Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Sports
The Associated Press
Uncasville, Conn.

Connecticut Sun force Game 5 with 92-82 win over the Minnesota Lynx

con sun vs mn lynx
Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas guards Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of Game 4 in the WNBA basketball semifinals, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn.
Jessica Hill | AP

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Alyssa Thomas had 18 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to help the Connecticut Sun stave off elimination and beat the Minnesota Lynx 92-82 on Sunday, forcing a decisive Game 5 in their semifinal series.

That game will be Tuesday night in Minnesota. The winner will face the Liberty in the WNBA Finals that start Thursday in New York. The Lynx and the Liberty already met for a championship this season with Minnesota beating New York for the Commissioner’s Cup title.

Ty Harris scored 20 points to lead the Sun, who now will try to return to the Finals for the third time in six seasons. The Sun still are looking for the franchise’s first WNBA championship.

Napheesa Collier did what she could to try and get Minnesota the win, finishing with 29 points and 13 rebounds.

Minnesota is trying to get back to the Finals for the first time since the 2017 season. That year, the Lynx won their fourth championship in a span of seven years.

Harris, who injured her ankle in Game 1 of the first round series with Indiana, finally looked comfortable again on the court. She only played about seven minutes in Games 2 and 3, but was able to play 30 on Sunday and was a difference maker.

con sun vs mn lynx
Minnesota Lynx forward Dorka Juhasz (14) reacts during the first half of Game 4 in the WNBA basketball semifinals against the Connecticut Sun, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Uncasville, Conn.
Jessica Hill | AP

The Sun rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit behind Thomas and Harris. The game was tied at 61 before the Sun scored seven of the final nine points of the third quarter to go up 68-63 heading into the fourth.

Harris' 3-pointer with 5:48 left made it a 10-point game and quashed any hopes the Lynx had of finishing off the series Sunday. Minnesota was only able to get within eight the rest of the way.

Collier helped the Lynx build a seven-point lead after one quarter and Minnesota was up 47-41 when DiJonai Carrington stole the ball from Natisha Hiedeman and took it in for a layup. Hiedeman answered by hitting a 3-pointer from just inside halfcourt right before the buzzer to give the Lynx a 50-43 lead at the break. Collier finished the first half with 14 points and Hiedeman had 12 against her former team.