Napheesa Collier is joining the growing chorus of critics of WNBA leadership after how the Minnesota Lynx’s season ended.
The Lynx fell to the Phoenix Mercury 86-81 in Game 4 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday. Minnesota was bounced from the playoffs despite going 34-10 in the regular season, partly because of a sprained ankle Collier suffered during Game 3.
Collier was injured on a controversial play late in the game in which no foul was called despite her colliding with Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas. That was clearly on her mind on Tuesday, when she delivered an exit statement that took aim at WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert and league leadership.
According to Collier, the WNBA has “the worst leadership in the world.”
Napheesa Collier’s full statement today, where she challenged Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the WNBA with directness and stunning detail we rarely hear from active players. Worth listening to every word. pic.twitter.com/IRTvTc52EA
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 30, 2025
Collier was somewhat sticking up for coach Cheryl Reeve, who went scorched earth on both the league and the officiating after Game 3. Reeve’s comments got her suspended for Game 4, even though several other WNBA head coaches agreed with her remarks.
Engelbert is not exactly a popular figure among players or fans. The league’s officiating has come under the microscope this season, and many within the sport believe it has not been good enough.
The WNBA has accumulated plenty of money from levying fines against those who criticized the officiating this season. This state of play, however, is not one the league’s players and coaches are likely to tolerate going forward.
