The Minnesota Lynx entered the semifinal series against the Phoenix Mercury with momentum and ambition, but Game 3 brought a storm they could not avoid. An 84–76 defeat put them down 2–1 in the best-of-five series, and what unfolded in the final seconds of that contest left the franchise with more questions than answers. Napheesa Collier, the centerpiece of the team, suffered an apparent ankle fracture. At nearly the same moment, head coach Cheryl Reeve was ejected after her fury with the officials boiled over. Together, those events have turned the spotlight on the Lynx as they attempt to fight their way back into contention.
Collier’s Sudden Fall
With just 21.8 seconds left in regulation, Collier went down clutching her left ankle after contact with Phoenix forward Alyssa Thomas. The play ended with Thomas scoring at the other end, while Collier struggled on the floor in visible pain. No foul was called. For Minnesota, the silence of the whistle felt louder than the Mercury’s crowd. Collier did not return, and Reeve later revealed in her postgame remarks that the star forward “probably has a fracture.”
The injury could not have come at a worse time. Collier had been enjoying her finest season as a professional, finishing as runner-up for Most Valuable Player after averaging 22.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. She had already overcome a right ankle sprain earlier in the year that sidelined her for seven games. Now, with the Lynx trailing in the semifinals, her future in the series is in jeopardy.
Reeve’s Breaking Point
Collier’s collapse set the stage for Reeve’s eruption. Moments later, Reeve charged onto the floor, outraged that no foul was called on the play. She received her second technical foul of the night and was ejected with under 24 seconds left. Her emotions did not cool afterward.
Speaking to reporters, Reeve lambasted the officiating crew, calling their performance “awful” and questioning how such a group was deemed playoff-worthy. She emphasized that one of the league’s premier players had finished the night with zero free throws despite absorbing heavy contact throughout the game. “This is the look our league wants, for some reason,” she said, adding that the lack of protection for players like Collier is damaging the product. Her words escalated into a full-throated demand for changes in how the WNBA manages its officiating standards.
The Weight of Collier’s Absence
The loss of Collier, even for a single game, changes the entire complexion of the series. She scored 17 points with six rebounds before the injury, but beyond statistics, her presence is the steadying force of the Lynx on both ends. Without her, Minnesota must turn to Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller, and Dorka Juhász to provide scoring and defensive toughness. It is a heavy task, especially against a Mercury team that has found its stride behind Satou Sabally, who scored 23 points in the Game 3 victory.
The Broader Picture
This was not the first time physical play has become a storyline in the postseason, but for the Lynx, the stakes are uniquely high. As the No. 1 seed, they entered the playoffs with aspirations of returning to championship glory. Instead, they now face elimination on the road in Phoenix while their franchise player battles uncertainty with her health.
Reeve’s outburst may have been fueled by years of accumulated frustration. She has long argued that referees allow too much unchecked physicality, which not only disrupts the flow of the game but also places players at unnecessary risk. Collier’s injury provided the perfect, if painful, example for her case.
What Comes Next
The Mercury can clinch a place in the Finals with a win in Game 4. For Minnesota, the focus turns to survival. The immediate question is whether Collier can recover in time to play, or whether the team will need to find a way forward without her. Even if she does return, questions about her mobility and effectiveness will linger.
For now, the Lynx are caught in the tension between urgency and uncertainty. Their star is injured, their coach is calling for reform at the highest levels of the league, and their season hangs by a thread.
Conclusion
Game 3 was more than just a playoff loss. It was a night that tested the heart of the Minnesota Lynx. Napheesa Collier’s injury raised fears about her future, while Cheryl Reeve’s ejection captured the frustration of a team that feels wronged by the system meant to protect them. The coming days will determine whether this season ends in disappointment or whether the Lynx can summon resilience to extend their fight.
