MVP front-runner exits with injury as Lynx win, will face Fever in Commissioner's Cup final

Courtney Williams scored 20 points as the Minnesota Lynx rallied for a 76-62 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Tuesday in Minneapolis to clinch a spot in the Commissioner's Cup final.

Williams scored 18 of her points in the second half while Diamond Miller and Natisha Hiedeman each chipped in 12 points off the bench.

Alanna Smith recorded a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Lynx (11-1), who improved to 6-0 at home and will face the Indiana Fever on July 1 for the title. Minnesota won the Cup last year.

The Lynx put away the Aces despite not having MVP candidate Napheesa Collier most of the second half. She left early in the third with an apparent back injury and did not return.

Las Vegas led by as many as 14 in the first half but couldn't hold on. Jewell Loyd scored 12 while Tiffany Mitchell added 10 for the Aces (5-6), who turned the ball over 21 times on their way to their second consecutive loss.

Las Vegas was playing without reigning MVP A'ja Wilson for the third consecutive game as she remains in concussion protocol.

Minnesota led 56-52 after three quarters, erasing a 39-30 halftime deficit. A 10-1 run to start the third fueled the comeback. Williams pulled the Lynx even with the Aces on a pull-up jumper with 5:26 to play.

Smith's layup with 4:14 left gave Minnesota its first lead of the night at 45-43. She was fouled on the play but did not make the free throw.

The Lynx outscored the Aces 26-13 in the third and opened the fourth on a 14-2 run. They took their first double-digit lead at 65-54 with 7:07 to play on a drive to the basket by Hiedeman.

Las Vegas opened the game on an 8-0 run thanks in part to a couple of baskets from Mitchell, who started in place of Wilson and played for Minnesota in 2023.

Collier ended the Lynx's scoring drought on a jumper in the lane with 6:39 to play in the opening quarter. She was fouled on the shot and made the ensuing free throw.

The Aces led 18-15 after one as Kierstan Bell made a jumper as time expired.

Las Vegas led 30-19 with 5:29 to go after back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Dana Evans, Loyd and Kiah Stokes. Meanwhile, the Lynx had no luck from beyond the arc, missing their first 11 shots from distance as they struggled to keep pace.

Miller connected on Minnesota's first 3-pointer of the night with 1:37 to play, closing the gap to 37-28. The Lynx were held to a season low in points for a half.