$120.22 billion brand mocks Connecticut Sun with a pun after Napheesa Collier's Lynx dump them out of WNBA playoffs (PO)

Global sports brand Nike took a jab at the Connecticut Sun after they lost to Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx in the do-or-die Game 5 of their WNBA semifinals series on Tuesday in Minneapolis. The Lynx secured an 88-77 to punch a ticket to the WNBA Finals.

Nike, which boasts of a reported market capitalization of $120.22 billion, took to X (formerly Twitter), to share an analogy that poked fun at the Sun while celebrating Collier, with whom it has sneaker collaborations, and her team’s performance in closing out the series.

Nike wrote:

“Phee and the Lynx making the Sun go down quicker than the end of daylight savings time.”

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The Lynx got off to a strong start in Game 5 against the Sun, building a huge 19-point lead, 53-34, in the opening half. Courtney Williams, Kayla McBride and Napheesa Collier showed the way for Minnesota’s ferocious run, putting up 15, 14 and 13 points, respectively.

From there, they held tough the rest of the way, fending off Connecticut’s attempts to fight back. Collier steered the Lynx to victory as she finished with a game-high 27 points, along with 11 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and a steal in 37 minutes. Williams had 24 points and seven assists while McBride had 19 points.

The Sun, meanwhile, were led by DiJonai Carrington’s 17 points, with Brionna Jones and DeWanna Bonner adding 16 and 14 points of their own.

Minnesota is back in the WNBA Finals for the first time since winning its fourth title in franchise history in 2017.

Waiting for the Lynx in the best-of-five championship series are the New York Liberty, who are out to get their first-ever WNBA title.

The Finals begin on Oct. 10 in Brooklyn.

Minnesota Lynx coach praises Napheesa Collier after leading team to Finals return

Napheesa Collier was at the forefront of the attack of the Minnesota Lynx as they closed out the Connecticut Sun in Game 5 of their semifinal series and booked a spot in the WNBA Finals.

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve showered praise on the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year following their Game 5 win, highlighting how Collier has a versatile asset all season.

The coach said (via ESPN):

“She’s improved every season. She’s just been incredible. Every game, it’s more than scoring how she helps our team. When she plays like the MVP, we’re tough to beat.”

Against the Sun on Tuesday, Napheesa Collier finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks, continuing an impressive postseason run where she has averaged 27.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.7 blocks in 37.5 minutes.

In the Finals, Collier and the Lynx will face the New York Liberty, a team they defeated twice in the regular season.