{"id":149971,"date":"2024-10-06T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swishappeal.com\/wnba\/2024\/10\/6\/24262826\/wnba-playoffs-semifinals-min-lynx-con-sun-napheesa-collier-dijonai-marina-alyssa-thomas-bonner-reeve"},"modified":"2024-10-06T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-06T15:00:00","slug":"semifinals-game-4-preview-minnesota-lynx-vs-connecticut-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamefootballmobileanimeiphone.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/06\/semifinals-game-4-preview-minnesota-lynx-vs-connecticut-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Semifinals Game 4 preview: Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n \"Minnesota
The Sun\u2019s DeWanna Bonner attempts to steal the ball from the Lynx\u2019s Courtney Williams in Game 3. | Photo by Joe Buglewicz\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx have the opportunity to close out their semifinal series and return to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2017. The No. 3-seed Connecticut Sun, however, are determined to send the series to a Game 5.<\/p>\n

On Friday night<\/a>, the No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx established some separation from the No. 3-seed Connecticut Sun, winning Game 3 of their semifinal series, 90-81.<\/p>\n

Across the three regular-season games between the two teams, the Sun had outscored the Lynx by a mere four points. Through the first two playoff games, the Lynx had just a four-point edge. Does Friday night\u2019s rather commanding Minnesota win suggest that the Lynx have cracked Connecticut? Or, will the Sun re-establish the competitive equilibrium between the two squads? <\/p>\n

Game 4 tips off on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena (ESPN2). <\/p>\n

Minnesota is nice<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n \"2024
\n Photo by Chris Marion\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/cite>
Napheesa Collier leads the WNBA playoffs in scoring at 26.8 points per game.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since the Sun rumbled into Target Center last Sunday and stole Game 1 from the Lynx, Minnesota has been the more aggressive team, not just matching, but exceeding, Connecticut\u2019s signature intensity. Quite possibly, head coach Cheryl Reeve\u2019s reported confrontation<\/a> with Sun players after Game 1 inspired her team to take things to another level. <\/p>\n

Or, maybe Minnesota is just the better, more balanced team? After a pair of quiet scoring outings in the first two games, Napheesa Collier put on an MV-Phee performance in Game 3, with the DPOY displaying her enviably well-rounded game. Courtney Williams, who spent two previous stints with the Sun, has gotten her midrange game going, with back-to-back efficient scoring games. Alanna Smith has shown off the skills that earned her a first All-Defensive honor, leading the playoffs with 12 total blocks. Myisha Hines-Allen has brought her brand of bully ball from off the bench. And Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton, while both playing solid ball, have yet to unleash a bonkers 3-point shooting show. <\/p>\n

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one more. pic.twitter.com\/b71qKfj91E<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) October 5, 2024<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n