Lynx return to finals with 88-77 win over Sun in Game 5 behind Collier’s 27 points, 11 rebounds

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The Minnesota Lynx are just three victories away from securing their fifth championship, with a fresh roster distinct from their previous dynasty. At the helm of this new era is Napheesa Collier.

In a commanding performance, Collier scored 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Courtney Williams added 24 points and dynamic energy on both ends of the court, leading the Lynx to an 88-77 victory over the Connecticut Sun. This win marks Minnesota’s return to the WNBA Finals for the first time in seven years.

Collier, the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, also contributed four blocks, showcasing her all-around talent. As the final buzzer sounded and the crowd erupted, Collier made her way to hug Lindsay Whalen, a Hall of Famer and former Lynx star who played on the team’s first four championship-winning squads.

Kayla McBride scored 10 of her 19 points in the first quarter, helping the Lynx secure their spot in the finals against the top-seeded New York Liberty, with Game 1 scheduled for Thursday night. The best-of-five series will continue with Game 2 in New York on Sunday, followed by Game 3 in Minnesota on October 16.

Having finished second in the regular season, just two games behind the Liberty, the Lynx have triumphed in three of their four encounters with New York this year, including winning the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup on June 25.

For the Sun, DiJonai Carrington scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Brionna Jones added 16 points and 10 rebounds. However, Connecticut struggled offensively, shooting just 38.5% from the floor and committing 19 turnovers, which the Lynx turned into 22 points.

This marks the Sun’s fourth semifinal exit in six years. They reached the finals in 2019 and 2022, seasons in which Williams was part of the team but couldn’t secure the franchise’s first title. Now in her first year with Minnesota, Williams was determined to make an impact from the outset. The fiery ninth-year point guard excelled on both ends of the court, scoring her highest points in a playoff game since 2019 while contributing seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals, going a perfect 6-for-6 in the first half.

The Lynx built a commanding lead of 21 points in the second quarter, their largest of the series. Although they had a sluggish start to the second half, Connecticut’s poor shooting helped maintain Minnesota’s advantage. A 3-pointer by Alanna Smith ended a 4:22 scoring drought, and shortly after, Williams intercepted a pass and raced downcourt for a layup, pushing the lead to 58-41, capped by Collier’s 3-pointer in a 12-0 run.

The Lynx have struggled in winner-take-all playoff games since their last championship in 2017, but the atmosphere at Target Center was electric, featuring a lively crowd that included Whalen, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, and state lawmakers Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Tina Smith.

Collier, who had averaged an impressive 40 points in the previous round against the Phoenix Mercury, remained composed and determined, embodying the spirit of a star eager to claim her first championship. Meanwhile, Alyssa Thomas had a quieter game for the Sun, scoring only seven points as they trailed by double digits for most of the match. Marina Mabrey, who came off the bench, was limited to just 14 minutes after injuring her ankle in the first half.