minnesota Lynx

SOURCE SPORTS: Minnesota Lynx Stun NY Liberty in Thrilling Game 1 Comeback, 95-93

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Elsa/Getty Images

The Minnesota Lynx pulled off one of the largest comebacks in WNBA Finals history, defeating the New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime to take Game 1 of the 2024 WNBA Finals. Down by 18 points early in the second quarter, the Lynx fought back multiple times throughout the game.

After cutting New York’s lead to two points in the third quarter, Minnesota faced a 15-point deficit with just five minutes remaining in the fourth. But the Lynx stormed back with an 18-2 run, capped by a four-point play from Courtney Williams, giving them their first lead with 5.5 seconds left. Breanna Stewart’s free throws sent the game to overtime, but Minnesota continued to battle.

Down four in the final minute of OT, New York rallied with steals and layups from Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones to tie the game. But with 8.8 seconds left, Lynx star Napheesa Collier hit a tough fadeaway jumper to seal the win. Stewart missed a layup on New York’s final possession, and Minnesota took Game 1.

Courtney Williams (23 points), Kayla McBride (22 points), and Collier (21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 blocks) led the Lynx, who now have a 74% chance to win the title, as teams that win Game 1 have done so 20 of 27 times. Collier’s performance puts her in elite company, joining Lisa Leslie and Sylvia Fowles as one of the few players with 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 5+ blocks in a Finals game.

In seeking its first-ever WNBA title, New York was led by Jonquel Jones (24 points) while Stewart and Ionescu struggled with 29.8% shooting.

Game 2 is set for Sunday.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Sun Force Game 5 with 92-82 Victory Over Lynx

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Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images

The Connecticut Sun kept their WNBA Finals hopes alive with a 92-82 win over the Minnesota Lynx, tying the series 2-2 and setting up a decisive Game 5 on Tuesday in Minneapolis. Connecticut dominated the second half, outscoring Minnesota 25-13 in the third quarter to take control, followed by a 24-19 advantage in the fourth to secure the win.

Tyasha Harris, who had been limited in the semifinals due to an ankle injury, made a stunning comeback, scoring a team-high 20 points with four 3-pointers. DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas each added 18 points, with Thomas also dishing out a game-high 11 assists. DiJonai Carrington contributed 15 points off the bench, while Marina Mabrey chipped in 10.

The Liberty, who clinched their Finals berth, will have to wait until Tuesday to find out their opponent for the championship round. Game 5 between the Sun and Lynx is set for 8 PM ET on ESPN2.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Alyssa Thomas Leads Connecticut to Game 1 Victory in Minnesota

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David ShermanNBAE via Getty Images

Alyssa Thomas came up clutch for the Connecticut Sun, hitting a key push shot with 12 seconds remaining to secure a 73-70 road win over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 1 of their WNBA Semifinal series. Thomas, who narrowly missed recording her fifth career playoff triple-double, finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

Despite falling just short of the historic stat line, Thomas delivered when it mattered most. “It was a tough game, but we stayed composed and made the plays we needed to win,” said Thomas, whose basket sealed the victory.

Marina Mabrey was a standout for the Sun, leading all scorers with 20 points, including six three-pointers. “My teammates have a lot of faith in me, and AT does a great job finding me,” Mabrey said of her performance from beyond the arc. DeWanna Bonner added 10 points and 11 rebounds, marking her 83rd playoff appearance—a new WNBA record.

Minnesota was led by 2024 KIA WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier, who posted 19 points and 9 rebounds. Bridget Carleton chipped in with 17 points, and Alanna Smith had a strong defensive showing, blocking five shots.

Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve, named Coach and Executive of the Year on Sunday, will look to regroup her team for Game 2 on Tuesday as they aim to even the series before heading to Connecticut.

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Satou Sabally Labels Lynx Fans “Disgusting” Following Injury Cheers

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Dallas Wings star Satou Sabally did not hold back when discussing the Minnesota Lynx fanbase following a tense match between the two teams on August 22. “Disgusting fan base in Minny. The Schadenfreude to see someone get hurt can’t be a WNBA culture. Terrible words from the sidelines all game long,” Sabally tweeted following the Wings’ 91-86 loss. Her reaction came as a result of several fans appearing to cheer and yell insults at the forward after she appeared to go down with an injury late in the game. Reportedly, fans could be heard yelling that they were “glad” she was injured. A report from local media indicated that three fans had been ejected.

Sabally, the second-overall pick in 2020, led the Wings with 22 points. The German-born player is having a career year, excelling in a number of statistical categories. Across 33 games, she is averaging 17.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Additionally, at 18-15, the Wings are second in the Western Conference. The Wings will host the Lynx in a return fixture on August 24. At this time, the Wings have not indicated if Sabally will play.

Read More: Sabrina Ionescu asks for shoe thieves to return custom insoles

Lynx Back Sabally, Blast Disrespectful Fans

Furthermore, speaking after the game, members of the Lynx organization unequivocally backed Sabally. “There’s no place for that. I was disappointed,” head coach Cheryl Reeve said. “I apologized. Our fans are passionate, [but] you just can’t cross the line of celebrating someone’s injury. We wouldn’t want that. We apologize that that happened to Satou.”

“Of course, it gets competitive and tensions are running high when we’re on the court, but we never want to see someone getting hurt. Celebrating that is super inappropriate and not something that represents us as a team or as players. I did think that fan deserved to get kicked out because I don’t want that to represent who we are as Lynx. A lot of our fans, most of our fans, aren’t like that. We don’t want that to tarnish who we are,” added forward Napheesa Collier.

Read More: A’ja Wilson ties WNBA single-game scoring record

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