The Lynx shot 57% from the floor, scoring 90 points, including 48 in the paint. Napheesa Collier led the team with 26 points.
The WNBA Playoff continued on Friday with the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Connecticut Suns in Game 3 of their Semifinal series. The two teams split the first two games of the series at Target Center as the series shifts to Connecticut. The team that can win two of the next three games will clinch their spot in the WNBA Finals.
Napheesa Collier, who struggled offensively in Game 2, scored eight points in the first quarter, nearly surpassing her total of nine from the previous game.
Neither team was able to shoot well from deep with each team making only one of their five three-point attempts, but the Lynx were able to find 14 points in the paint to take a 23-16 lead heading into the first break.
Cecilia Zandalasini breaks down the defense and banks it in off the glass
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The shooting for each team would begin to heat up at the start of the second quarter as a deep three-pointer from DeWanna Bonner would cut the Minnesota lead down to three. Kayla McBride and the Lynx would immediately respond with this and-1 shot from the corner.
4-point play for Kayla MCBUCKETS
MIN continues to extend the gap in the 2Q
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That shot and the subsequent free throw sparked a 22-13 run for the Lynx to close the second quarter, giving them a 48-36 lead at halftime. Collier was sensational in the half, scoring 16 points on 7-10 shooting while adding in six rebounds.
Courtney Williams would start the third quarter strong for the Lynx, scoring their first four points of the half on a pair of layups.
same pops, same. pic.twitter.com/0537WJWPNL
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 5, 2024
The Sun would slowly begin to cut into the Lynx lead, narrowing the lead to eight points halfway through the third quarter. Minnesota would quickly stop the bleeding, allowing just five points in the final five minutes of the quarter to take a 68-54 going into the fourth quarter.
In the final quarter, Connecticut would again begin to slowly cut into the Lynx lead, making it an eight-point deficit with just over three minutes left. Minnesota, as they often have, would immediately respond with a Collier jump fadeaway jump shot and a three-pointer by Alanna Smith, assisted by Collier.
Make that 26 PTS and counting for Phee
MIN leads late in the 4th.
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The Sun would go on a small scoring run, but it would prove to be too little too late as the Lynx take Game 3 90-81 to take the series lead 2-1.
Collier continued her spectacular playoff campaign with 26 points on 11-19 shooting, adding 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block to her impressive scoring line. Williams scored 16 points, with McBride and Bridget Carleton also scoring in double-figures.
Bonner led the way for the Sun with 16 points and eight rebounds. Marina Mabrey, who shot 6-11 from deep in Connecticut’s Game 1 win, has since only made three of her 18 attempts in Games 2 and 3.
Up Next
The series with the Sun continues Sunday with Game 4 in Connecticut with a chance for the Lynx to win the series and clinch a spot in the WNBA Finals. The game will tip-off at 4:00 PM CT with fans being able to watch the game on ESPN.