MINNEAPOLIS — It didn’t take long for Kayla McBride to heat up Tuesday night.
The 32-year-old guard knocked down a three-pointer with 3:06 to play in the opening quarter, and then drained a corner three on the very next possession to help the Lynx cruise into the WNBA Finals for the seventh time in franchise history.
McBride finished with 19 points, including 10 points in the opening frame, as the Lynx defeated the Connecticut Sun 88-77 in Tuesday's Game 5 at the Target Center.
Napheesa Collier led the Lynx with 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks and 4 assists, while Courtney Williams had 24 points and 7 assists.
“I think the regular season doesn’t mean anything, they are an amazing team,” said Collier, who was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. “It’s going to be a great series, great basketball. Two teams with great players competing.”
The Lynx will now tip off against the top-seeded New York Liberty on Thursday for the best-of-5 series. The first two games will be held in Brooklyn, while Game 3 and Game 4 (if necessary) will be held at the Target Center. To purchase tickets, click here.
Should the series reach Game 5, it will return to Brooklyn.
This will be the first time the Lynx have been in the finals since 2017 when they defeated the Los Angeles Sparks for their fourth title in seven years. Minnesota is 4-2 all-time in WNBA Finals series. This is the second straight year the Liberty have reached the finals after losing to the Las Vegas Aces a season ago.
DiJonai Carrington paced the Sun with 17 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals.
