Los Angeles Sparks On SI

Napheesa Collier Plays Game of Rock, Paper, Scissors With Fan Ahead of Sparks Matchup

Minnesota's star forward made time for a myriad of road fans in Los Angeles on Thursday.
Ben Geffner|
Jun 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles the ball past Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Jun 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles the ball past Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41) in the second half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Napheesa Collier, named a 2025 WNBA All-Star Game captain alongside Caitlin Clark on June 29, is currently averaging a league-best 23.9 points for the Minnesota Lynx this season.

Read more: Sparks' Owner Mark Walter Acquires Majority Ownership of Lakers From Buss Family

The star forward has logged at least 20 points and six rebounds in three of Minnesota's last four contests entering Thursday — helping the Lynx to the top record in the WNBA.

A Thursday afternoon matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks marked the Lynx's second of four consecutive road games.

Read more: Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reveals Wild Behind-the-Scenes Story of Viral Moment 

Still, despite being nearly 2,000 miles away from Minnesota, a multitude of road fans poured into the stands prior to Thursday's contest.

After warming up, Collier made time to sign autographs and even played a game of rock, paper, scissors.

Read more: Sparks' Cameron Brink Shares Unique Approach to Injury Recovery 

In ESPN's latest WNBA award tracker, published earlier in June, Collier received all four of the panelists' MVP votes.

"Last season, Collier finished second in MVP voting behind A'ja Wilson. Even though Wilson was a unanimous choice, Collier was second on all but one ballot," ESPN writer Michael Voepel wrote. "That momentum has carried over into 2025 as she has become the favorite."

More Sparks news:

A'ja Wilson Speaks Out on Losing Kelsey Plum to Sparks

Sparks' Kelsey Plum Reacts to Georgia Amoore's ACL Injury

International Legend Reveals Reason For Rejoining LA

Sparks Waive Two Players Ahead of 2025 Season

Sparks’ Cameron Brink Revisits Feeling After Tearing ACL

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit Los Angeles Sparks on SI.

Published | Modified
Ben Geffner
BEN GEFFNER

Ben Geffner is an award-winning sports journalist and current student at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism. A greater Los Angeles native now with countless years of extensive and dedicated experience — including beat reporting, writing, play-by-play broadcast, television anchoring, podcasting and video production — Ben remains eager to contribute as credentialed media covering the LA Sparks.

Share on XFollow BenGeffner
Home/News