Sun 92-82 Lynx (Oct 6, 2024) Game Recap

UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Alyssa Thomas had 18 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to help the Connecticut Sun stave off elimination and beat the Minnesota Lynx 92-82 on Sunday, clinching a decisive Game 5 in their semifinal series force.

That game takes place on Tuesday night in Minnesota. The winner will face the Liberty in the WNBA finals, which begin Thursday in New York. The Lynx and Liberty have already met in a championship this season, with Minnesota defeating New York for the Commissioner’s Cup title.

Ty Harris scored 20 points to lead the Suns as they attempt to return to the Finals for the third time in six seasons. The Sun are still searching for the franchise’s first WNBA championship.

Napheesa Collier did what she could to give Minnesota the win, finishing the game with 29 points and 13 rebounds.

Minnesota is trying to get back to the Finals for the first time since the 2017 season. This year the Lynx won their fourth championship in seven years.

Harris, who injured her ankle in the first game of the first-round series against Indiana, finally seemed comfortable on the court again. She only played about seven minutes in Games 2 and 3, but managed 30 on Sunday and made the difference.

The Sun rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit behind Thomas and Harris. The game was tied at 61 before the Suns scored seven of the final nine points of the third quarter to take a 68-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Harris’ 3-pointer with 5:48 left tied the 10-point game and ended any hopes the Lynx had of closing out the series on Sunday. Minnesota could only get within eight the rest of the way.

Collier helped the Lynx build a seven-point lead after one quarter, and Minnesota was ahead 47-41 when DiJonai Carrington stole the ball from Natisha Hiedeman and brought it in for a layup. Hiedeman responded by hitting a 3-pointer from mid-court right before the buzzer, giving the Lynx a 50-43 lead at halftime. Collier finished the first half with 14 points and Hiedeman had 12 against her former team.

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AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball