WNBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun - Source: ImagnWNBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun – Source: Imagn

After struggling for nine points on 3-for-14 shooting in Game 2, Napheesa Collier found his shooting touch in Game 3. The Connecticut Sun defense, which had done an excellent job on the WNBA’s leading playoff scorer, allowed her16 first-half points. Collier added six rebounds and two assists in her first 18 minutes of action.

Collier led the way, but she had support from her teammates to give the Minnesota Lynx a 48-36 halftime lead. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams combined for 16 points, eight assists, two rebounds and two steals.

Connecticut’s defense on Napheesa Collier stepped up in the third quarter, limiting the All-Star forward to two points. A five-foot layup off a McBride assist prevented the Sun from shutting her down. Minnesota got a big lift from Williams and Bridget Carleton to take a 68-54 advantage heading into the fourth period.

Collier bounced back with eight more points in the fourth frame to make it 26 for the night. She added 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals to lead the Minnesota Lynx to a 90-81 win.

Napheesa Collier took advantage of Connecticut’s late rotations

Connecticut’s defense, the stingiest in the regular season and the first round of the playoffs, failed to live up to expectations in Game 3. The Minnesota Lynx, led by Napheesa Collier, often took advantage of the hosts’ late rotations.

In Minnesota’s 77-70 win in Game 2, Collier had a rough-shooting night, but the Lynx offense moved the ball well. The crisp passing continued on Friday with a boost from Collier regaining her shooting touch.

On too many occasions, the Sun were late in either doubling Collier or closing out shooters. Kayla McBride didn’t have an efficient night from deep but had a couple of open looks. Courtney Williams also seemed to go wherever she wanted to and often caused Connecticut to make tough decisions with her drives to the paint.

For a battle-scarred playoff team, the Connecticut Sun didn’t respond as needed in front of their home fans. Collier and Co. took advantage of their opponents’ uncharacteristic late defensive rotations.