UNCASVILLE, Conn. — On Friday morning, Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams made a bold proclamation about her trash-talking ability. “I’m up there,” she said when asked if she was the WNBA’s best chirper.
“I’m like a smooth trash talker. I don’t really get mad when I trash talk. I trash talk and I’m still smiling and happy.”
But Williams didn’t need to talk much in Game 3 against the Connecticut Sun. Her game voiced what needed to be said as Williams scored 16 points and added eight assists in the Lynx’s 90-81 victory over the Sun. Minnesota leads the series 2-1.
Of course, Williams wasn’t alone in helping the Lynx take control of the series. Four-time WNBA All-Star Napheesa Collier might not be as vocal with opponents but she was the contest’s best player. She scored a game-high 26 points — her highest mark of the series — on 11-of-19 shooting and added 11 rebounds.
The poise.
The setup.
The finish.Napheesa Collier is One of them Ones 👑
📺 Lynx-Sun on ESPN2 | #WNBAPlayoffs presented by @Google https://t.co/47PBPxZORi pic.twitter.com/0RTOlvcgCH
— WNBA (@WNBA) October 5, 2024
More than just shooting 57.4 percent from the field, its best in the last three games, Minnesota’s defense also stifled Connecticut. Despite having all five starters scoring in double figures, the Sun shot only 15 percent from 3-point range, and led just once — they scored the game’s opening basket.
“We’ve just been locked in on player personnel and just what everybody’s tendencies are,” Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman said. “Really try to make things hard on the defensive end.”
Minnesota is one victory away from advancing to its first WNBA Finals since 2017. Game 4 is Sunday.
(Photo: Paul Rutherford / Imagn Images)
