Napheesa Collier, the Minnesota Lynx star and Defensive Player of the Year, is already turning the page on the 2024 WNBA Finals loss—and honestly, who wouldn’t, when Usher is performing just down the road? Saturday night, Collier did what any sensible person would do after a long, grueling season—head straight to an epic concert. And she didn’t roll solo. Oh no, she brought her Lynx teammate Bridget Carleton and fellow baller Rachel Banham along for the ride.
With Usher’s velvet vocals in the background, it was clear: these WNBA stars were living their best lives. Gone were the intense playoff battles—replaced by lights, music, and Usher reminding everyone why he’s still the king of R&B. Collier made sure to document every moment, giving her Instagram followers an inside look at just how close she was to the stage. Her first Insta story came with the simple yet iconic caption: “It’s usher baby,” as if we needed reminding.
This concert marked the first of two shows Usher was playing at the Target Center, a nice little break for Collier before the launch of her new Unrivaled League in January. The timing couldn’t be better for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who’s got plenty to celebrate despite falling short of that elusive championship ring.
And if you thought that was all, think again. Collier posted a video of herself, Carleton, and Banham belting out some of Usher’s greatest hits. No word yet on whether they nailed every high note (or if they even attempted), but it was clear they were having an absolute blast. At this point, Usher should’ve probably invited them on stage for a backup vocal session.
And then there’s the highlight of the night: Collier reposting Banham’s Insta story. Yep, the repost—one of the strongest signs of friendship in the social media world. The squad was fully in sync, giving us all a sneak peek at what life is like when you’re not only a WNBA star but also in the presence of R&B greatness.
But Collier and her crew aren’t the only ones jumping on the concert bandwagon. WNBA players seem to be living it up during the offseason—Angel Reese hit up an Usher concert during the 2024 season, and Caitlin Clark was just spotted at a Taylor Swift show in Indianapolis. Clearly, these ballers have their priorities straight: family, hoops, and iconic concerts.
So, as Collier wraps up one chapter of her career and looks forward to the next big thing—the debut of Unrivaled—she’s taking some much-needed time off. And why not? After a season that saw her finish second in MVP voting and leading the Lynx to the Finals, you could say she’s earned it. Sure, the championship slipped through her fingers, but with her future looking brighter than a spotlight at an Usher show, Collier’s got plenty to smile about.
Let’s not forget, her side hustle as a league founder is about to shake up the basketball world. Alongside Breanna Stewart, Collier is gearing up for the Unrivaled League, which promises to give WNBA players a chance to stay stateside during the offseason instead of packing their bags for some far-flung overseas league. And they’re not the only ones hyped about it. Phoenix Mercury star Kahleah Copper had nothing but praise for the duo’s new venture, applauding their player-first mentality and the opportunity to spend more time at home.
“I mean, just Stewie and Phee, you know?” Copper said, likely while simultaneously packing her bags to not go overseas this winter. “You understand players’ perspective, you understand what we deserve, and they pushed for nothing but the best.”
In other words, the Unrivaled League is the gift WNBA players didn’t know they needed but now can’t wait for. As Collier and her crew rock out to Usher and gear up for what’s next, one thing is clear: the offseason just got a whole lot more interesting.
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