MINNEAPOLIS — Courtney Williams lined up her toes behind the 3-point line, rose up and adopted by means of. In what appeared like solely a courtesy, she waited till the ball hit the underside of the online earlier than turning round and flexing on the crowd.
It was merely that type of an evening for Williams and the Minnesota Lynx, who punched their ticket to the WNBA Finals with an 88-77 win over the Connecticut Solar. It’s the franchise’s first journey to the finals since 2017, when Minnesota received its fourth WNBA title in seven seasons.
Williams began 6-of-6 from the ground within the first half and ended the night time with 24 factors, a team-high seven assists and two steals. With the offense funneling by means of Williams, the Lynx had their greatest offensive displaying of the semifinals — and it couldn’t have come at a greater time.
Courtney Williams will get the bucket plus the foul, and her dad is LOVING IT 🔥#WNBAPlayoffs introduced by @google pic.twitter.com/3x3Zrx2Lwr
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024
Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 27 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 blocks whereas Kayla McBride had her greatest night time of the postseason, ending with 19 factors and 4 assists.
Whereas the Lynx had a gentle cushion by means of a lot of the sport because of an enormous 31-point first quarter, Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve by no means appeared to calm down from the bench.
Napheesa Collier provides the Lynx a 13-PT LEAD on the finish of the 1Q 👀#WNBAPlayoffs introduced by @google pic.twitter.com/tVpFcO3MZx
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 9, 2024
The Solar overcame a seven-point deficit in Sport 4 to drive a decisive Sport 5 (earlier than then, the Solar had been 0-15 in video games they trailed by seven or extra at halftime) however the 19-point halftime lead for Minnesota was far too nice for Connecticut. The Solar, particularly with Marina Mabrey struggling an ankle damage within the first quarter and seemingly restricted thereafter, couldn’t bridge the hole from vary.
Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas, normally on triple-double watch, struggled in opposition to Collier and Alanna Smith all night. Thomas completed with seven factors, six assists and three rebounds by means of 39 minutes.
Minnesota will face the New York Liberty, who superior to the finals with a highway win over the Las Vegas Aces, the two-time defending champs, on Sunday. The Lynx went 3-1 in opposition to the Liberty through the common season, together with a June Commissioner’s Cup win.
The WNBA Finals tip off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in New York with a 2-2-1 format.
This story will probably be up to date.
(Picture: Matt Krohn / Imagn Photos)
