Everything clicked for Napheesa Collier and Minnesota Lynx.
Collier recorded a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double and the Lynx shot 57% from the field en route to a 90-81 Game 3 victory against the Connecticut Sun in Game 3.
Minnesota now takes a 2-1 series lead in their WNBA semifinal series.
The second in the MVP voting behind eventual winner A’ja Wilson, Collier set the tone early and the rest of the Lynx followed suit. They are now one win away from the championship round.The Lynx take charge in the series, defeating the Sun 90-81 with a stellar 51% shooting from the floor 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2024
Napheesa Collier was unstoppable in Game 3, dropping 26 PTS (11-19 FGM), along with 11 REB and 3 AST!#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/DvctzcwTbM
Make that 26 PTS and counting for Phee 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2024
MIN leads late in the 4th.
📺 Lynx-Sun on ESPN2 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/J5hCRKva2G
Minnesota had 22 assists on 35 made field goals and led by as many as 14 points with three other players scoring in double-digits besides Collier.
Courtney Williams added 16 markers and eighth dimes while Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton combined for 25 points.
Save for a 4-2 scoreline, the Lynx took command for most of the first half and held a 48-36 lead with Collier tallying 16 points and six rebounds already.
The poise.
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2024
The setup.
The finish.
Napheesa Collier is One of them Ones 👑
📺 Lynx-Sun on ESPN2 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google https://t.co/47PBPxZORi pic.twitter.com/0RTOlvcgCH
DeWanna Bonner hit two free-throws with 3:03 seconds left to nudge the Sun to within single-digit deficit against the Lynx, 73-81.
But a Collier short stab followed by an Alana Smith triple from the top of the arc hiked Minnesota’s advantage, 86-73, as 2:11 ticks remained.
THE LYNX TAKE GAME 3 IN CONNECTICUT TO GRAB A 2-1 LEAD OVER THE SUN 🔥
— ESPN (@espn) October 5, 2024
One win away from a trip to the WNBA Finals 👀 pic.twitter.com/PzUAyjUMzD
Meanwhile, all Connecticut starters scored in double-digits, with Brionna Jones leading the way with 21 points.
Brionna Jones tonight 🔥
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) October 5, 2024
• 21 points
• 5 assists
• 61% FG pic.twitter.com/cBqB3usBHO
Bonner, who moved past Candace Parker to take sole second on the WNBA career playoff scoring, added 16 markers and eight rebounds.
She overtook Parker from the free-throw line with 1:35 seconds left in the third frame. Bonner now amassed 1,159 career points, trailing only to Diana Taurasi’s 1,455.
The free throw that sealed the deal at ?? for DB!#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google pic.twitter.com/WTdmK1ybzs
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2024
Marina Mabrey struggled but had 14 markers as DiJonai Carrington and Alyssa Thomas had 13 each.
Despite their first five rolling, the Sun reserves got a little help from their reserves and lost the bench battle, 16-4.
