Collier went for 42 points in a 101-88 win.
The semifinals of the 2024 WNBA playoffs were officially set on Wednesday night. After the Connecticut Sun took care of business in their series against the Indiana Fever earlier in the evening, the Minnesota Lynx played host to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 2 of their opening round matchup, and behind Napheesa Collier’s monster night, Minnesota was able to defend its home court and wrap up the series with a 101-88 win.
Things were tight in the opening minutes, but thanks to a 9-0 run, Phoenix was able to open up an early lead that it did not relinquish for the remainder of the first quarter — they took a 25-21 lead into the second. The 1-2 punch of Natasha Cloud and Diana Taurasi combined to score 16 of the team’s 25 points in the opening frame.
It looked like Minnesota was going to blow the game wide open in the second. The Lynx started the frame on a 19-6 run and led by as many as nine points, completely imposing themselves on the Mercury behind an absolutely ridiculous half from Napheesa Collier, who scored 23 points in the first half for the second consecutive game in the series.
Make that 9 PTS and counting in the 1Q for Napheesa Collier ????#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/1pqtDGrJog
WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
19 POINTS in the 1st half for Napheesa Collier ????#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/osnIwhqNXd
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
But thanks to a quick, 7-0 spurt towards the end of the half, Phoenix was able to keep things in arm’s reach as the two teams went to the locker room, as Minnesota held onto a 49-47 lead.
