3 things Minnesota Lynx must do to stay alive against Phoenix Mercury without Napheesa Collier

The Minnesota Lynx are on the brink of elimination after falling 84-76 to the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 on Friday, a defeat made worse by a late-game injury to MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier.

Collier banged knees with Alyssa Thomas in the final 21 seconds and badly twisted her ankle, leaving the floor in tears while being helped off by staff.

After the game, AZ Central Sports' Dana Scott reported that Collier was seen using a wheeled scooter to the training room, a concerning development for the Lynx as they trail 2-1 with Game 4 still in Phoenix.

With Collier’s status -- and at least her full strength -- now uncertain for the remainder of the playoffs, here are adjustments the Lynx must consider.

3 things Minnesota Lynx must do to stay alive against Phoenix Mercury without Napheesa Collier

#1. Generate offense beyond Collier

The Lynx not only posted the WNBA’s best record this season but also led the league in offensive rating (109.5), compared to the Mercury’s seventh-ranked mark of 103.6.

Losing Collier’s 22.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game would be a massive blow. The next top scorers from the regular season are Kayla McBride (14.2 ppg) and Courtney Williams (13.6 ppg), while five others averaged more than 5.0 points per game and will need to step up.

#2. Alanna Smith must assert herself

In Game 3, co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith played fewer than 12 minutes and missed all four of her field goal attempts.

Her presence has been minimal this series, as Phoenix outscored Minnesota in the paint 54-40 in Game 1 and 42-28 in Game 3. The one exception came in Game 2, when Smith logged nearly 30 minutes, recording 13 points and nine rebounds, and the Lynx edged the paint battle 38-36.

For Minnesota to survive, Smith must be an interior force and disrupt Phoenix’s easy looks inside.

#3. Improve late-game execution

The Lynx have faltered in crunch time for two straight games. They blew a 16-point second-half lead in Game 2, ultimately losing 89-83 in overtime.

In Game 3, after Maria Kliundikova’s layup gave Minnesota a 76-75 edge, Phoenix stormed back: Satou Sabally drilled a three and sank four free throws, Thomas stole the ball from Collier and scored, and the Mercury closed with a 9-0 run to secure the win.

Minnesota did play 11 regular-season games without Collier and managed a 7-4 record, proving they have the depth to compete. Still, with the Mercury surging, overcoming her absence in Game 4 will be an uphill battle.