The Minnesota Lynx secured a spot in the WNBA Finals by defeating the Connecticut Sun in Game 5 of the semifinals on Tuesday. Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Courtney Williams added 24 points.
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Minnesota Lynx Advance to WNBA Finals After Eliminating Connecticut Sun
The Minnesota Lynx are heading to the WNBA Finals after defeating the Connecticut Sun in Game 5 of the semifinals on Tuesday. The Lynx topped the Sun 88-77, advancing to the championship series for the first time since 2017.
Napheesa Collier, the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, led the way for the Lynx with 27 points and 11 rebounds. She also had four blocks. Courtney Williams added 24 points, while Kayla McBride contributed 19.
Minnesota Lynx Advance to WNBA Finals After Eliminating Connecticut Sun
The Lynx jumped out to a 21-point lead in the second quarter and never really looked back. The Sun managed to cut the lead to six points in the third quarter, but the Lynx held on to win by 11.
"They just kind of punched us in the face, and we got shellshocked and then we couldn’t fight back," said Sun star DeWanna Bonner.
Minnesota Lynx Advance to WNBA Finals After Eliminating Connecticut Sun
The Lynx will now take on the New York Liberty in the WNBA Finals. The Liberty have never won a WNBA championship but have built a super team with Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones.
The Liberty knocked off the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces to get to the finals. The series is scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 16.
Napheesa Collier was once again unstoppable for the Lynx. The 6-foot-1 forward is averaging 23.6 points and 10.4 rebounds in the playoffs. She has also been a force on the defensive end, averaging 2.8 blocks per game.
"She’s improved every season," said Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve. "She’s just been incredible. Every game, it’s more than scoring how she helps our team. When she plays like the MVP, we're tough to beat."
Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride have also been key contributors for the Lynx in the playoffs. Williams is averaging 16.8 points per game, while McBride is averaging 15.0 points per game.
"When you start a game like that, you kind of know the hoop's feeling big, you’ve got the super green light," said Williams, who made her first six shots against the Sun. "I think that's the confidence that Cheryl gives us."
The Lynx are now one step away from winning their fifth WNBA championship. They will face a tough challenge in the Liberty, but they will be confident after their performance against the Sun.
"We're excited to be in the Finals," said Reeve. "We've been working hard all season for this. We're ready to give it our all."
