The WNBA named Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier Western Conference Player of the Month for July. This is the second Player of the Month award for Collier this season (May), and the third of her career (August 2024). The honor marks the 18th monthly award in franchise history (Moore – 8, Fowles – 4, Augustus – 1, Brunson – 1, Whalen – 1).
Through 12 games in July, the forward averaged a league-leading 23.1 points on 55.1% shooting from the floor, 6.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.75 steals. After 26 games this season, Collier leads the WNBA in scoring (23.5 ppg) while also ranking fourth in blocks (1.6 bpg) and steals (1.8 spg), fifth in field goal percentage (53.7%) and ninth in rebounds (7.5 rpg). Collier is currently the only player in the league to rank in the top-five in four major statistical categories (points, blocks, steals, field goal percentage).
The Jefferson City, Mo. native recorded the second-most 25+ point performances in July in WNBA history with six, while also leading the league in 20+ point outings with eight, helping the Lynx to a league-best 9-3 record during the month. Collier is coming off a record-breaking performance at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game where she earned MVP honors after posting 36 points, the most ever in an All-Star Game, leading Team Collier to a 152-131 victory over Team Clark.
Highlights from Collier’s month include:
• July 3 vs. Washington: Posted a game-high 28 points on 11-of-21 (52.4%) shooting from the floor while recording five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal in Minnesota’s 92-75 win against the Mystics.
• July 14 vs. Chicago: Recorded 29 points while shooting 7-of-14 (50.0%) from the floor and a career-high 4-of-7 (57.1%) from deep, also adding five assists, three rebounds, three steals and a block, becoming the only player in WNBA history to record the stat line.
• July 27 vs. Atlanta: Totaled a game-high 32 points on 14-of-18 (77.8%) shooting from the floor and 2-of-3 (66.7%) from three-point range, also adding eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and two blocks.
• July 30 vs. New York: Posted her fifth 30+ point performance of the season while recording 30 points on 11-of-16 (68.8%) shooting from the floor and going 2-of-4 (50.0%) from three. Collier also tabbed nine rebounds, three blocks, two assists and a steal in the 100-93 win over the Liberty.
The WNBA announced Lynx Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve has been named Coach of the Month for July after leading Minnesota to a league-best 9-3 record. This marks Reeve’s third monthly honor, having previously received the league’s inaugural award after it was established in May 2017 and again in June 2024.
Minnesota’s nine wins during July ties for the second-most victories in a month in franchise history (June 2024, July 2014). Reeve captured her 350th career win in the team’s 79-66 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on July 16, joining Mike Thibault as the second coach in WNBA history to reach the milestone. Against the Los Angeles Sparks on July 10, the Lynx became the third franchise (joining Los Angeles and Connecticut) to surpass 500 wins in the 91-82 triumph.
Under Reeve, the Lynx boast two players (Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride) in the top-20 in scoring, two in the top-15 in rebounding (Collier, Jessica Shepard), and two in the top-five in blocks (Collier, Alanna Smith). Minnesota currently leads the WNBA in points (87.2 ppg), assists (24.0 apg), blocks (5.2 bpg), field goal percentage (47.0%) and three-point percentage (36.7%) under Reeve.
The Lynx will complete their current road trip in Seattle on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 9:00 p.m.
(info courtesy of Lynx)
