Lynx return to finals with 88-77 win over Sun in Game 5 behind Collier's 27 points, 11 rebounds

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Lynx are three wins from a fifth championship, chasing a league record with an entirely different core from the previous dynasty.

Napheesa Collier is fully in charge of this group.

Collier had 27 points on 10-for-16 shooting and 11 rebounds and Courtney Williams contributed 24 points and both-ends-of-the-court energy to lead the Minnesota Lynx past the Connecticut Sun 88-77 and into the WNBA Finals for the first time in seven years on Tuesday night.

Collier, the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, added four blocks in a vintage all-around performance.

“She’s improved every season. She’s just been incredible. Every game, it’s more than scoring how she helps our team," coach Cheryl Reeve said. “When she plays like the MVP, we're tough to beat.”

As soon as the final buzzer sounded, with the arena roaring, Collier headed over to Lindsay Whalen's courtside seat and hugged the Hall of Famer and former Lynx star, who was the point guard on the first four championship teams.

“I definitely want to do her proud,” Collier said.

Kayla McBride had 10 of her 19 points in the first quarter for the Lynx, who advanced to face the top-seeded New York Liberty in Game 1 on Thursday night. The best-of-five series continues with Game 2 in New York on Sunday afternoon, before Minnesota hosts Game 3 on Oct. 16.

The Lynx, who finished second in the league and two games behind the Liberty during the regular season, have won three of four matchups with New York this year. That includes the WNBA Commissioner's Cup on June 25 to take the in-season tournament title.

DiJonai Carrington had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Brionna Jones had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Sun, who shot only 38.5% from the floor (25 for 65) and were flustered into 19 turnovers that the Lynx converted into 22 points.

“They just kind of punched us in the face, and we got shellshocked and then we couldn’t fight back,” said DeWanna Bonner, who had 14 points on 4-for-13 shooting.

The Sun were ousted in the semifinals for the fourth time in six years. They lost in the finals in those other two seasons, 2019 and 2022, when Williams was part of the core that still hasn't cleared that last hurdle to the franchise's first title.

Williams, who’s in her first year with Minnesota, was on a mission to make it there from the tip. The fiery ninth-year point guard was the catalyst on both ends of the floor, attacking the basket, pushing the pace on the break and pestering the Connecticut ball-handlers. Williams had her most points in a playoff game since 2019 and added seven assists, five rebounds and two steals.

She was 6 for 6 in the first half.

“When you start a game like that, you kind of know the hoop's feeling big, you’ve got the super green light,” Williams said. “I think that's the confidence that Cheryl gives us."

The Lynx built a lead as large as 21 points in the second quarter, six more than their biggest of any of the first four games. They had a sluggish start to the second half that was muted by the Sun’s cold shooting, before Alanna Smith swished a 3-pointer to end a 4:22 scoreless skid.

Then Williams swiped the ball away from Bonner as she drove to the basket and sped the other way for a layup and a 58-41 lead. Collier drained a 3-pointer to cap that 12-0 run.

Connecticut eliminated Minnesota here in the decisive Game 3 of the first round last season. Since winning Game 5 of the WNBA Finals in 2017 for their fourth championship in seven years, the Lynx were just 1-4 in winner-take-all games in the playoffs.

The atmosphere at Target Center matched the moment, with a raucous crowd that included Whalen, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones and two members of the state’s congressional delegation, Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Tina Smith.

Collier, who averaged 40 points in the two-game sweep of the Phoenix Mercury in the first round and had 29 points and 13 rebounds at Connecticut in Game 4, was her usual cool self with the confidence and determination of a star chasing her first championship.

“She’s just the combination of everything you want in a player, but I think the thing that makes her so special outside of the obvious skill set is she doesn’t get rushed,” Sun coach Stephanie White said. “She stays so poised, no matter what, and you can tell the rest of her team feeds off of that.”

Alyssa Thomas had a quiet seven points and six assists for the Sun, who trailed by double digits for all but 12 seconds of the final three quarters. Marina Mabrey, who came off the bench for the second straight game, hurt her ankle in the first half from an awkward step near a photographer on the baseline and was limited to 14 minutes.

“She’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around,” White said. “She tried to give it a go and just didn’t have it.”

AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) works toward the basket as Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) defends during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) shoots during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams (10) works toward the basket as Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) defends during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots over Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun guards DiJonai Carrington (21) and Veronica Burton (22) talk during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, right, shoots over Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner during the second half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx players celebrates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) celebrates with teammates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, center, celebrates with teammates after the 88-77 win against the Connecticut Sun of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White reacts after a foul called on the Sun during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington (21) works toward the basket as Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) defends during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna Smith (8) points after making a shot during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Connecticut Sun, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) reacts toward a referee during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals game against the Minnesota Lynx, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) reacts after a Connecticut Sun timeout called during the first half of Game 5 of a WNBA basketball semifinals, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

NEW YORK (AP) — Six months of success for the Philadelphia Phillies could be wiped out before the leaves start to turn.

With one more loss to the New York Mets, a 95-win regular season would become an afterthought.

“As a group this is the closest to death we’re ever going to get, so in a way, we should feel the most alive," Nick Castellanos said after Tuesday night's 7-2 loss dropped the Phillies into a 2-1 deficit in the best-of-five NL Division Series. “It’s just one more time to chill out and leave everything on the field and however the dice is going to land, it’s going to land.”

Philadelphia is one defeat from taking another step backward. Seeking their third World Series title after 1980 and 2008, the Phillies reached Game 6 of the World Series in 2022 before losing to Houston. They took a 3-2 lead over Arizona in last year’s NL Championship Series, and then dropped Games 6 and 7 at home.

Castellanos spoke in a clubhouse so quiet the showers trickling in the next room sounded like waterfalls.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson addressed the team after the final out.

“I told them it’s the most resilient club I’ve ever been around,” he recounted. “That’s what they’re all about. They’re all about toughness and fighting and playing together. That’s what we need to do and just focus on one game.”

Philadelphia fell behind 2-0 in Game 3 in New York on home runs by Pete Alonso in the second and Jesse Winker in the fourth off Aaron Nola.

Sean Manaea breezed through five innings for the Mets, but he lost his control momentarily and started the sixth with walks to Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner.

Bryce Harper struck out on three pitches.

"First pitch, changeup. I thought it was a really good pitch to hit, and then he threw me two banger sliders," Harper said.

Thomson saw it this way: “Just the situation, when he’s trying to do too much, trying to get the club — put the club on his shoulders,” the manager said.

Castellanos lined to second baseman Jose Iglesias, who flipped to shortstop Francisco Lindor to double up Schwarber for an inning-ending double play.

“He threw me a good changeup away. I stayed on and I barreled it,” Castellanos said. “A little bit to the left, a little bit to the right, first and third, run scores.”

That started a stretch in which the Phillies made six outs in 13 pitches, part of an offense hitting .204 through three playoff games against New York.

Philadelphia's evening began with promise: While Schwarber, Turner and Harper were retired in order, they all hit balls more than 106 mph.

Nola left with the bases loaded and no outs in the sixth, and Starling Marte's two-run, two-out single off Orion Kerkering opened a four-run lead. The Phillies trailed 6-0 before Harper and Castellanos hit RBI singles in the eighth.

Attention turned to Game 4 on Wednesday, when Philadelphia's Ranger Suárez starts against Jose Quintana. While Suárez is 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA in seven postseason starts and two relief appearances, he was 0-2 with an 8.25 ERA in his last three regular-season outings.

“We’re in October now so it’s a different atmosphere, a different vibe,” he said.

A leadoff homer by Schwarber in the opener is the only run in the series for Philadelphia in the first five innings. He said Thomson's message resonated.

“We have confidence in ourselves and we have confidence in this group, that this is a very talented club and that we’ve been through a lot of different things,” Schwarber said. “This is just another challenge, right? And for us, it's to come together and find a way to win a game and get back to Philadelphia.”

Game 5 would be Friday at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies' 54-27 home record topped the big leagues.

“If we’re able to come in and scrape out a win here, I know that they do not want to go back to Philly for a Game 5,” Castellanos said.

This story makes a correction in the 13th paragraph to note that Castellanos lined out to second base, not shortstop.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola is relieved by manager Rob Thomson during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner (7) connects for an RBI single against the New York Mets during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) watches play against the New York Mets from the dugout during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper (3) reacts after striking out against the New York Mets during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (27) leaves the game during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the National League baseball playoff series against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)