DALLAS — Napheesa Collier texted Paige Bueckers on Friday morning. From one UConn champion to another, Collier wished the rookie well. “Good luck tonight!” Collier wrote. “Don’t do too much against us,

Napheesa Collier scored 34 points, spoiling the WNBA debut of fellow UConn alum Paige Bueckers and leading the Minnesota Lynx to a 99-84 victory over the Dallas Wings in the season opener for both teams.

The Lynx, the 2024 WNBA runner-ups, were down two starters (Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith) but seamlessly reintegrated Jess Shepard, who returned from a one-year hiatus from the league, and got great bench minutes from Diamond Miller, who had 13 points and three assists.