Huge game from Napheesa Collier inches Lynx closer to playoffs

Just three games remain on the schedule for the Minnesota Lynx after they beat the Atlanta Dream 91-85 in overtime Friday night in Minneapolis. 

Napheesa Collier was a force, finishing with 27 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. Kayla McBride scored 20 for Minnesota and rookie center Dorka Juhasz stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, 16 rebounds and six assists. 

The win gets Minnesota to 18-19 overall while Atlanta falls to 17-20. That's critical as the WNBA playoff race enters the final nine days of the regular season. The Lynx play Sunday at home against Phoenix and then finish on the road Friday against Chicago and Sunday, Sept. 10 at Indiana. 

Entering play Saturday, the Lynx are fifth in the WNBA playoff race. If the season ended now, Minnesota would go on the road for a best-of-three playoff series against Dallas in the 5-4 matchup. 

There's an outside shot Minnesota passes Dallas for fourth place, but it would require the Lynx winning out and Dallas losing all four of its games.