Minnesota Lynx hero Napheesa Collier issued a statement of intent as she vowed “no one cares if you’re tired” after her masterclass in Game 1 of the WNBA finals versus the New York Liberty.
The visitors stunned spectators at Barclays Center, rallying back from 18 points down in the first half of proceedings to win 95-93 in overtime. Not since 1999 has a team oveturned such a significant deficit during the finals, with the forward eventually on hand with the game-winner with just 8.8 seconds left on the clock.
During a true virtuoso performance, the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year tallied up 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and six blocks. Her joy was plain to see during the aftermath of the game too as she reflected on a memorable showing on the road.
Speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe, the four-time All Star allowed a rare insight into her mindset as she issued a signal of her desire to lead her team to success during the finals. Vowing that fatigue is the last thing on her mind, she asserted: “This is the Finals, no one cares if you’re tired.”
Meanwhile, teammate Courtney Williams – who racked up 23 points of her own on the night – was also fully aware that the Minnesota players had created their own piece of history versus the Liberty. Looking back at a compelling contest, she said: “The basketball gods were on our side tonight.
As for Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve, she paid tribute to her players for their resilience after their stunning comeback. She said: “We’re the first team in WNBA playoff history to be down 15 (in the final five minutes) and come back and win the game.
Napheesa Collier of the Minnesota Lynx issued a major statement of intent following a stunning win (
David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
“So that ranks really high. I think it defines our team. Getting through difficult times. That’s what we’ve been talking about. You have to be mentally tough, resilient. … Thrilled that we could hang in there.”
On the other side of the battle, Liberty power forward Breanna Stewart was insistent that her team will regroup after what was a sobering defeat. Looking back at how the game played out, she said: “We just take it on the chin, you know.
“We were up a lot and then we had a wild kind of sequence to end the fourth. Didn’t start overtime great. I had a great look at the end and I didn’t make it. But I think that this is a series. We wanted to really win, obviously, for home court. But the beauty is, we have another game on Sunday and we’ll be ready.”
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