The place to observe WNBA playoffs: Minnesota Lynx vs. Connecticut Solar preview, bracket, prediction, schedule, TV

The Minnesota Lynx are on the verge of their first Finals journey since 2017 after a snug 90-81 win over the Connecticut Solar in Sport 3 of their semifinal sequence on Friday evening. After grabbing the lead late within the first quarter, the Lynx by no means trailed once more, and spent massive chunks of the second half up by double digits. After shedding Sport 1 at dwelling, they’ve bounced again to take a 2-1 lead on this best-of-five set. Sport 4 is about for Sunday afternoon in Uncasville. 

The Lynx reached this level by sweeping the Phoenix Mercury within the first spherical, whereas the Solar did the identical to the Indiana Fever. That is the primary time Minnesota has reached this stage since 2020, whereas Connecticut is again for the sixth consecutive season. 

Forward of what ought to be a captivating sequence, this is all the pieces you could know: 

No. 2 Minnesota Lynx vs. No. 3 Connecticut Solar

• Sport 1: Solar 73, Lynx 70 (Solar, 1-0)
• Sport 2: Lynx 77, Solar 70 (Sequence tied, 1-1)
• Sport 3: Lynx 90, Solar 81 (Lynx, 2-1)
• Sport 4: Lynx at Solar, Oct. 6, TBD — TBD
• Sport 5*: Solar at Lynx, Oct. 8, TBD — ESPN2

*If vital

Gamers to observe

Lynx: Napheesa Collier

Recent off a runner-up end on this season’s MVP voting, Collier raised her recreation to a brand new degree in the course of the first spherical of the playoffs. She poured in 38 factors in Sport 1 to set what was then a career-high, then bettered that with a 42-point outing within the series-clinching Sport 2 win, which tied a WNBA report for factors in a playoff recreation. Collier is an unimaginable two-way drive and has had a few of her greatest video games this season in opposition to the Solar. If she retains enjoying like this, the Lynx will likely be powerful to beat. 

Solar: Alyssa Thomas

Thomas was a sufferer of her personal success in some methods this season. Her scoring dropped off, however she nonetheless put up 10.6 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists and 1.6 steals per recreation on 50.9% capturing, and nobody actually observed as a result of it wasn’t fairly pretty much as good as her historic 2023 marketing campaign. Few gamers are able to controlling a recreation on each ends of the ground in the best way Thomas does for the Solar. She had her fourth profession postseason triple-double in Sport 1 in opposition to the Fever, and was arguably even higher in Sport 2 when she went for 19 factors, 5 rebounds and 13 assists. 

Three keys to the sequence

Lynx’s homecourt benefit

The Minnesota Lynx spent the top of the common season chasing down the Connecticut Solar for the No. 2 general seed within the playoffs, and in the end secured that spot when Bridget Carleton hit a game-winning 3-pointer within the closing seconds of a dramatic win in Uncasville. 

Now, the Lynx, who went a league-best 13-2 after the Olympics, have homecourt benefit for this sequence. How a lot does that matter?

The Lynx have been tied with the Liberty for the very best dwelling report within the league this season at 16-4, and their protection was distinctive inside Goal Middle. In 20 dwelling video games, they boasted a 90.9 defensive ranking. For context, if they’d achieved that over the course of the season, it could be the bottom defensive ranking by any group because the 2007 Fever. 

3-point capturing

The Lynx made 38% of their 3-point makes an attempt this season, which was not solely the very best mark within the league, however the very best by any group in a full season (excluding the COVID-19-shortened bubble season in 2020) because the Fever in 2007. The Solar, alternatively, shot 32.7% from downtown for the season, and 34.6% after buying Marina Mabrey to spice up their exterior assault. 

A good larger distinction is the frequency with which these groups shoot from the surface. The Lynx tried 25 per recreation this season, whereas the Solar have been at 18, their makes an attempt barely budging with the addition of Mabrey. 

One other key distinction between the groups is that everybody within the Lynx’s beginning lineup is a prepared shooter, whereas simply two of the Solar’s most essential starters as Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones refuse to shoot from exterior of the paint. The Lynx had two gamers — Kayla McBride and Bridget Carleton — take over 200 3-point makes an attempt, whereas the Solar had none. 

The capturing expertise and depth enormously favors the Lynx on this sequence. 

Patrolling the paint

A lot in the identical manner that the Lynx have an enormous edge on the perimeter, the Solar ought to have the ability to management the paint. What they lack in peak — DeWanna Bonner is definitely the tallest starter at 6-foot-4 — they make up for with power and physicality. 

The Solar’s benefit inside ought to present itself in quite a few methods, whether or not that is paint scoring, journeys to the free throw line or rebounding. In all classes, they have been miles forward of the Lynx within the common season. This is a better have a look at the numbers, with league rank in parenthesis. 

If there’s one space the Lynx’s elite protection may very well be attacked this season, it was inside. Can the Solar accomplish that to such an extent that it makes up for the anticipated 3-point discrepency? The reply might decide who wins this sequence. 

Prediction

This can be a fascinating matchup between two unimaginable defensive groups with fully reverse approaches on the offensive finish. The Lynx have a significant edge by way of exterior capturing, whereas the Solar determine to regulate the paint. Each groups boast singular star forwards and dependable, veteran supporting casts. 

In the long run, the Lynx’s better depth of choices on offense and homecourt benefit will show to be the distinction. Decide: Lynx in 5