With only three games left for each team in the WNBA regular season, the race for a playoff spot is nearing its end. That has significantly raised the intensity of the matches between the teams making a run for the playoffs. The 5th-seeded Minnesota Lynx took on the 6th-seeded Atlanta Dream on Saturday. In a heated encounter that went to overtime, the Minnesota Lynx came out on top with a 91-85 victory. Their star player, Napheesa Collier, put up monster numbers, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds, and 3 assists.

There was a scary moment during the match when the Lynx fans feared their superstar could not continue the match. Napheesa got tangled up in an aggressive play during the third quarter. This infuriated the Lynx Head Coach and 6-time WNBA champion Cheryl Reeve over the referee, not calling a foul on the play.

Napheesa Collier nearly breaks her arm

With one minute remaining in the third quarter and her team trailing by 3 points, Collier jumped to get an offensive board on a missed three-point attempt. Dream Forward Naz Hillmon also got her hands on the ball, and both players got into a tussle to grab the rebound. As Hillmon grabbed the ball with both hands, the 3-time All-Star’s arm got stuck between Hillmon’s hands and shoulders. The Atlanta forward applied some force to get hold of the ball, bending Nafeesa’s arm at an awkward angle, nearly dislocating it from the socket. The Lynx star player fell to the floor, grabbing her arm. But the referee did not call a foul on the play, and Atlanta ran the other way, initiating a fast break.

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With their star unable to get back on defense, Minnesota players had no option, but intentionally foul the Atlanta player. This gives them a free throw and ball possession. Thankfully, Collier got back on her feet and walked towards the bench, high-fiving her teammates. After watching the replay, Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve got furious at the referee for not calling a foul on the play. Although it was a scary play, the referee made the right decision by not calling a foul because Hillmon had her hands on the ball.

Minnesota Lynx bounced back to win the match

After the aggressive play, AD Durr from the Atlanta Hawks missed the free throw. In a thrilling 4th quarter, both teams played amazing basketball, tying the match at the final buzzer. Minnesota outscored Atlanta 17-11 in overtime, solidifying their spot in the standings over the Atlanta Dream.

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Nafeesa Collier has proven to be the leader for the Minnesota Lynx this season. The 2019 Rookie of the Year is averaging a career-high 21.3 points and 8.4 rebounds this season. Lynx fans would be grateful their star player was not seriously hurt during the match so close to the playoffs.

Sitting comfortably at the 5th spot, the 6-time Champion Cheryl Reeve will look to win her 7th ring with the Minnesota Lynx this year. Although it is a very tall task, it is not impossible to achieve that goal with their leader Nafeesa Collier in an elite form. Who do you think will win the 2023 WNBA Championship?

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