Napheesa Collier had cold quote after hitting game-winner in WNBA Finals Game 1

Collier was interviewed by ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the final buzzer and got asked about the challenge of gutting out an overtime win after playing an extended series in the previous round.

“You can’t think about it. This is the Finals. No one cares if you’re tired,” said Collier.

The Liberty had the rest advantage heading into Game 1 as they handled business in their best-of-five conference finals series in four games. The Lynx, meanwhile, needed all five games to win their own conference finals series, taking all the way until Tuesday to punch their ticket.

But for Collier, the WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year this season as well as a starter on the United States Olympic team that won gold in Paris this past summer, that did not matter. Her brand of no-nonsense is reminiscent of that of another local Minnesota basketball star.