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Chris Paul, like many in the basketball community, saw a clutch performance from Minnesota Lynx superstar Napheesa Collier against the New York Liberty. The MVP runner-up scored 21 points on 10-for-16 shooting to lead the Lynx to a pulsating 95-93 win in overtime. Collier’s last shot with 8.1 seconds in OT gave Minnesota a 1-0 lead in the WNBA Finals.
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The score was tied at 93 apiece with 20.2 seconds remaining in the extra period. Collier received a pass just inside the free throw line while hounded by the 6-foot-6 Jonquel Jones. “Phee” faked right before turning left to hit a 12-footer over Jones’ outstretched arms.
Chris Paul reacted to the game by posting on X/Twitter:
“Lynx vs Liberty game is so damn good!! Great Basketball being played!!!!! Big shot making!! #WNBAFinals”
Napheesa Collier made the go-ahead shot but the game featured several clutch baskets, particularly in overtime. The Liberty had a chance to win Game 1 but Breanna Stewart missed a free throw with 0.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Tied at 84-84 heading into the extra period, the next five minutes was a back-and-forth of clutch shotmaking. Collier and Courtney Williams stood out for Minnesota. Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones carried New York. Stewart had a chance to force a second overtime but flubbed a layup with a second remaining.
Napheesa Collier stepped up when the Lynx needed her most
Minnesota had only a day to prepare for the WNBA Finals after outlasting the Connecticut Sun in the semifinals. Collier and Co. were at a disadvantage after a long and tough series but were undeterred. Despite trailing 32-19 after the first quarter, they refused to cave in.
Collier, averaging a playoff-best 27.1 points per game before the finals, stepped up when the Lynx needed her the most. She scored clutch baskets and slowed down Liberty superstar Breanna Stewart.
In her first finals appearance, “Phee” showed the No. 2 seeded Lynx could upset the top-ranked Liberty in the series.
The Lynx and Liberty meet again in Game 2 of the Finals at Barclays Center on Sunday.
