Napheesa Collier powered the Minnesota Lynx to an 85-81 win over the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night. Collier scored 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds, marking her third straight 20-point game. The Lynx are now 3-0 to start the 2025 WNBA season after beating Dallas twice in five days and spoiling Paige Bueckers’ return to Target Center.
Collier, who shot 12-for-12 from the free throw line and logged 37 minutes, delivered another efficient performance to lead Minnesota in its home opener. The Lynx now holds wins over Dallas and the Los Angeles Sparks, riding the momentum from last season’s WNBA Finals run.
Fans Highlight Napheesa Collier’s MVP Case After Dominant Start to 2025 Season
With another high-efficiency game and clutch free throws to close it out, Napheesa Collier drew praise across social media. Fans were quick to jumpstart her MVP campaign.
One user wrote, “MVP season loading.” Another added, “She might b better than A’ja.” A third said, “Solid games Napheesa Collier.”
Napheesa Collier’s first 3 games of the season:
28 PTS – 8 REB – 2 AST
23 PTS – 6 REB – 2 STL
34 PTS – 4 REB – 4 AST3-0 🔥
(Via @realapp_ ) pic.twitter.com/91ciFWHtgg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral)
Collier shot 8-of-16 from the field, adding two assists and two steals while playing nearly the entire game. Minnesota needed every bit of her effort after Dallas cut the lead to just two points in the final minute. Collier sealed the win from the foul line, finishing a perfect night at the stripe.
Minnesota also got key contributions from Courtney Williams, who finished with 13 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. Alanna Smith added 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks. In total, six Lynx players scored at least nine points.
Paige Bueckers Records First WNBA Double-Double in Return to Target Center
Top overall pick Paige Bueckers made her first return to Minneapolis as a professional on Wednesday night. The former Hopkins High School star, who once won a state title at Target Center, started slow but bounced back in the second half to finish with 12 points and 10 assists.
Bueckers went scoreless in the first half, missing all four of her shots. She responded after the break with stronger passing and better control of the offense. According to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou, she became just the third player in WNBA history to record a points-assists double-double within her first three career games.
Paige Bueckers tonight (vs Lynx):
12 Points (3-11 FG)
1 Rebound
10 Assists (5.0 AST/TO)
3 Steals
44% TSTough shooting night for the rook, strong work everywhere else pic.twitter.com/e6nRYmKAFr
— Paige Report (@paige_report)
While shooting remains a concern—she finished 3-of-11 from the field—her passing and movement off the ball gave Dallas a lift down the stretch. Through three games, Bueckers is shooting 13-for-35 overall.
Veteran guard Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with 21 points and five 3-pointers. With her performance, she tied Diana Taurasi as the fastest player in league history to reach 500 made 3s, doing so in 198 games.
MORE: Bueckers Makes History Despite 0-3 Start
Dallas, now 0-3, is still trying to find its rhythm after a full roster overhaul this offseason. Along with Bueckers, the Wings added NaLyssa Smith, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris, and Myisha Hines-Allen in a bid to rebuild around Ogunbowale. The chemistry is still a work in progress, but the talent is obvious.
Minnesota will try to stay unbeaten in its next matchup, while Dallas searches for its first win in a tough Western Conference.