WNBA playoffs: Sun force decisive Game 5 in semifinal series vs. Lynx, winning 92–82

The New York Liberty will have to wait one more game before their opponent in the 2024 WNBA Finals is determined.

The Connecticut Sun forced a decisive Game 5 in their playoff semifinal series, defeating the Minnesota Lynx 92–82 in Game 4 on Sunday. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Minnesota led 50–43 at the half and appeared to be in position to move on to the WNBA Finals. But Connecticut came back with a second-half surge, outscoring Minnesota 49–32.

“Obviously, there’s a sense of urgency,” Sun coach Stephanie White said before the game. “You got to play like you were desperate.”

The Lynx cut the deficit to 72–65 with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Sun finished off the game with a 20–17 run led by Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner for the final margin.

Tyasha Harris scored 20 points (a playoff career high) to lead the Sun, shooting 4-for-5 on 3s. Thomas followed with 18 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists. Bonner also had 18 points with eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. And DiJonai Carrington finished with 15 points and four rebounds.

3-point shooting again makes the difference

One big difference for the Sun in Game 4 was better shooting on 3-pointers. After a 3-for-20 performance in Game 3, Connecticut bounced back to shoot 8-for-15 (53%) from behind the arc. Besides Harris’ four 3-pointers, Marina Mabrey shot 2-for-6 after going 1-for-11 in Friday’s loss.

Another difference from Game 3 was Minnesota shooting poorly from 3-point range. The Lynx went 10-for-26 (39%) with Bridget Carleton going 2-for-11.

Napheesa Collier followed up her 26-point, 11-rebound performance in Game 3 with 29 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Lynx. But she was the team’s only consistent scoring threat.

Natisha Heideman followed with 16 points, including a long 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the first half. But Courtney Williams was the only other Minnesota player to score in double figures with 11 points.

Who would Liberty rather face in the WNBA Finals?

The Liberty await the winner of Tuesday’s Game 5 after defeating the Las Vegas Aces, 76–62, to finish their WNBA playoff semifinal. Presumably, New York’s players and coaches will say it doesn’t matter who their opponent is for the championship. But they had a better record against one of the teams.

During the regular season, the Liberty went 3–1 against the Sun. Breanna Stewart averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds, playing three of the four games. Sabrina Ionescu was even better, scoring 21.8 points per game.

Neither the Liberty nor the Sun has ever won a WNBA championship, while the Lynx have four titles in franchise history, last winning in 2017.

Against Minnesota, New York went 1–2. Collier averaged 16 points and 12 rebounds in the three games, followed by Kayla McBride‘s 14 points per game.

Breanna Stewart averaged 25 points and 15 rebounds for the Liberty, including 38 points and 18 rebounds in their Sept. 15 matchup. Sabrina Ionescu scored 14.3 points per game.

The WNBA Finals will tip off Thursday.