The Minnesota Lynx took on the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the WNBA playoffs last season, and the Sun won the series 2-1. A year later, these two teams met again in the semifinals and the results were not the same. The Lynx won the series 3-2 and eliminated the Sun.
The Lynx not only avenged last season’s first round loss, but they advanced to the WNBA finals for the first time since 2017.
Game Recap
Connecticut got off to a 7-2 run to begin the game, with five of those points coming from Ty Harris. But that would be the only time they had the lead as Minnesota answered with a 12-2 run. The Sun went through a four-minute scoring drought, and it did not end until the 4:25 mark in the first quarter.
The Lynx increased their run to 23-7 as they were raining threes. The Sun shot 50% from the field and from three, but the Lynx were more efficient due to getting more shot attempts. They also had seven assists and no turnovers, while the Sun had three assists as well as three turnovers.
The Sun scored four quick points to cut the lead to single digits at the beginning of the second quarter, but the Lynx answered with a 13-2 run to increase their lead to 20. During the Lynx run, Marina Mabrey tweaked her ankle and had to check out of the game.
She eventually came back into the game and hit a three to cut into Minnesota’s lead. But it was clear that she was not 100% as she was limping while getting back on defense. She was limited to just 13 minutes due to the injury, and finished with eight points on 60 FG%.
Nothing came easy for the Sun as they struggled to get anything going offensively. Minnesota made it tough for them to score, but the Sun were also sloppy with the ball. They committed six turnovers in the second quarter, which turned into seven points for the Lynx. They also had another scoring drought that lasted almost seven minutes.
Minnesota led by as many as 20 before the Sun hit back to back threes to cut the lead to 14. Minnesota was also sloppy with the ball, turning it over four times. But the Sun were not able to capitalize as they were held to just four made field goals.
The third quarter showcased Connecticut being more physical and getting to the free throw. DiJonai Carrington in particular was aggressive on both ends of the floor. She scored the first five points for the Sun as they cut into Minnesota’s lead. She had eight free throw attempts, which is more than what the entire team had in the first half.
Dewanna Bonner was the next Sun player outside of Carrington to score in the third quarter, hitting two free throws to make it a 12-point game. It was a 7-0 run for the Sun before Minnesota finally scored at the 5:36 mark.
Despite the Sun cutting into the lead, they were struggling from the field as they missed eleven consecutive shots. The Lynx went on to go on a 12-0 run to quickly push the lead to 24. Connecticut once again went through a scoring drought, which lasted over six minutes.
The Sun only made three field goals, but they were getting to the free throw line. They went 8/10 at the line. But the sloppiness continued as they turned the ball over seven more times and there was a lack of urgency on the defensive end while Minnesota went on their run.
They ended the third quarter on a 7-0 run, making it a 17-point game heading into the fourth quarter. The Lynx seemingly had control in the fourth quarter, but the Sun did not go away that easily.
Bonner hit back to back threes to cut the lead to 13, which made things interesting. But their inability to get consecutive stops plus not enough time allowed the Lynx to run away with the win 88-77.
DiJonai Carrington finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. Brionna Jones finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Dewanna Bonner finished with 14 points and eight reboundS. Ty Harris finished with 12 points. Alyssa Thomas was held to just seven points and three rebounds, but led the team with six assists.
Napheesa Collier finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. She is the first player in WNBA playoff history with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in three straight games.
Courtney Williams finished with 24 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kayla McBride finished with 19 points and four assists.
What’s Next
This is the seventh WNBA finals appearance in Lynx franchise history. This is the first appearance post-Maya Moore era. They will face the New York Liberty, led by Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
The finals will start on Thursday, October 10, in New York. The game will air on ESPN and commence at 8:00 pm EST.