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WNBA: Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx – Report From Section 111

Originally posted on Beyond Women's Sports
By Martin Ruben | Last updated May 24, 2025 12:31 PM ET

For the second game in a row, the Minnesota Lynx had to come from behind for a win. But unlike the game against Dallas, the Connecticut Sun held onto their lead until the 4:56 mark of the fourth quarter.

The Sun were up 15 points when Napheesa Collier hit a 3 point shot, sparking a 20 – 2 run by Minnesota, during which Collier scored a pair of free throws, giving the Lynx their first lead of the game with 1:38 remaining. Marina Mabrey scored a layup for the Sun with 42 seconds left, bringing them to a 1 point deficit, but Natisha Hiedeman hit a 3 point shot right after a Lynx time out, and Collier scored the next three points off of free throws, giving the Lynx a surprising victory, 76 – 70.

Connecticut Played Well Versus Minnesota

With the Sun seemingly having the game under control, to give up that lead with so little time left was astounding. For the majority of the game, the Lynx played about as poorly as a team could, missing shots, no strong defense, and a Connecticut Sun team hungry for their first win of the season. The Sun seemed to be in complete control. They outscored from three and out-rebounded the Lynx 40 – 31.

They held the Lynx to 39.1% shooting, but only turned Minnesota over 15 times. The Lynx turned over the Sun 23 times, conceding 18 points. On the other side, the Lynx gave up 14 points off of 15 turnovers. Connecticut only shot 40.9%, but it was one of those games where it seemed like more.

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Marina Mabrey led the way for the Sun, scoring 22 points with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Also, Mabrey went 4 – 12 from three. Haley Peters scored 12, rookie Saniya Rivers 11, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa scored 10. Veteran Tina Charles, who played 30 minutes, was held to 4 points. Their efficiency dropped in the second half of the game, in which the Lynx outscored the Sun 41 – 25.

Minnesota And Its Path To The Win Over Connecticut

Minnesota struggled mightily for most of the game. Courtney Williams had an uncharacteristically poor game, going 0 – 11. Alanna Smith played only 15 minutes and scored 2. Smith amassed 5 fouls as well. Bridget Carleton went 2 – 11, but both were 3 point shots and seemed to come at pivotal moments. Hiedeman and Jessica Shepard scored 11 and 13 respectively, and provided some much needed energy off the bench.

But it was Collier who took charge and scored a game high 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, showing again that championship caliber of play that makes her so dangerous.

How the Lynx managed to win the game after playing so poorly is a testament to the resolve and discipline of the Lynx. The Sun, on the other hand, are a new version of the team, having lost all their previous starters to trades in the off-season.

They have the pieces to be a much better team than was seen. Rookie Saniya Rivers showed, as did Peters and Nelson-Ododa. With new head coach Rachid Meziane and an entirely new system, the Sun will need to stay the course and stay focused. Veterans Charles and Bria Hartley bring savvy experience, as does Jacy Sheldon and former Lynx Lindsay Allen. It is just going to take time.

Minnesota, with a few days off before Seattle comes to town on Tuesday. They will need to put the kibosh on this kind of start. While the team’s discipline is admirable, it doesn’t always translate to the scoreboard. It now needs to do just that.

Connecticut heads to Atlanta for a Sunday game against the Dream, again looking for their first win.

And that, my friends, as they say, is that.’ — Martin Ruben.

This article first appeared on Beyond Women's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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