Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier was asked what Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi may do after the end of the season:
— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) September 22, 2024
“Hopefully we can end her career on Wednesday,” Collier said jokingly.#WNBA #WNBAPlayoffs #ValleyTogether #LynxRecognize pic.twitter.com/NFtDNZ6bbU
She might be right after all.
Collier exploded for a career and playoff-high 42 points and the Lynx used a strong third quarter en route to 101-88 Game 2 win over Taurasi and Mercury. The win enabled Minnesota to complete the WNBA semifinals cast alongside the New York Liberty, Las Vegas Aces, and the Connecticut Sun.
The Minnesota Lynx defeat the Phoenix Mercury 101-88 to secure the final spot in the Semi-Finals 🙌
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
Napheesa Collier led the way with a monster 42-PT performance to tie the WNBA postseason record for points in a single game!#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/ChKsuSZ48q
The four-time WNBA All-Star followed up her 38-point explosion in their Game 1 victory, with a monster 40-point outing including 23 markers alone in the first half of Game 2.
Napheesa Collier checks out of the game and ends the night with 42 PTS, tying both Breanna Stewart (2022) and Angel McCoughtry (2010) for most points scored in a WNBA playoff game 👏 pic.twitter.com/yNvJarZIh4
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) September 26, 2024
Collier broke the 40-point barrier after hitting a three-pointer in the left wing for a commanding 96-81 Lynx lead with 4:08 seconds left in regulation.
Make that 41 PTS for Phee 🤯
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
She is now just 2 PTS shy of setting the WNBA Playoffs record for points in a single game!#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google https://t.co/ryzMEO2rml pic.twitter.com/D7adrG6fuX
The four-time WNBA All-Star tied the all-time WNBA playoff single game record in points after hitting a free-throw with 3:19 ticks remaining as Minnesota was still leading, 97-84.
Napheesa Collier ties the WNBA postseason record for points in a single game with 42 PTS and counting 👏#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/twUQNzwGFV
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
Kayla McBride added 15 markers while Bridget Carleton poured in 12 points for the Lynx, who rode a 27-17 third quarter to arrange a playoff rematch with the no. 3 Connecticut Sun.
On the other hand, Taurasi finished with 10 points and fouled out in the game with 2:34 seconds left as uncertainty now clouds her future.
A three-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP and the league’s all-time scoring leader, the 42-year-old received a standing ovation from the Minnesota crowd as she headed towards the bench.
A standing ovation for Diana Taurasi in the Target Center 👏 pic.twitter.com/JzQxpEbQYa
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 26, 2024
Brittney Griner paced the Mercury with 24 points, Natasha Cloud added 16 markers as three other Phoenix players tallied twin digit outputs.
