Minnesota overcomes sluggish start and Collier’s absence to outlast Las Vegas, will host Indiana in Cup Final
In a game that tested their depth, resolve, and championship aspirations, the Minnesota Lynx rallied from a rocky start and the early loss of MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier to secure a gritty 76-62 win over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday night. With the victory, Minnesota locked up its second straight Commissioner’s Cup Final appearance and will host the title game on July 1 at Target Center in Minneapolis.
But the celebration comes with an asterisk: Collier, who leads the WNBA in scoring and has been the heartbeat of the Lynx’s 11-1 season start, exited the game at the 7:57 mark of the third quarter with a lower back injury. She did not return. Head coach Cheryl Reeve offered no immediate update postgame, leaving her availability for upcoming games—and the Cup Final itself—in question.
“We’ve got to win. So whatever that looks like, that’s what I am going to do,” said Courtney Williams, who dropped 20 points in Collier’s absence to spearhead Minnesota’s comeback.
A Game of Halves—and Resolve
The opening half was uncharacteristically sluggish for the Lynx. They went scoreless for over three minutes to start the game and failed to hit a single three-pointer in the first quarter, going 0-for-8 from deep. The Aces pounced on their lethargy, building a double-digit lead midway through the second quarter behind defensive intensity and a 14-2 run that put them up 39-30 by halftime.
Natisha Hiedeman’s spark off the bench and Diamond Miller’s timely buckets kept Minnesota within striking distance, but Las Vegas looked in control through two quarters, even while missing key stars A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.
Then came the shift.
Minnesota turned the tide in the third quarter with a suffocating defense that completely disrupted Las Vegas’ offensive rhythm. A 10-1 run tied the game at 40 before Collier’s back injury sidelined her. Rather than fold, the Lynx found their rhythm and responded with unity. Miller scored seven in the third, and Minnesota’s ball movement and team defense created consistent scoring chances. They closed the third with a 56-52 lead, having outscored the Aces 26-13 in the frame.
Williams and Defense Seal It
With the fourth quarter underway and the outcome still in doubt, Williams took over. The veteran guard ignited a 14-2 run to open the final frame, scoring 11 of those points herself. Minnesota’s defense smothered the Aces down the stretch, holding them scoreless for more than six minutes and never allowing them to re-enter the game.
Hiedeman and Miller each added 12 points off the bench, highlighting Minnesota’s depth and balance—qualities that will be vital if Collier misses time.
Road to the Final
The win secured Minnesota the Western Conference Commissioner’s Cup berth with a 5-1 record in Cup play. They’ll host the Indiana Fever, who advanced earlier in the day with a convincing 88-71 win over the Connecticut Sun. Indiana also finished 4-1 in Cup play, winning the tiebreaker over New York by virtue of their head-to-head win.
This marks a significant storyline: the Lynx and Fever haven’t yet played this season and won’t face each other in the regular season until August. But come July 1, the WNBA’s in-season title will be on the line between a surging veteran squad and a rising team led by rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.
Despite the Fever’s strong play, they’ll enter the final as underdogs, carrying a 6-5 record compared to Minnesota’s dominant 11-1 mark. The Lynx’s opportunity to host—earned by their higher winning percentage—adds another layer of advantage. Last year, they won the Cup in New York, toppling the Liberty on their home turf. This year, they'll look to defend their title with the Target Center crowd behind them.
“I think the players are excited about that,” said Reeve. “For our fans, it’s exciting... But we’ve got to put that in the drawer for now. We have other games to work through.”
Minnesota will play four regular-season games before the final. Indiana will have five. The timing and intensity of these games may shape the availability of Collier and the rhythm of both teams heading into their high-stakes showdown.
A New Era of Competition
Since its inception in 2021, the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup has become a meaningful fixture in the league calendar, offering a midseason trophy, prize money, and a platform for teams to assert themselves beyond the traditional standings. Previous winners include Seattle, Las Vegas, New York, and Minnesota. The 2025 edition added an extra layer of complexity with the inclusion of expansion franchise Golden State, resulting in unequal Cup games between the East and West.
This asymmetry—six Cup games for the West, five for the East—adds nuance to the qualification process. But what remains constant is the opportunity: a winner-take-all game, an early-season marker of supremacy, and a proving ground for MVP hopefuls and title contenders.
Final Takeaway
Minnesota’s victory over Las Vegas wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement. Even without their star, they showed poise, depth, and defensive identity. If Collier returns in time for the final, the Lynx will enter as strong favorites. But even if she doesn’t, Tuesday night proved they have the tools—and the heart—to compete for back-to-back Commissioner’s Cup titles.
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