Sun’s Marina Mabrey provides guarantee after outstanding Game 1 against Lynx

Marina Mabrey left no doubt about her role with the Connecticut Sun after they beat the Minnesota Lynx 73-70 in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals on Sunday. Mabrey, who scored 20 points and hit six crucial 3-pointers, helped the Suns to a tough win that came down to the final seconds. Her sharp shooting and confidence were key to the Sun’s success, and she made her intentions clear after the game.

“That’s what they brought me here for,” Mabrey said, as ESPN’s Myron Medcalf reported. “So I’m going to go out and shoot the ball.”

The game featured 13 lead changes and eight ties, but Mabrey’s hot hand helped Connecticut maintain momentum. The Sun entered the semifinals as underdogs despite winning two of their three regular season games against the Lynx. However, their disciplined defense and timely shooting proved to be a recipe for success once again. The Sun held Minnesota to just 16 points in the first quarter, gaining an early lead that would keep them competitive throughout the game.

Alyssa Thomas, the Sun’s leader on both ends of the floor, nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Their all-around performance was crucial in containing Minnesota’s potent offense.

Lynx fights against the sun’s defenses

The Lynx, who have been on a hot streak since the Olympic break, struggled to get their usual offensive rhythm going against Connecticut’s defense. Minnesota star Napheesa Collier, who had a record-setting scoring streak with back-to-back games of 35-plus points in the first round, had 19 points on 7-for-19 shooting. Thomas and DeWanna Bonner led the Sun’s defensive effort and contained Collier, which was a key factor in the narrow victory.

“She will continue to attack you,” Thomas said of Collier. “She moves around a lot. There are five of them playing (on the sidelines) and it’s not easy when you’re helping people, but it was a team effort. When she came on this show she was hot, really hot. And I think we did a great job.”

While the Sun’s defense remained strong, Mabrey’s shooting provided the offensive firepower needed to keep the Lynx at bay. Her six three-pointers made a significant impact, especially in a game where both teams struggled to score efficiently as each shot was only 41% from the field. Mabrey’s performance was a reminder of why the Sun brought her.

The win is the Sun’s third against Minnesota this season and continues the trend of closely contested games between the two teams. All four meetings in 2024 have been decided by five points or less, but Connecticut has consistently found ways to stifle the Lynx when it matters most.

“They’re not an easy team,” Thomas said of the Lynx. “But we will protect them with the best. We try to make everything difficult for them.”

The Sun and Lynx play again in Minnesota on Tuesday in the second semifinal game.