Standing one win away from a visit to the WNBA Finals, the Minnesota Lynx struck fireplace early from past the arch of their sport towards the Connecticut Solar on Sunday and appeared destined for a Recreation 4 triumph. An abysmal second-half offensive exhibiting modified the tide, nonetheless, and can sprint their championship goals if unaddressed.
Led by MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier, Minnesota concluded the 2024 common season with the WNBA’s second-best file and recorded its first 30-win season within the franchise’s storied 26-year historical past.
The Lynx’s success this season was fueled partly by their drastic uptick in success on three-point pictures. Minnesota led the league in regular-season three-point share, connecting on 38% of pictures from deep. Only a 12 months prior, the staff ranked second-to-last in staff three level share (32.5%).
Guard Bridget Carleton’s breakout 12 months performed a key function within the staff’s success on this class. Carleton made 44.4% of her three-point makes an attempt in 2024, the second-highest charge by a participant this season behind Mystics middle Stefanie Dolson.
But, within the staff’s most essential sport of the season to this point, it was Carleton who quickly turned a legal responsibility. After sinking a 24-foot three-pointer with simply over a minute remaining within the first quarter, she missed seven consecutive three-point makes an attempt.
Carleton completed the sport 2-of-11 from the sector, with each shot coming from past the three-point line.
Carleton wasn’t alone in her three-point struggles on Sunday, although. After making 9 of their 14 first-half three level makes an attempt and boasting a seven-point halftime lead, the Lynx suffered one of many worst second-half capturing collapses possible.
Of their 12 makes an attempt from the three-point line within the second half, it was solely Carleton’s jumper with 2:16 remaining within the fourth quarter that went in.