Napheesa Collier retracts comments on Diana Taurasis’s retirement

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Lynx host the Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday night at Target Center for the second game of their WNBA playoff series.

The Lynx lead the best-of-three series 1-0 after a 102-95 win on Sunday night. If the Lynx win Game 2 on Wednesday, they will eliminate the Mercury and advance to the WNBA semifinals. It could also mark the end of an era for Phoenix guard Diana Taurasi, who may retire after this year. Napheesa Collier spoke about it after the game.

“It seems like it’s her farewell tour, she’s been keeping a pretty low profile. I’m glad I got to play with her on Team USA and against her, and hopefully we can end her career on Wednesday,” Collier said.

When she made that comment, coach Cheryl Reeve’s eyes widened. Collier walked back those comments on Sunday night at X.

“OK, I just meant that I want us to win the game on Wednesday, so we don’t have to go to a third game, please don’t hype it up,” Collier said.

Bridget Carleton’s big hit

It came after a botched play, but Bridget Carleton made perhaps the most important shot of the game to end Game 1. She dribbled left and sank a 3-pointer that gave the Lynx a 98-92 lead with 38 seconds left.

Carleton had 12 points that night.

“That’s huge. This is a team where everyone believes in each other. They all have the confidence in themselves to step in when they need to,” Reeve said. “I think they all started yelling at her, that speaks to her confidence and the team’s confidence in her.”

The Lynx are seeking their first playoff series win since 2020 and can do so on Wednesday.