Napheesa Collier fires playful warning at Geno Auriemma's loyalty after Game 4 thriller

Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart both played under legendary coach Geno Auriemma at the University of Connecticut. But only one of them apparently received a message of support before the critical Game 4 of the WNBA Finals on Friday night.

New York Liberty forward Stewart and Minnesota Lynx forward Collier, who played alongside each other at UConn, are currently going head-to-head in a riveting WNBA championship series. After Stewart received a text message from Auriemma encouraging her to go out and score 50 points, Collier playfully fired back at her former coach.

"It sounds like he's rooting for them. He didn't text that to me. Looks like I'm going to have to text him about some things now," Collier said during her postgame press conference.

The Lynx won Game 4 82-80, with Collier finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds. The WNBA Finals are now tied at 2-2, with the all-important Game 5 set to take place on Sunday.

Geno Auriemma is the most decorated coach in women's college basketball history. The 70-year-old is set to begin his 40th season as the school's coach. Over that period, he has transformed the Huskies basketball program into one of the most respected in the nation.

Auriemma won his first NCAA Tournament title in 1995 and has clinched 10 national championships since then, more than any other coach in women's college basketball history. He has led the Huskies to six undefeated seasons and has been named the Naismith Coach of the Year on eight occasions.

With Collier, Stewart and Dorka Juhasz all in the finals, Auriemma also made the trip out to Barclays Center for Game 2 of the series on Oct. 13 to see his former players in action.

Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart were both part of UConn's 2016 team that won the national championship. Stewart was fortunate to win three more titles under Auriemma's leadership between 2013 and 2015.

All-Stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart are amid a fascinating WNBA Finals

New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart shoots as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier defends at Target Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

Napheese Collier and Breanna Stewart are two of the headline names at a highly anticipated 2024 WNBA Finals that promised a lot and has delivered so far. The Liberty and Lynx boast the most talented rosters in the league and are led by two of the WNBA's most respected coaches, Cheryl Reeve and Sandy Brondello.

The series has been a fascinating back-and-forth battle with Minnesota, edging Game 1 in a thrilling overtime win. Two-time WNBA MVP Stewart had a strong outing in Game 2, finishing with a game-high 21 points to help her team level the series. New York took Game 3 in Minneapolis before Minnesota emerged victorious in a closely contested Game 4 to tie up the series.

Napheesa Collier has been outstanding this season for Minnesota and will need to be at her best if the Lynx have any chance of winning their first championship since 2017. Collier is looking to win her first WNBA championship this season.