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fastDownload for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4-point shot, live-play subs highlight WNBA All-Star Game rule changes
Washington Post
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier set to reveal teams they drafted for WNBA All-Star Game
NEW YORK — Caitlin Clark and Naphessa Collier each have their draft strategy for the WNBA All-Star Game. The two captains chose their teams for the game that will be played on July 19 at Clark's home arena in Indianapolis. The squads will be revealed Tuesday night. There's intrigue whether Clark will draft Fever teammate Aliyah Boston with the No. 1 pick that the guard earned by getting the most fan votes. Or will she take three-time league MVP A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Clark also may try to draft All-Star reserve Kelsey Mitchell, who is another Indiana teammate. 'I think there's a high chance that Kels and AB will be on my team,' Clark said Monday at an open practice for season ticket holders. 'I'm going to do everything I can to get those two. I might trade the rest of my team for those two. I'm excited, it will be a lot of fun. That's what the All-Star Game is for, giving the fans something to cheer about.' Wilson said at practice Monday that she was fine wherever she was drafted. The Aces star has experience having been captain of the game a few times. She went against Breanna Stewart, who is also a starter again this year. 'Stewie and I always had fun, that's just us,' Wilson said. 'We took it seriously, but we also didn't. We just made sure we were happy with our choices. Stewie and I had our unwritten written rules. We had a good time we had an understanding of everything.' The other starters that Clark and Collier will choose from include rookie Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray, Satou Sabally and Nneka Ogwumike. Collier will get first pick of the reserves. Her teammate, Courtney Williams, is among the 12 players that were chosen by the league's 13 coaches. Other All-Stars include first-timers Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams and Washington rookies Kiki Iirafen and Sonia Citron. It's the first time there are three rookies in the All-Star Game since 2011. Seattle's Skylar Diggins, Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta's Rhyne Howard, Los Angeles' Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas' Jackie Young and Chicago's Angel Reese round out the players. ___ AP WNBA:
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier set to reveal teams they drafted for WNBA All-Star Game
Caitlin Clark and Naphessa Collier each have their draft strategy for the WNBA All-Star Game. The two captains chose their teams for the game that will be played on July 19 at Clark's home arena in Indianapolis. The squads will be revealed Tuesday night. There's intrigue whether Clark will draft Fever teammate Aliyah Boston with the No. 1 pick that the guard earned by getting the most fan votes. Or will she take three-time league MVP A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Clark also may try to draft All-Star reserve Kelsey Mitchell, who is another Indiana teammate. 'I think there's a high chance that Kels and AB will be on my team,' Clark said Monday at an open practice for season ticket holders. 'I'm going to do everything I can to get those two. I might trade the rest of my team for those two. I'm excited, it will be a lot of fun. That's what the All-Star Game is for, giving the fans something to cheer about.' Wilson said at practice Monday that she was fine wherever she was drafted. The Aces star has experience having been captain of the game a few times. She went against Breanna Stewart, who is also a starter again this year. 'Stewie and I always had fun, that's just us,' Wilson said. 'We took it seriously, but we also didn't. We just made sure we were happy with our choices. Stewie and I had our unwritten written rules. We had a good time we had an understanding of everything." The other starters that Clark and Collier will choose from include rookie Paige Bueckers, Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray, Satou Sabally and Nneka Ogwumike. Collier will get first pick of the reserves. Her teammate, Courtney Williams, is among the 12 players that were chosen by the league's 13 coaches. Other All-Stars include first-timers Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams and Washington rookies Kiki Iirafen and Sonia Citron. It's the first time there are three rookies in the All-Star Game since 2011. Seattle's Skylar Diggins, Phoenix's Alyssa Thomas, Atlanta's Rhyne Howard, Los Angeles' Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas' Jackie Young and Chicago's Angel Reese round out the players. ___
