The Connecticut Sun traveled back West on Tuesday to face the Minnesota Lynx for a winner-take-all Game 5. Alyssa Thomas and Co. had a rough start, falling behind 18-31 after the first 10 minutes of the game. The Sun defense, the best in the regular season and the first round of the playoffs had trouble stopping Minnesota's well-executed plays.
The hosts took a 53-34 halftime lead behind the explosive exploits of Kayla McBride, Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams. Minnesota dominated Connecticut on both ends of the floor in the first half.
The Sun put up a better fight in the second half, starting with their defense. Behind Thomas, the visitors limited the Lynx to 12 third-quarter points but just scored 14. Minnesota showed that it could draw the Sun into a defensive slugfest.
Connecticut's offense played its best in the fourth quarter, scoring 29 points but the Minnesota Lynx kept them close. The Lynx lost the quarter 29-23 but won the game 88-77. Napheesa Collier, who will make her first WNBA Finals appearance, hope to lead Minnesota to the title against the New York Liberty.
Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx player stats and box scores
Connecticut Sun player stats and box scores
Minnesota Lynx player stats and box scores
Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx: Game Summary
Kayla McBride was the headliner in the first half of Game 5. After scoring five points in Connecticut on Sunday, she had already 14 before the halftime break. She hit 6-of-10 shots, including 2-of-5 from deep to lead Minnesota's offensive onslaught.
McBride, Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams combined for 43 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in the first half. The trio's superb showing pushed the Lynx to a 53-34 halftime lead.
The defensive slugfest that became a theme in the series started in the third quarter. Neither Connecticut nor Minnesota got anything going on the offensive end. The Lynx were content despite losing the quarter 14-12 as they were in the driver's seat 65-48 with 10 minutes to go.
The desperate Connecticut Sun mounted a handful of rallies in the fourth quarter. DeWanna Bonner, DiJonai Carrington and Brionna Jones carried the offense. Alyssa Thomas' off-night, though, was unfortunate. Thomas finished the game with seven points, six assists and three rebounds.
The Minnesota Lynx had an answer to almost everything the Sun threw at them to punch a ticket to the WNBA Finals.