Minnesota Lynx Secure Historic Seventh WNBA Finals Appearance with Victory Over Connecticut Sun

The Minnesota Lynx triumphed in a thrilling winner-takes-all Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals against the Connecticut Sun, winning 88-77 and earning a spot in the WNBA Finals. This victory marks the Lynx’s record seventh appearance in the championship series, setting up a highly anticipated matchup against the New York Liberty.

The semifinal series had been characterized by closely contested games, but Tuesday night’s showdown was a departure from the trend, with the Lynx delivering a commanding performance at their home arena, the Target Center in Minneapolis. Right from the start, the Lynx established their dominance, scoring an impressive 31 points in the first quarter and building a 13-point lead.

Guard Kayla McBride was instrumental in this explosive start, contributing 10 points in the opening frame. The Lynx maintained their momentum into the second quarter, extending their lead to as much as 21 points—the largest margin of the series thus far. By halftime, Minnesota had a solid 53-34 lead, with guard Courtney Williams shining on the offensive end. Williams scored 15 points in the first half, showcasing her efficiency with a flawless shooting performance, going 6-of-6 from the field and 1-of-1 from the free-throw line.

While the Sun attempted a comeback, starting the second half with a 7-0 run, the Lynx quickly reasserted themselves. They extended their lead back to 24 points, effectively putting the game out of reach. From that point forward, Minnesota cruised to a comfortable victory.

Napheesa Collier was the standout performer for the Lynx, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 27 points. This impressive showing also marked a historic milestone for Collier, who became the first player in WNBA history to record at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in three consecutive playoff games. In addition to Collier’s performance, Williams contributed 24 points, while McBride added 19. For the Sun, DiJonai Carrington led the scoring with 17 points.

After the game, Collier expressed her excitement and pride in the team’s accomplishment. “I said from the beginning how special this group is and how we can do big things, and now we’re in the finals,” she told ESPN. “This is the best feeling ever!”

The victory sets the stage for a WNBA Finals showdown between the two best teams from the regular season. The New York Liberty finished the season with the league’s top record, but the Lynx had a successful run against them, winning three out of four matchups, including a victory that secured the inaugural WNBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Despite Minnesota’s success against New York in the regular season, Collier remained humble about their upcoming challenge. “I think the regular season doesn’t mean anything,” she noted. “They’re an amazing team, number one in the league, but we’re two, you know, we’re right behind them. I think it’s going to be a great series, great basketball. Two amazing teams, two teams filled with great players competing.”

With this victory, the Lynx have further solidified their legacy in the WNBA, leading all teams with four championships, the most recent of which came in 2017. Their seven finals appearances are also the highest in league history.

On the other hand, the Liberty are making their sixth appearance in the WNBA Finals but are still in search of their first championship title.

The highly anticipated best-of-five WNBA Finals will kick off on Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, promising a thrilling matchup between two powerhouse teams in women’s basketball. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Lynx and Liberty, both loaded with talent, will compete for the coveted championship. As the countdown to the finals begins, the excitement surrounding the series continues to build, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown.