Collier scores 26 to help Lynx top Sun 90-81 in Game 3 of semifinal series and take 2-1 lead
The star player for the Lynx scored 26 points, leading Minnesota to a 90-81 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Friday night, thereby securing a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinal series.
“Everyone experiences an off night, and I strive to contribute in other ways to support the team,” remarked Collier, who had managed only nine points on 3-of-14 shooting in Game 2.
Throughout the season, she has dedicated herself to improving on both ends of the court, and as the league's runner-up for MVP, she maintained the confidence that her previous poor shooting performance was an anomaly.
As Connecticut mounted a late comeback, Collier executed three consecutive plays that shifted the momentum and ultimately secured the victory.
With Minnesota ahead 81-73 and 3:03 remaining, she scored, followed by a deflection on defense, and concluded the sequence by assisting Alanna Smith for a 3-pointer, extending the lead to 13 points.
“It’s crunch time, and I recognized the need to be aggressive, particularly in one-on-one situations,” Collier stated. “Additionally, we had to maintain that same intensity on the defensive end, as they were playing with urgency towards the end.”
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Connecticut, where the Lynx aim to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017. That year marked the conclusion of Minnesota's fourth championship during a seven-year period. Should it be necessary, Game 5 will take place in Minnesota on Tuesday night.
Collier demonstrated her offensive prowess by scoring 16 points in the first half on Friday, displaying aggression from the outset. Minnesota established a seven-point lead after the first quarter and extended it to 48-36 by halftime, largely due to Collier's performance, as she successfully converted seven of her ten attempts in the initial 20 minutes.
READ ALSO: Lynx top Sun 77-70 in Game 2 to even WNBA semifinals behind Collier’s supporting cast
The Sun attempted to mount a comeback, narrowing the gap to seven points following a three-point play by Marina Mabrey midway through the third quarter. However, that was the closest they would come.
“It was a tough loss for us. They executed their offensive strategy effectively,” remarked Connecticut coach Stephanie White. “We did not adequately prepare for today’s game. We were outplayed, out-executed, and out-coached.”
Brionna Jones, who had only accumulated eight points in the first two games, led Connecticut with 21 points in this match.
DeWanna Bonner contributed 16 points for the Sun, which allowed her to ascend to second place on the WNBA career postseason scoring list during the third quarter. She surpassed Candace Parker, who had 1,149 points throughout her distinguished career. Bonner now holds 1,159 points, having moved ahead of Parker with a free throw made with 1:36 remaining in the quarter. Diana Taurasi of Phoenix remains the all-time leader with 1,455 points.
All five starters for the Sun scored in double figures; however, the bench provided minimal support, as the Sun reserves were outscored 16-4 by their counterparts from Minnesota.
The initial two games were marked by a physical intensity between the teams, both of which are known for their strong defensive play. They were the top two defensive teams during the regular season, with the Sun allowing an average of 73.6 points per game and the Lynx permitting 75.6.
The previous games in Minnesota featured several hard fouls from both teams, but Game 3 saw a notable reduction in such physicality.
“I perceived the first two games as a real slugfest,” stated Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve. “And I am quite certain they felt the same way.”
There has been considerable banter on the court, particularly between Courtney Williams and Mabrey. The two were teammates in Chicago last year and have stated that their exchanges are merely playful interactions during the game, with no animosity existing between them
SportsLigue