Hot, dry weather and wildfire smoke are elevating ground-level ozone across most of Minnesota today.

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Napheesa Collier scored 27 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 87-74 on Friday night.

Minnesota (21-8) has won five straight games and sits atop the Western Conference standings, two games ahead of the Seattle Storm. The Lynx extended their winning streak over the two-time defending WNBA champion Aces to three games.

Collier finished 11 of 15 shooting, including 2 of 4 from 3-point range, with five assists and two steals. Alanna Smith made 6 of 9 from the field and scored 15 for the Lynx, while Courtney Williams scored 13 and Natisha Hiedeman and Kayla McBride added 12 apiece. Williams left the game after she suffered a non-contact injury midway through the fourth quarter and did not return.

Collier made a layup and then a mid-range jumper to give Minnesota a one-point lead at halftime and the Lynx scored 22 of the first 28 second-half points to stretch their advantage to 62-45. It was at least a two-possession game the rest of the way.

Jackie Young made the second of two free throws to pull Las Vegas within four points with 6:14 to play but McBride answered with a 3-pointer and the Aces (17-11) got no closer.

A'ja Wilson led Las Vegas with 24 points and seven rebounds while Young and Tiffany Hayes scored 12 each and Kelsey Plum finished with 11 on 4 of 10 from the field.

Wilson scored 11 points on 5 of 8 shooting in the third but her teammates combined to make just one of nine attempts and committed five turnovers as the Aces were outscored 25-15 in the period.

Las Vegas has lost four of its last five games, including three of four since returning from a monthlong break for the Paris Olympics.

The Aces beat Minnesota 80-66 in Minneapolis on May 29 but the Lynx beat Las Vegas by double digits in each of their three meetings since, including a 98-87 road victory on Wednesday.

Napheesa Collier scored 27 points and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds to help the Minnesota Lynx beat the Las Vegas Aces 87-74 on Friday night. Minnesota has won five straight games and sits atop the Western Conference standings, two games ahead of the Seattle Storm. 

Napheesa Collier scores 27, grabs career-high 18 rebounds as Lynx beat Aces 87-74

Go Deeper.

Like this?