WNBA: Semifinals sequence between Lynx, Solar shifts to Connecticut

The 2024 WNBA semifinal sequence between the No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx and No. 3-seed Connecticut Solar shifts to Uncasville this Friday, Oct. 4, tied at one recreation apiece. Tip off for Recreation 3 of the sequence is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the sport will likely be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

After a considerably disappointing Recreation 1 efficiency on their dwelling court docket, the Lynx evened issues up in Recreation 2, defeating the Solar 77-70. Minnesota’s seven-point margin of victory was the most important of any of the 5 video games performed between the Lynx and Solar in 2024 (regular-season video games included), additional highlighting how evenly matched the 2 groups are.

“The extra we play [the Sun], the extra we perceive what’s obtainable,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve commented after the sport. “We had an aggression about us that was essential. You need to be bodily and mentally robust, as a result of they positive are.”

Reeve went on to reward her workforce’s bounce-back mentality, significantly that of guard Courtney Williams. After struggling in Recreation 1, Williams scored a team-high 17 factors in Recreation 2, 15 of which got here within the second half; she and Minnesota’s different guards additionally held up higher defensively in opposition to the Solar’s Marina Mabrey, who knocked down six 3-pointers in Recreation 1 however shot simply 4-of-14 in Recreation 2. As a workforce, the Lynx outshot the Solar 45.2 % to 36.4 %.

The Solar have to handle the main points in Recreation 3

The Solar will now get a chance to defend their dwelling court docket, a spot the place they’ve traditionally been fairly profitable. In the course of the 2024 common season, the Solar went 14-6 at dwelling, and their 10.3 internet ranking at dwelling was second within the WNBA.

Connecticut head coach Stephanie White is aware of that her workforce received’t be capable of lean on homecourt benefit alone, although, citing a necessity to enhance in a number of areas—primarily 3-point protection and defensive rebounding. “If you’re speaking about two of the perfect defensive groups within the league, each possession issues,” White instructed the media after Recreation 2. “We’ve received to wash up a few of the particulars and bounce again.”

Picture by Jordan Johnson/NBAE through Getty Pictures

It’s nothing new within the ongoing chess match between White and Reeve, whose groups—regardless of going about their respective success in vastly alternative ways—at all times appear to finish up in tightly-contested video games that aren’t actually determined till their last moments. And whereas every coach can and can proceed making small changes (White referenced a necessity for extra off-ball motion from the Solar in Recreation 3), it’s going to in the end be the gamers who determine the outcomes.

The matchup between Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier and Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas, particularly, has lived as much as the hype. After an excellent opening spherical during which she scored 80 factors in two video games, Collier has shot a mixed 10-for-30 from the sphere in opposition to Connecticut to date, due largely to Thomas’ bodily protection; Thomas, in the meantime, has totaled 35 factors, 20 rebounds and 16 assists in these two video games, although the Lynx have accomplished a greater job than most of protecting her off the free throw line.

The Lynx have proved they don’t want Collier to be at her finest scoring-wise to win, although. Minnesota’s bench outscored Connecticut’s 16-4 in Recreation 2, drawing reward from coach and teammates alike. “A workforce that has a bench that exhibits up and contributes goes to have a big-time benefit,” Reeve stated. “There’s a lot stress on the beginning 5, and so they need assistance.”

“You’ll be able to’t sleep when our bench is available in,” added beginning ahead Alanna Smith.

Picture by David Berding/Getty Pictures

Connecticut’s roster isn’t inbuilt a manner that may go toe-to-toe with Minnesota’s when it comes to depth—Thomas is at all times a powerful candidate to play a whole 40 minutes, and the few Solar bench gamers who do see the court docket aren’t sometimes requested to attain—however the return of level guard Tyasha Harris ought to assist. Harris, who had been nursing an ankle damage suffered within the Solar’s first playoff recreation in opposition to the Indiana Fever, returned to motion in Recreation 2, however in restricted capability. If she’s wholesome sufficient to spell Mabrey extra in Recreation 3, the extra depth and variety in taking part in type within the backcourt might be an element for the Solar.

Connecticut can even must discover a solution to hold Hines-Allen from imposing her will. The veteran ahead, who Minnesota traded for on the commerce deadline, was a game-high +11 in quarter-hour in Recreation 2 and is likely one of the few Lynx who can match the Solar’s general stage of power within the frontcourt. She’ll play a giant position off the bench as soon as once more as Minnesota seems to be to take a lead within the sequence.

Recreation info

No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx (1-1) vs. No. 3-seed Connecticut Solar (1-1)

When: Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET

The place: Mohegan Solar Enviornment in Uncasville, CT

How you can watch: ESPN2

Lynx damage report: none

Solar damage report: Tiffany Mitchell (out; sickness)