Napheesa Collier's monster game leads Lynx past Aces for second time in three nights

They say to be the best you have to beat the best.

That's something the Lynx have done thrice now this season.

Napheesa Collier was once again dominant and the Lynx used a third-quarter push to dispatch the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces for the second time in three nights, picking up an 87-74 victory Friday night at Target Center in Minneapolis.

It's the third time the Lynx (21-8) have beat the defending champs in four tries this season. The two teams will not meet again barring a potential playoff matchup.

Jackie Young made a layup and a 3, and Tiffany Hayes was fouled by Collier on her made layup and hit the free throw to get the Aces within five. Young split a pair of free throws to get them within four with 6 minutes, 14 seconds remaining, but that was as close as they'd get as Kayla McBride hit a 3 to extend the Lynx lead back to seven.

That sparked a 7-2 Lynx run to answer the 9-0 run from the Aces.

While A'ja Wilson did her best to keep the Aces (17-11) within reach in the third quarter, scoring 11 of her 24 points in the frame, Collier had seven of her own in the quarter as the Lynx outscored the Aces 25-15 in the frame for an 11-point lead entering Q4.

Collier led the Lynx with a game-high 27 points, a career-high 18 rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals, Alanna Smith had 15 points, seven boards, five assists and three steals, and Courtney Williams had 13 points, seven boards and four assists.

McBride scored 12 and Natisha Hiedeman added 12 off the bench.

The Lynx won't have long to recoup before their next game as they host Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at 7 p.m. Saturday when they'll also retire Maya Moore's jersey.