Collier Scores 32 as Lynx Defeat Fever 97-84

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) works toward the basket as Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS — Napheesa Collier had 32 points and nine rebounds in her return from a seven-game absence, and the Minnesota Lynx beat the Indiana Fever 97-84 on Sunday night.Collier, who was the favorite to win WNBA MVP before she suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of a 111-58 win over Las Vegas on Aug. 2, shot 11 for 19 from the field."Courtney Williams had 14 points and 10 assists with no turnovers for Minnesota (30-7)," said the game report. "Kayla McBride and Maria Kliundikova scored 13 points apiece."Kelsey Mitchell led Indiana (19-18) with 26 points on 7-for-12 shooting, while Shey Peddy scored a season-high 16. Aliyah Boston had 14 points, and Natasha Howard scored 10.The Lynx took control in the second quarter, with Kliundikova scoring or assisting every point during an 11-0 run that gave them a 52-45 lead at halftime. Collier hit a short jumper and then a three-pointer to give the Lynx a 12-point lead just 46 seconds into the third quarter.The Fever trailed by at least nine points for the rest of the game, ultimately falling 97-84.Minnesota shot 57.1% from the field (36 of 63) and 3-point range (12 of 21), and hit 13 of 14 (92.9%) from the free-throw line.The Lynx beat Indiana 95-90 on Friday, while the Fever won the Commissioner's Cup championship on July 1 with a 74-59 victory over Minnesota.The Fever will host Seattle on Tuesday before the Storm visit the Lynx on Thursday.