WNBA Playoff Bracket 2024: Updated Picture After Aces, Lynx Wins

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIOctober 5, 2024

Bleacher Report

The WNBA semifinals continued Friday with Game 3 of both series going down.

In the opener, Napheesa Collier posted 26 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Lynx to a 90-81 win over the host Connecticut Sun.

In the nightcap, the host Las Vegas Aces crushed the top-seeded New York Liberty 95-81 thanks largely to a 17-0 third quarter run.

Minnesota now leads Connecticut two games to one, while New York holds a 2-1 advantage over the Aces.

Here’s a quick look at how both games went down.

Lynx 90, Sun 81

Minnesota shot 57.4 percent from the field, and that ultimately proved to be the difference. Outside Collier, three other Lynx players scored in double digits, led by Courtney Williams’ 16. Williams had a fantastic game, shooting 7-of-10 and also dishing eight assists.

Connecticut found itself running uphill nearly all game. The Sun never led after going up 4-2 early on. Minnesota led 23-16 after one, 48-36 at the half and 68-54 following three quarters.

The Sun did cut into the lead a bit in the fourth, though, slashing the advantage to seven points after a DeWanna Bonner three-point play made it 86-79 with 1:20 remaining. But Williams made a clutch bucket in response to effectively put this one on ice.

Connecticut couldn’t get going offensively, notably making just 3-of-20 three-pointers. Marina Mabrey had an off-night, making just 1-of-11 threes. She’s been sensational in these playoffs, though, averaging 18.6 PPG. All five Sun players scored in double digits, led by Brionna Jones’ 21.

The Sun will look to hold off elimination when they host the Lynx on Sunday.

Aces 95, Liberty 81

A tight game turned into a rout in the third quarter as the Aces went on a 17-0 run that stretched nearly eight minutes.

Before the run, the Aces were holding a tight 56-53 lead. But that phenomenal stretch put Las Vegas up 73-53, and the defending champions cruised from there.

Jackie Young led the Aces with 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting, and Kelsey Plum added 20 points. MVP A’ja Wilson dropped a 19-point, 14-rebound double-double. Sixth Woman of the Year Tiffany Hayes also excelled off the bench with 11 points and three steals in just 16 minutes. As a team, Las Vegas shot 52.1 percent.

Breanna Stewart led the Liberty with 19 points. Jonquel Jones had 11 points in 25 minutes as foul trouble in the third quarter forced her to the bench. Sabrina Ionescu, who had averaged 27.0 PPG in her last three contests, finished with just four on 1-of-7 shooting.

Las Vegas will look to even the series at two games apiece when the team hosts Game 4 on Sunday.