WNBA first-round playoff preview: How Lynx, Sun compare
Connecticut led the league in points allowed, giving up only 79.0 points per game. Minnesota allowed 85.0, which ranked 11th out of 12 teams.
September 13, 2023 at 12:06AM
WNBA first-round series, best of three
Wednesday: at Connecticut, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Sunday: at Connecticut, noon
Sept. 20: at Minnesota, 7 p.m. (if necessary)
Team stats
Records: Connecticut 27-13 (3rd in WNBA); Minnesota 19-21 (6th)
Points per game: Connecticut 82.7 (4); Minnesota 80.2 (9)
Offensive rating: Connecticut 103.4 (4); Minnesota 99.8 (8)
Field-goal percentage: Connecticut 44.5 (3); Minnesota 43.0 (8)
Three-point percentage: Connecticut 36.0 (4); Minnesota 32.5 (11)
Points allowed: Connecticut 79.0 (1); Minnesota 85.0 (11)
Defensive rating: Connecticut 98.8 (2); Minnesota 105.7 (10)
Opponent field-goal percentage: Connecticut 43.5 (4); Minnesota 44.5 (9)
Opponent three-point percentage: Connecticut 32.1 (1); Minnesota 35.7 (9)
Points off turnovers: Connecticut 18.5 (1); Minnesota 14.0 (9)
Points allowed off turnovers: Connecticut 14.5 (3); Minnesota 16.7 (T-11)
Players to watch
Minnesota
Napheesa Collier: Second-team all-WNBA, Collier averaged 21.5 points this season. In four games vs. the Sun, she averaged 25.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists.
Kayla McBride: Finished 10th in the league in threes made (83). Her 14.3-point scoring average was her highest in three seasons with the Lynx.
Diamond Miller: Has averaged 14.0 points, shot 50.1% overall and 42.9% on threes in her past five games.
Dorka Juhász: Like Miller, she will be playing in her first playoff game. Averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists vs. Connecticut this season.
Connecticut
Alyssa Thomas: All-WNBA first-team post averaged a triple-double in four games vs. Minnesota this season (17.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 10.3 assists).
DeWanna Bonner: Veteran wing averaged 17.5 points vs. Lynx this season.
Three story lines
Playoff experience: The Lynx starting five has a combined 23 games of postseason experience. Connecticut has 161. Lynx rookie starters Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhász will be making their first playoff appearance Wednesday.
Momentum: Can the Lynx shake off two difficult road losses to end the regular season? Minnesota was 10-10 on the road this season, with one of those 10 wins coming at Connecticut.
Containing Thomas: The Lynx were one of two teams Thomas averaged a triple-double against this season.
Don’t be surprised if you spot the WNBA standout jamming at Twin Cities concerts.
