Marina Mabrey’s six 3s lift Sun to 73-70 win over Lynx in Game 1 of WNBA playoffs semifinal

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – In a thrilling matchup on Sunday night, the Connecticut Sun triumphed over the Minnesota Lynx 73-70 in Game 1 of their semifinal series. Marina Mabrey led the Sun with 20 points, while Alyssa Thomas contributed a near triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists. DiJonai Carrington added 13 points, and DeWanna Bonner recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

For the Lynx, Napheesa Collier, who had an explosive first round averaging 40 points per game, led the team with 19 points and nine rebounds. Bridget Carleton and Kayla McBride added 17 and 12 points, respectively.

Game 2 of the best-of-five series is set for Tuesday in Minneapolis. The Lynx, fresh off a commanding first-round sweep of the Phoenix Mercury where they averaged over 100 points per game, faced a different challenge against the Sun’s formidable defense. Minnesota struggled offensively, shooting just 41.5% from the field and 25% from beyond the arc.

The fourth quarter proved crucial, with Mabrey hitting her sixth three-pointer to tie the game at 62 with seven minutes remaining. Bonner followed with a corner three and a fast-break layup after a blocked shot by Collier, giving the Sun a slight lead.

After a long scoring drought, Collier managed a driving layup to bring the Lynx within one point at 71-70 with 33.9 seconds left. However, Thomas answered with a clutch jumper with just over 11 seconds on the clock. A frantic final possession for Minnesota ended with Collier’s three-point attempt falling short.

Throughout the season, the Sun had the upper hand in their matchups, winning two of three games against the Lynx, including one in overtime and another by five points. Minnesota had edged the Sun by two points in their last encounter, thanks to a late three-pointer from Carleton.

The game featured several lead changes, with the Lynx overcoming a four-point deficit in the third quarter, thanks to McBride’s back-to-back baskets. They entered the fourth quarter leading 62-57 after Myisha Hines-Allen’s late quarter drive and Williams’ three-pointer.

Connecticut surged early with a 9-0 run, sparked by Carrington’s layup and a corner three. The Lynx fought back in the second quarter, mounting a 15-0 run to take a 35-29 lead before Mabrey’s late three helped the Sun reclaim the momentum and lead 42-38 at halftime.

Both teams showcased their talent and resilience, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the series.