WNBA Playoff Showdown: Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx in Decisive Game 5

With a highly anticipated match set for Tuesday evening, the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx will face off in the final game of the WNBA semifinals at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Both teams are vying for a place in the WNBA Finals, with the Sun aiming for their first title and the Lynx aiming to make history as the first franchise to secure five championships.

Throughout the series, the contest has been tightly contested, with six out of seven games this season between the teams being decided by single digits, including a dramatic overtime game. This evening’s matchup will be only the third Game 5 in the history of the Lynx, who hold a 2-1 record in such games, all previously won on home court in the finals from 2015 to 2017.

Home-court advantage has proven unpredictable in past WNBA playoffs, as visiting teams have taken the last seven decisive playoff games. Notably, the Sun have won three of these, including a victory over the Lynx in the first round last year.

Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas will be a critical player to watch, known for her prowess in elimination games, having achieved an unprecedented 23 victories in such situations, according to ESPN Research. The Sun’s success in Tuesday’s matchup will likely hinge on limiting the performance of Lynx star Napheesa Collier, who has been a standout this postseason with an average of 27.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.

In their recent 92-82 victory in Game 4, Connecticut managed to temporarily slow Collier by switching defender DeWanna Bonner onto her in the second half, which helped the Sun overcome a halftime deficit. Despite this success, the Sun will have to replicate their defensive strategy to ensure victory in Game 5.

The Lynx, meanwhile, will count on their solid defense against three-point shooting, a factor that has paid off during the regular season as well as earlier in this playoff series. Veteran players on both teams bring abundant playoff experience, with Bonner leading with 86 career appearances and Thomas with 46, while Minnesota’s recent playoff games highlighted players like Kayla McBride and Rachel Banham.

With tip-off set for 7:00 PM CT and the game broadcast on ESPN2, fans are eagerly anticipating an intense and potentially historic match as these teams play for the ultimate prize. The injury report for Connecticut lists Tiffany Mitchell as out due to illness, while the Lynx report a clean bill of health.