The Lynx have faced the Sky so frequently — six times since May, including three times in July — that Cheryl Reeve joked their matchups feel like “Groundhog Day.”
Napheesa Collier, in particular, has experienced a unique form of déjà vu. Every time she matches up against the Sky’s Angel Reese, she sees her fingerprints all over the young star’s game. A mentor-mentee bond the two formed through Unrivaled, the 3X3 league founded by Collier and Breanna Stewart, has made the competition feel personal — in the best way possible.
“It’s like, I want you to develop, but maybe not against us,” Collier joked Tuesday after the Lynx beat the Sky 91-68 in the last regular-season matchup of the teams. “I mean, I feel like that’s what it is about — paying it forward, especially helping the younger generation to develop, to get better.”
Collier’s impact on Reese is yet another example of the All-Star MVP’s leadership abilities that her coaches and teammates routinely praise.
Reeve said she’s jealous of Collier’s “grace.” Courtney Williams described her as everyone’s “mama” and complimented her “aura.” Natisha Hiedeman said Collier leads by example in a way that feels “seamless.”
Reese worked with Collier and Collier’s husband, trainer Alex Bazzell, in the offseason.
They focused on expanding Reese’s shooting range but also on staying poised and patient. Reese credited the two for challenging her and helping her grow — especially in her confidence.