ST. LOUIS — St. Louisan Napheesa Collier had a season to remember in leading the Minnesota Lynx to a runner-up finish in the WNBA playoffs.
The New York Liberty edged the Lynx 67-62 in overtime in the fifth and deciding game of a tremendous WNBA Finals series on Sunday night in Brooklyn.
Collier, the former Incarnate Word Academy All-American, had another remarkable performance with 22 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks in Game 5. Her performance was the climax of what was a historic postseason that she enjoyed.
In her sixth season as a pro, Collier became a next-level superstar with what she was able to accomplish throughout the playoffs. Her achievements include:
*Most points in a single postseason.
*Most points in a single playoff game. Her 42 points in Game 2 against the Phoenix Mercury tied a WNBA playoff record, which was set by Breanna Stewart of the Liberty.
*Most stocks (combination of steals and blocks) in a single postseason.
*Collier was the only player in WNBA playoff history to average 40 points in a playoff series, which she accomplished against Phoenix.
In 12 postseason games, Collier averaged 23.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks while shooting 49 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line while averaging 39 minutes a game.
Collier’s regular-season performance was just as impressive as she was named the Defensive Player of the Year. She also finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting to star forward A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces.
Collier was named to the All-WNBA First Team and the WNBA All-Defensive First Team. She led the Lynx to the WNBA’s Commissioner’s Cup championship while earning MVP honors in the mid-season tournament. She also earned her second gold medal as a starter with the USA Olympic team.
