Napheesa Collier had a standout performance as she contributed 27 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to assist the Minnesota Lynx in securing an 87-74 victory against the Las Vegas Aces. The Lynx, with a record of 21-8, are currently leading the Western Conference standings with a five-game winning streak, placing them two games ahead of the Seattle Storm. Furthermore, the Lynx have now clinched their third consecutive win against the two-time defending WNBA champion Aces.
Collier, shooting 11 of 15 from the field including 2 of 4 from beyond the arc, also recorded five assists and two steals. Alanna Smith added 15 points for the Lynx, while Courtney Williams contributed 13 points before exiting the game due to a non-contact injury in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Natisha Hiedeman and Kayla McBride chipped in with 12 points each.
Minnesota took control of the game in the second half, outscoring the Aces 22-6 in the initial stages to extend their lead to 62-45. Although Las Vegas attempted to narrow the gap, they could not surpass the Lynx’s lead. A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 24 points and seven rebounds, supported by Jackie Young and Tiffany Hayes with 12 points each, and Kelsey Plum with 11 points.
Despite Wilson’s strong performance in the third quarter where she scored 11 points, the Aces struggled as a team, allowing the Lynx to outscore them 25-15 in the period. Las Vegas, with a record of 17-11, has faced difficulties in their recent games, losing four of their last five matches following a break for the Paris Olympics. The Aces had previously defeated the Lynx 80-66 in May, but Minnesota dominated in their subsequent encounters, winning by double digits, including a 98-87 victory on the road.