WNBA: Highly-competitive semifinals series expected between Lynx, Sun

The Connecticut Sun will face off against the Minnesota Lynx in the 2024 WNBA Semifinals, starting this Sunday, Sept. 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). The series, a best-of-five matchup, features the No. 3-seed Sun (with a 28-12 record in the 2024 regular season) and the No. 2-seed Lynx (30-10 record), both of whom swept their opponents in the first round of the playoffs.

In the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, the Sun clashed against the Lynx in the first round and came out victorious with a 2-1 series win. With the Sun’s consistent performance, it’s no surprise to see them back in the semifinals in 2024. The Lynx, on the other hand, have shown remarkable improvement from their 19-win campaign in 2023, setting the stage for an exciting rematch this postseason.

Both Teams See Roster Improvements

Connecticut Sun’s core identity remains the same, known for their physical style and hard work. Led by forwards Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Sun have made five consecutive appearances in the semifinals, cultivating a winning culture aiming for their first WNBA championship.

No WNBA player embodies physical play quite like the Sun’s Alyssa Thomas.

Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Minnesota is experiencing a resurgence reminiscent of their Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles era. Napheesa Collier, a versatile forward, has emerged as a star player, transitioning from a standout rookie to an MVP contender, enhancing the Lynx’s roster depth.

Over the past offseason, the Lynx made significant improvements by adding players like Courtney Williams and Alanna Smith in free agency. They adopted an offensive strategy focused on ball movement and 3-point shooting, setting records in assist rate and 3-point shooting percentage during the 2024 season.

WNBA: SEP 17 Playoffs First Round Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun — Kayla McBride is just one of many outstanding 3-point shooters on Minnesota’s roster.

Will Minnesota’s revamped offense be enough to overcome Connecticut’s challenge? The Sun also enhanced their scoring by acquiring guard Marina Mabrey midseason, adding outside shooting to support their strong interior presence led by Thomas and center Brionna Jones. With Mabrey’s arrival, the Sun now possess a perimeter threat to match up against Minnesota’s Kayla McBride.

Defensive Focus for Both Teams

Connecticut and Minnesota excel on defense, despite their differing offensive approaches. The Sun dominate on the glass and free throw line, while the Lynx thrive on perimeter play. Both teams ranked top two in defensive rating during the regular season, showcasing their defensive prowess and creating a competitive defensive environment.

Although the series promises offensive talent, expect low-scoring games as defensive intensity prevails. Only one of the three regular-season matchups between the Sun and Lynx surpassed 160 points, with one requiring overtime.

The previous regular-season games indicate a closely contested series ahead. While the Sun narrowly defeated the Lynx 2-1, the games were decided by a total of four points, keeping the outcome uncertain until the final minutes. Fans can anticipate more fiercely competitive games as the Sun and Lynx vie for a spot in the WNBA Finals.