The Minnesota Lynx are headed to the WNBA Finals after a resounding 88-77 victory over the Connecticut Sun in Game 5 of their semifinal series. Minnesota secured their first Finals appearance since 2017, setting up a highly anticipated showdown with the top-seeded New York Liberty.
Collier Leads the Charge
At the forefront of Minnesota’s win was none other than Napheesa Collier, the WNBA MVP runner-up and Defensive Player of the Year. Collier delivered yet another dominant performance, notching 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks. In doing so, she became the first player to post 25+ points and 10+ rebounds in three consecutive playoff games, a feat that highlights her consistency and game-changing presence.
Collier’s dominance was apparent from the opening tip, and by halftime, the Lynx had already built a commanding 53-34 lead. She had plenty of support from Courtney Williams, who shot a perfect 6-of-6 from the field in the first half, and Kayla McBride, who also chipped in with double-digit scoring. Together, they kept Connecticut at bay, ensuring Minnesota remained in control for most of the game.
A Brief Connecticut Rally, but Lynx Maintain Control
Though the Sun opened the second half with a 7-0 run, they quickly faltered, going cold for a crucial five-minute stretch in the third quarter. During that span, Connecticut missed six consecutive shots and committed five turnovers, allowing the Lynx to extend their lead once again.
Despite a shaky third quarter, where Minnesota failed to score during the opening and closing minutes of the frame, the game never felt in doubt. Even when Connecticut trimmed the lead to 12 points in the final minutes, the Lynx held firm to punch their ticket to the Finals.
A Finals Showdown with the New York Liberty
The Lynx now face their toughest challenge yet: the New York Liberty, the league’s best team in the regular season. The Liberty boast a 32-8 record and are stacked with superstars like Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones. The Liberty have also established themselves as the WNBA’s top offensive team, while the Lynx pride themselves on being an elite defensive squad, ranked second in the league in defensive rating.
This Finals will be a clash of the WNBA’s best East and West teams, with the Liberty’s firepower going up against the Lynx’s gritty, suffocating defense. Minnesota may be entering as the underdog, but their resilience throughout the playoffs, particularly in outlasting the Sun in a five-game series, shows they can never be counted out.
Can the Lynx Upset the Superteam?
While the 2024 Lynx don’t have the same star power as their title-winning 2017 squad—which featured legends like Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, and Lindsay Whalen—they have developed a cohesive identity led by Collier, Williams, and McBride. They’ve proved their ability to rise to the occasion and will look to demonstrate that the WNBA isn’t in a superteam era just yet.
The Liberty are the clear favorites after defeating the two-time defending champions, the Las Vegas Aces, in four games, but Minnesota’s defense-first approach and ability to slow the game down could pose problems for New York’s fast-paced offense. With Game 1 set for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, the stage is set for an intriguing matchup.
The Sun’s Uncertain Future
For the Connecticut Sun, the loss marks the possible end of an era. The Sun have been one of the WNBA’s most consistent teams in recent years but face a difficult offseason. Four of their five starters—Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, DiJonai Carrington, and Brionna Jones—are now free agents. Re-signing all of them will be a challenge, and with Thomas and Bonner both on the other side of 30, the team may need to make tough decisions about the future of their core.
Though the Sun weathered the loss of Jonquel Jones to the Liberty in 2022, this offseason could prove to be even more critical. Whether they opt for a rebuild or attempt to keep their current roster intact, major changes could be on the horizon in Connecticut.
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