ARLINGTON, Texas — In a season opener pitting former UConn stars with massive expectations against each other, Napheesa Collier scored 34 points to outshine the WNBA debut of Paige Bueckers in the Minnesota Lynx‘s 99-84 win over the Dallas Wings on Friday night.
Collier tied the Lynx record for most points in a season opener. Courtney Williams added 25 points and nine assists for Minnesota. Bueckers scored 10 points for Dallas.
An early MVP candidate, Collier said she’s more interested in getting the Lynx, who lost in the WNBA Finals to the New York Liberty last season, over the hump.
“I’m honestly focused on more than MVP,” she said. “I want us to win a championship this year, so that’s what I’m focused on. The awards come after that. … I want to see a championship.”
Bueckers said she and Collier had “good ol’ friendly UConn chat” at times on the court, adding that the two had a connection because of their background as Huskies as well as playing together with USA Basketball.
“It’s extremely fun to play against Phee. She’s just the ultimate competitor and she brings out the best in…
