ARLINGTON, Texas — In a season opener pitting former UConn stars with huge expectations towards one another, Napheesa Collier scored 34 factors to outshine the WNBA debut of Paige Bueckers within the Minnesota Lynx’s 99-84 win over the Dallas Wings on Friday evening.
Collier tied the Lynx document for many factors in a season opener. Courtney Williams added 25 factors and 9 assists for Minnesota. Bueckers scored 10 factors for Dallas.
An early MVP candidate, Collier stated she’s extra considering getting the Lynx, who misplaced within the WNBA Finals to the New York Liberty final season, over the hump.
“I am truthfully centered on greater than MVP,” she stated. “I would like us to win a championship this yr, so that is what I am centered on. The awards come after that. … I wish to see a championship.”
Bueckers stated she and Collier had “good ol’ pleasant UConn chat” at instances on the courtroom, including that the 2 had a connection due to their background as Huskies in addition to enjoying along with USA Basketball.
“It is extraordinarily enjoyable to play towards Phee. She’s simply the final word competitor and she or he brings out the very best in you as a result of she’s among the best within the league,” Bueckers stated. “To be on the opposite facet and wish to beat one another is enjoyable, as nicely. I believe that is the final word signal of respect.”
Collier scored 18 factors within the third quarter, blowing open a good recreation and giving the Lynx a 15-point lead after three because the Wings appeared to tire.
Bueckers stated she would not get too excessive or too low, saying she was pleased to get her first WNBA recreation below her belt.
“You have to have a place to begin,” the No. 1 draft decide stated. “You have to have a basis to construct on. So we do not wish to overreact to the loss, however we additionally know there’s a whole lot of issues you need to clear up and get higher at.”
The 2 stars will get one other shot towards one another Wednesday, when the Wings journey to Minneapolis, about 10 miles from Bueckers’ hometown of Hopkins, Minnesota. Regardless of the hometown workforce dealing with her, Hopkins modified its identify to “Paige Bueckers, Minnesota” on Friday in honor of her professional debut.
