The WNBA playoffs just kicked off on Sunday, and already, we’ve got four teams staring down elimination! Tonight, both the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever are fighting for their season, facing off against the New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces, respectively. The stakes are sky-high, especially after some truly wild Game 1s.
Collier’s 80 Percent and the Lynx’s Uphill Battle
Can you believe what went down in Minneapolis? The No. 8 Liberty absolutely stunned the No. 1 Lynx, winning 91-75 on Sunday. Now, the Liberty have a chance to make WNBA history, becoming the first No. 8 seed to ever topple a No. 1 seed, and they’ll try to do it in front of their home crowd at Barclays Center. Talk about pressure! A lot of the heat has been on Rookie of the Year winner Olivia Miles, who had a tough postseason debut with just 11 points on 25% shooting, eight rebounds, and one assist. Yeah, Miles needs to step up, no doubt. But honestly, the veterans need to carry the load and take the pressure off her, especially Napheesa Collier.
Collier, a true force, only managed 12 points, five boards, and three assists in Game 1. She got into foul trouble in the third quarter and pretty much became a bystander for the rest of the game, putting up only four points on 2-for-6 shooting in the entire final 20 minutes as the Liberty pulled away. Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, who just won her fifth WNBA Coach of the Year award, didn’t mince words after the game. She told reporters, “I’d like her to be more assertive. She’s great when she moves. You know, she’s just like Stewie when she moves.” And comparing anyone to “Stewie” , especially on a day when Breanna Stewart dropped 34 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks , shows you the level Collier is capable of.
From MVP Runner-Up to Tonight’s Elimination Game
Collier isn’t just “capable” of that level; she’s been there! She was runner-up to A’ja Wilson for MVP in both 2024 and 2025, and finished fourth behind Stewart, Wilson, and Alyssa Thomas the year before that. The problem? Injuries have completely derailed her MVP trajectory. She started having ankle issues last August, then missed the first 28 games this year after undergoing two ankle surgeries in the offseason. She estimates she’s “closer to 80 percent” health right now, which is just brutal. Despite not being 100 percent, she’s still talented enough to have a massive impact on the game. The Lynx had a better regular season than anyone expected, thanks to Miles’s quick adjustments and Reeve’s stellar coaching. But to be a championship team, they need Collier to absolutely show up, especially tonight.
Over on the other side of the bracket, the No. 3 Aces absolutely trounced the No. 6 Fever 102-85 in their Game 1. Now, the Aces are heading to Indianapolis, looking to sweep the Fever and close out the series. Can the Lynx overcome Collier’s injury struggles and fight back at Barclays Center? Can the Fever find a way to stave off elimination at home against the Aces? Tonight’s going to be absolutely wild, folks. Don’t miss a second!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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