On a picturesque Sunday afternoon in downtown Minneapolis, the Minnesota Lynx showcased their dominance in the WNBA with a decisive 102-63 victory over the struggling Connecticut Sun. This win came on the heels of a thrilling 96-92 overtime triumph against the Atlanta Dream, allowing the Lynx to maintain their position at the top of the league standings.
With an impressive record of 13 wins in their first 15 games, the Lynx faced a Connecticut team still searching for momentum, having secured only two victories in 16 matchups this season. The Sun’s situation was worsened by the absence of their leading scorer, Marina Mabry, who is sidelined for the next couple of weeks due to a knee injury.
From the start, the Lynx established their intention to control the game, quickly jumping to a ten-point lead with the help of MVP frontrunner Napheesa Collier, who contributed an early four points. After a competitive opening, the Lynx seized definitive control with a remarkable 29-2 scoring run that spanned from the final moments of the first quarter into the second.
A standout moment came when Kayla McBride hustled to retrieve a seemingly lost ball and sank a three-pointer, illuminating the Lynx’s team spirit and tenacity. By halftime, the Lynx had built a commanding 50-26 lead, benefiting from strong performances across the lineup and a total of 14 assists on their 19 field goals in the first half. However, a setback occurred as Karlie Samuelson exited the game during the second quarter and did not return.
The Lynx continued to dominate in the second half, outscoring the Sun 27-15 in the third quarter, with Collier contributing 15 points and McBride adding another nine. Minnesota finished the game with a remarkable 36-point lead, leading to their impressive 14-2 record.
Collier stood out once again with 23 points, nine rebounds, and strong defensive plays, while McBride impressed with 20 points and five assists. Despite the loss, Aneesah Morrow was the leading scorer for the Sun with 16 points.
Following earlier game results that saw losses for the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury, the Lynx now hold a three-game lead in the loss column, marking them as the best team in the WNBA. Collier’s exceptional season earned her a spot as one of the two WNBA All-Star Game captains, alongside Caitlin Clark.
Looking ahead, the Lynx will stay at home as they prepare to compete in the Commissioner’s Cup Championship against the Indiana Fever on July 1. The much-anticipated match will tip off at 7 PM CT at Target Center, with a chance for both teams to claim a $500,000 prize pool, available for viewing on Amazon Prime Video.
With continued strong performances, the Lynx are poised for not just success this season, but potentially a significant playoff run.