There is no repeat of last year’s nightmare for Napheesa Collier and the Minnesota Lynx.
This time, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year returned the favor and ended the Connecticut Sun’s season.
Collier put up a monster game of 27 points and 11 rebounds, sending the Lynx to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017 with a 88-77 Game 5 victory over the Sun.
ADVANCING TO THE FINALS 🐈
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024
The Minnesota Lynx take the series 3-2, defeating the Connecticut Sun in a decisive Game 5 to punch their ticket to the 2024 #WNBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/LFiiKaxY7D
It was the four-time All-Star’s third-straight 25 point, 10-rebound game of the series, as Minnesota advanced to its seventh Finals appearance in franchise history.
COUNT IT FOR PHEE 👑
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024
Napheesa Collier is now up to 24 PTS & 11 REB in Semi-Finals Game 5#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/ZntMau0EL4
Courtney Williams chipped in 24 markers, five boards, and seven dimes while Kayla McBride added 14 markers for the Lynx, who led by as many as 24 points and improved to a 3-1 all-time in Game 5s in franchise history.
The Lynx square off against the league-leading New York Liberty for the championship with Game 1 taking place on Friday, October 11 (PH time).
Minnesota raced to a fast start, building a 53-34 halftime lead behind the brilliance of Collier, Williams, and McBride as they combined for 42 points.
They also shot 55% from the field in the first 20 minutes of play and hit six triples for a dominating start.
Sharing is caring 🤝
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024
Natisha Hiedeman goes to work and finds Napheesa Collier in the paint to extend the Lynx lead to 15#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/50Z2vh9XxV
Make that 12 PTS and counting for Kayla McBride ?#WNBAPlayoffs presented by @google pic.twitter.com/IA3F2QcHFH
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024
MIDDY. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/JBsnfFXhGs
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 9, 2024
It was all Minnesota needed, forcing Connecticut to play catch-up the rest of the game and sent the Sun into their third-straight semifinal exit.
DiJonai Carrington paced the Sun with a 17-point, 12 rebound double-double. Brionna Jones also contributed 16 markers and 10 boards of her own.
Since 2017, the Sun lost six semifinal series and two heartbreaking Finals including the 2022 edition against the eventual winners Las Vegas Aces.
