Collier hit a short jumper, the Lynx forced a shot-clock violation on the other end and then Collier made two free throws to tie it 68-all with 1:38 to play. Marina Mabrey missed a 3-point shot for the Sun before Natisha Hiedeman hit a straight-away 3 to cap an 18-0 run and give Minnesota its first lead of the game.

They improved to 4-0 on Friday with a 76-70 win over the Connecticut Sun, the team they defeated in the semifinals in five games last season. Forward Napheesa Collier continued her stellar play to begin 2025 with 33 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and three blocks.