No. 2 Minnesota Lynx defeat No. 3 Connecticut Sun in Game 5, will face No. 1 NY Liberty in WNBA Finals

The GIST: Nine stellar semis games later, the WNBA Finals matchup is finally set — the No. 1 NY Liberty will face the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx for that shiny Tiffany & Co. Championship Trophy. Here’s how the Lynx clinched their spot and what to expect when the Finals tip off tomorrow.

Napheesa Collier leads Lynx to 88–77 Game 5 win over No. 3 Connecticut Sun: The Lynx had this one on lock from the first quarter. Collier was a force, scoring a game-high 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. But she didn’t do it alone: teammate Courtney Williams was a perfect six-for-six in the first half, finishing with 24 points.

• Meanwhile, despite a strong defensive push in the fourth quarter, the sun has set on Connecticut’s stellar season — and perhaps their title chances with this talented squad.

• Stars Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, and Brionna Jones are all unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason, making last night’s loss quite possibly the last time this starting lineup plays together. Say it isn’t so.

The Finals begin in New York tomorrow at 8 p.m. ET: The Libs and Lynx met three times in the regular season and the Lynx won two of those contests, meaning they’re the only squad to notch multiple victories over NY. Perhaps most importantly, these powerhouses also faced off in June’s Commissioner’s Cup Final, which Minnesota also won.

• Minny certainly has a knack for stifling the Liberty this season, but NY has more recent Finals experience. The Libs will be out to avenge last year’s championship loss, while the Lynx are making their first Finals appearance since 2017, when now retired legends Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles were running the show.

• As for the Liberty, NY is counting on this season’s breakout star, Sabrina Ionescu, to continue her dominance and work in tandem with her partner-in-dimes Jonquel Jones and two-time MVP Breanna Stewart. Let the games begin.