Fans were left furious at a pivotal call in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx . Late in the fourth quarter.
As Lynx star and Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier was defending Liberty star Breanna Stewart, a foul was called on Collier as the game hung in the balance. Stewart was then sent to the line with a chance to win the game. However, the star forward missed one of two free throws, giving the Lynx a chance to win the game.
Fans quickly made their thoughts known on social media regarding Collier's foul, with many believing it was not the correct call. "Come on Refs. Yall can't call that crap not during this moment," a fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another fan wrote: "Fire all three of these refs bro." Meanwhile, another fan thought that the referees had won the game in favor of New York, posting: "These refs have blown it."
Despite how the referees called that particular instance between Collier and Stewart, the game went into overtime. In the extra period, neither side could get the advantage over the other, with Jonquel Jones and Sabrina Ionescu doing what they could to keep the game close.
However, when the Lynx needed the go-ahead basket, it was Collier who was there to give Minnesota the boost it needed to pull out the improbable win. With under 12 seconds left in the game and seven seconds on the shot clock, Collier received the ball in the middle of the part, Jones draped all over her.
Even with the lengthy Jones heavily contesting the shot, Collier's attempt was true, giving the Lynx a 95-93 lead with just over eight seconds remaining on the clock. Stewart had chances to tie the game, but her attempts were short as Minnesota stole Game 1 in New York.
Of note, Minnesota's 18-point deficit in the game was tied for the largest in WNBA Finals history. Additionally, the Lynx's first lead of the game came with 5.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter after guard Courtney Williams nailed a 3-pointer , being fouled on the play by Ionescu. Williams nailed the free throw as well.
For Collier, her two-way dominance was on full display against the Liberty. Along with 21 points on 62 percent shooting from the field, the Defensive Player of the Year also had eight rebounds, six blocks, and three steals, with her six blocks tied for the third most in WNBA Finals history.
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At one point, Collier was able to block Jones' shot attempt, despite her hands being in a less-than-optimal spot. As Jones had Colliers' arms hooked in an attempt to get a foul called, the latter just reached out and was still able to push the shot attempt out of bounds.
Also, the Lynx had just defeated the Connecticut Sun in a close five-game series just two days prior. And despite having to play against a motivated New York team, Minnesota answered the call when it needed to, as the franchise looks to win its fifth WNBA title.
After the game, Collier spoke of the Lynx's grit and fight, especially as they became the first team in WNBA postseason history to win a game after trailing by 15 or more points in the final five minutes of regulation. "It was a battle," the 28-year-old said . "Went to overtime. So proud of this team, the way we came back, played defense, found some stops, pushed through. It was fun."
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