WNBA: Can Sun extend semifinal series against Lynx to Game 5?

On Friday night, 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.

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’s rather commanding Minnesota win suggest that the Lynx have cracked Connecticut? Or, will the Sun re-establish the competitive equilibrium between the two squads?

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

Minnesota is nice

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’s signature intensity. Quite possibly, head coach Cheryl Reeve’s reported confrontation with Sun players after Game 1 inspired her team to take things to another level.

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.

Add up how all these players complement each other in Reeve’s systems, forming an efficient offensive machine that thrives on ball movement and a connected defense capable of matching Connecticut’s physicality, and it becomes easy to envision Minnesota again proving themselves superior on Sunday, punching the franchise’s first ticket to the WNBA Finals since 2017.

Can Connecticut come back?

Of course, it’s unwise to think that Connecticut will go down without a knockdown, drag-out fight. This organization, led by the Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones core, desperately seeks its first title. And even if the Sun’s depth is not equal to that of the Lynx, Connecticut sports a strong supporting cast, highlighted by the strapping defense of Most Improved Player DiJonai Carrington and the ignitable offense of Marina Mabrey.

Both players must come to play on Sunday. Along with disruptive defense, Carrington has to contribute efficient offense. A hot 3-point shooting afternoon, in particular, would be desirable, as Carrington is shooting just 22.2 percent from deep in the playoffs. After an off night in Game 3, Mabrey must rediscover her scoring sizzle, where her tough shotmaking is punctuated by timely buckets that stunt any Minnesota momentum.

Connecticut could also use something extra from Veronica Burton or Ty Harris. Neither can be afraid to be aggressive on the offensive end. While Thomas and Bonner can be counted on to captain an all-out defensive effort, the Sun can still suffer through scoring droughts. That’s where a few fearless baskets from Burton and Harris could make a big difference.

After Game 3, head coach Stephanie White suggested the Sun “got outplayed, outexecuted and outcoached.” It will not be surprising if the Sun turn the tables in Game 4, leaving Reeve ready to charge into her own team’s locker room as the series heads back to Minneapolis for a Game 5.

Game information

No. 2-seed Minnesota Lynx (2-1) vs. No. 3-seed Connecticut Sun (1-2)

When: Sunday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. ET

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT

How to watch: ESPN2

Lynx injury report: none

Sun injury report: Tiffany Mitchell (out; illness)