At the Lynx postgame news conference, coach Cheryl Reeve said her team’s game and series were “stolen” by poor and one-sided leadership. Collier sat nearby, red-eyed, without a fight, while Reeve said she was restrained repeatedly during the match. Collier shot zero free throws despite operating in traffic near the basket. The Lynx shot eight free throws; the Liberty shot 25.

Reeve vacillated between praising her players and criticizing the officials and teams in the WNBA who “circumvented” the salary cap or bent or ignored other rules.

“This was an exclamation point on the incredible season she had,” Reeve said. “Phee was phenomenal.”

Next to Collier, Lynx guard Kayla McBride said, “I’m always in awe of Phee because she carries it all with such grace. I am lucky to be standing next to her.”

Collier has been playing in the WNBA since 2019, but this season still felt more like a beginning than a culmination.

As she continued to develop into one of the best players in the world, she continued to beat her star players.