Lynx vs. Sun Preview: Do-or-Die Game Approaches as Collier and Thomas Compete for Finals Spot

At 8 PM on October 9, the WNBA semifinals will see a decisive Game 5, with the Minnesota Lynx hosting the Connecticut Sun. The series is currently tied at 2-2.

In the previous four games, the Sun secured an away victory first. The Lynx adjusted and won two consecutive games to lead 2-1. However, in the crucial Game 4, the Lynx failed to end the series early. The Sun, with the support of their home crowd, won 92-82, leveling the series at 2-2. This is the first do-or-die game of the playoffs, while in the other semifinal, the Liberty eliminated the Aces 3-1 to advance to the finals.

This season, the Minnesota Lynx achieved a record of 30 wins and 10 losses, ranking second in the league, while the Connecticut Sun followed closely behind with 28 wins and 12 losses, placing third. Both teams were well-balanced offensively and defensively during the regular season. In their three regular-season matchups, the Sun had a slight edge with 2 wins and 1 loss, but the margins were close, indicating that the gap between the teams was minimal. The results of the past four games reflect this.

In the semifinal encounters, Collier, the Lynx’s core player, did not continue her hot streak from the first round in the first game, leading to a loss. In the second game, Collier performed even worse, but fortunately, her teammates stepped up, balancing the score. In the third game, Collier finally found her rhythm, scoring 26 points and 11 rebounds to secure a win. In the fourth game, Harris of the Sun emerged as a dark horse, scoring 20 points, with Thomas and Bonner also contributing consistently, extending the series to a decisive Game 5.

This decisive Game 5 is primarily a psychological battle, requiring players to show determination. Compared to the Sun, the Lynx have the more outstanding core player in Collier, who has averaged 27.2 points and 9.3 rebounds in the playoffs so far, making her a formidable scorer. She is supported by McBride, Williams, and Carter, who can also contribute. On the Sun’s side, there isn’t a super scorer. Mabrey leads with an average of 17.2 points per game, while Thomas and Bonner each contribute 16 points, and Carrington adds 13 points. If they all perform well, it’s promising, but any missing link could disrupt their rhythm against the opponent.

This time, neither team has room for retreat. It’s a one-game playoff where the winner advances to the finals to compete against the league-leading Liberty for the WNBA championship this season.

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