MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The WNBA today named Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier the Western Conference Player of the Week for games played August 19 through August 25. The Player of the Week award is the first of her career.
During the week, the 6-foot-1 forward led all scorers and rebounders in two of the three contests while leading all players in steals in each game during the week, averaging 18.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.33 steals per game during that stretch. She currently ranks second among rookies in scoring (12.7 ppg) as well as fifth overall in steals (1.93 spg) and third overall in minutes played (32.8 mpg).
On August 20 against Los Angeles, Collier contributed 14 points, a team-high seven rebounds, a team-high four assists and a season-high-tying four steals, her second 4×4 effort (pts/reb/ast/stl) of the season. She’s the first rookie to have a 4×4 since Los Angeles guard Ana Dabović in 2015 and the first rookie to register two such games since Parker in 2008 for the Sparks. After finishing with 19 points against Dallas on August 22, Collier became the fourth Lynx rookie to score in double figures in at least 10 consecutive games and first since Candice Wiggins in 2008. Last night against Las Vegas, Collier finished with 23 points for Minnesota, her third 20+ effort of the season and the fifth time she’s been the Lynx’ top scorer. Collier also pulled down a team-best six rebounds, the seventh time in 10 August outings she’s led.
She’s now scored in double figures in each of her last 11 games, averaging 15.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.8 apg and 2.00 spg in those 11 (33.4 mpg) while shooting 53.9% (69-for-128) from the field, 36.0% (9-for-25) from long range and 85.7% (24-for-28) from the line.
Chicago’s Courtney Vandersloot was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.
The Lynx play next on Tuesday, August 27 against the Chicago Sky at Target Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT
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