Image Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

2025 WNBA Semi-Finals: Minnesota Lynx Finish Game 3 Without Napheesa Collier and Head Coach Cheryl Reeve on Court

Things took a dramatic turn in final 20 seconds of Mercury-Lynx Game 3!

Image Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury capitalized their home-court advantage and handed an 84-76 defeat to the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx in a thrilling Game 3, which took a dramatic turn towards the end. The Lynx, who entered the 2025 WNBA semifinals series and the game as heavy favorites, are now on the edge of elimination trailing the series 1-2. The Game 4, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, is their only chance to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Talking about Game 3, the Minnesota Lynx were without their star player Napheesa Collier and head coach Cheryl Reeve at the end. While Collier twisted her ankle in the final seconds of the encounter, Reeve was ejected following her outrage on game officials. Notably, the leading Lynx scorer went down with an apparent ankle injury after Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas made an incidental contact with her knee. The 29-year-old left the court limping and didn’t return for the rest of the game.

Minnesota finished Game 3 without Napheesa Collier or Coach Cheryl Reeve.

Coach was assessed a second technical foul and ejected after Collier collided with Alyssa Thomas on this play. pic.twitter.com/6ZNGuUSXi9
— espnW (@espnW) September 27, 2025

However, to everyone’s surprise, no foul was called on Thomas, and this entire situation left Reeve furious. She stormed the court, which led to her second technical, followed by ejection. As a result, the Lynx were left without their top scorer and head coach as they slumped to an embarrassing defeat against the lower-seeded rivals.

What Lies Ahead for the Minnesota Lynx After Dramatic End to Game 3?

During the post-game presser, head coach Reeve didn’t take any questions. Rather she lashed out on the referees for their unfair officiating. Not only this, but she also shared a worrisome update on Collier’s injury, suggesting that she could probably have a fracture. While there is no official confirmation, the injury definitely puts her availability status for Game 4 in question.

“I want to call for a change of leadership at the league level when it comes to officiating.”

Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve responded to the officiating in Game 3 of the Lynx-Mercury WNBA Semifinal. pic.twitter.com/xuyfxmyqLa
— ESPN (@espn) September 27, 2025

Collier has averaged 22.9 ppg during the regular season, and 20.6 ppg during the postseason. During Game 3, she dropped 17 points, and had six rebounds, three assists. Collier was shooting 53.3% from the field, and 33.3% from the three-point range. For the upcoming game, the Lynx would have to stay prepared for the worst. It could also mean that they will be forced to take on the court without one of the best players in the league on Sunday.

As for Reeve, she is one of the strongest names in the league. She is counted as one of the most successful coaches in the history of the league. Her strong remarks against the officials might cost her more than two technicals and one ejection. However, she isn’t the only one who called for changes in the league. Earlier, Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon and Indiana Fever’s Stephanie White have brought up problems in officiating during the semifinals.

The changes Reeve demanded won’t happen overnight. As of now, the only option they are left with is to gear up for Game 4, which is scheduled for less than 48 hours.

2025 WNBA Playoffs

Cheryl Reeve

Minnesota Lynx

Napheesa Collier

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.