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00:00:00Welcome those of you who just watched New York beat Las Vegas to take a 2-0 lead.
00:00:07In that semifinal, here we had a lot of missed shots.
00:00:13And we've missed you, audience.
00:00:15We still have 5-4, Pam Ward, Monica McNutt, and Angel Gray joining you.
00:00:19Connecticut won game 1 and you have just witnessed their first made field goal of the game.
00:00:26They had been 0-8.
00:00:28These two teams combined to miss their first 14 shots from the floor.
00:00:33Courtney Williams' first field goal made with 6.22 left to go in the first.
00:00:38Williams with the ball.
00:00:39A defensive battle, to say the least.
00:00:42They are and were, during the regular season, the two best defensive teams in the league.
00:00:49Six of Connecticut's eight misses before Jones hit that shot were in the paint.
00:00:56Maybe. She thinks, why not?
00:00:59She hit a 3, a logo 3, with the shot clock winding down in game 1.
00:01:04One of her six 3's on the night.
00:01:06Yeah, at least two of those were like, oh my goodness, can't even believe she got that to fall.
00:01:10Collier with the miss.
00:01:13Minnesota scored just 8 points in the fourth quarter of game 1.
00:01:19A 3-point loss to the Sun.
00:01:26Veronica Burton inserted into the game.
00:01:29Gets it to Thomas, but boy, that's a tough shot because Smith got over there to help.
00:01:34It was terrific help by the Lynx.
00:01:36Just tough offense by Alyssa Thomas, who is so strong.
00:01:39She's like a freight train in that painted area.
00:01:41Just when you think she's shut down, she's able to make the shot.
00:01:49Shot clock into single digits.
00:01:50Single digits, Collier.
00:01:53Guarded by Thomas, and Brie Jones came over to help.
00:01:56Carlton 3, well short.
00:01:59Had the distance just a little wide left.
00:02:02But here's the thing, and you just saw it there.
00:02:04Nafisa Collier obviously has been the centerpiece for this Minnesota Lynx squad.
00:02:09She was averaging 40 points coming into game 1.
00:02:13Connecticut, in spots, is sending the double so that she doesn't have an opportunity to score with any ease in the paint.
00:02:19She only had 19 points in game 1, which, as you mentioned, was half her average of what she had against Phoenix in the first round.
00:02:2838 and 42 point games respectively, her feet.
00:02:35Around the horn.
00:02:37Good ball movement by the Lynx, but they still can't get an open shot.
00:02:41Burton is a defensive menace.
00:02:43She's all over the place.
00:02:44Shot clock again.
00:02:46A factor.
00:02:49Great defense by the Sun.
00:02:52A little too much passing for the Lynx.
00:02:54They had a couple of different looks, and they kept playing hot potato.
00:02:58A team that is known for being unselfish, but probably to a fault on that possession.
00:03:04Carrington lost it.
00:03:08Kayla McBride, Atlanta Smith, finally gets her first 3 of the series.
00:03:15She's usually terrific from 3.
00:03:20I tell you what, both of these teams, Pam, are probably looking to do just that.
00:03:24Score in transition or secondary transition.
00:03:26Because coming down in the half-court set and grinding it out has been tedious, to say the least.
00:03:31Smith has missed her first 5 3's of the series before she hit that one.
00:03:37Carlton doing a good job on Mabry, and he just keeps hitting it.
00:03:43Take a look at the upcoming WNBA semifinal schedule.
00:03:47Friday, the tip-off at 7.30 Eastern with the Lynx taking on the Sun.
00:03:52This time in Connecticut, and then the Aces host the Liberty in Vegas.
00:03:56Both of those games on ESPN2.
00:03:58Go to WNBA.com or the WNBA app.
00:04:01For all your information, best of 5 series.
00:04:05So Vegas will be playing to stay in the playoffs.
00:04:10DB to Lana Bonner with the pick and the bucket.
00:04:14The Lynx are looking to avoid going into an 0-2 hole.
00:04:19The Liberty now up 2-0 on Vegas, and teams that take a 2-0 lead,
00:04:23Pee Weezy are 18-0 in the semifinal round.
00:04:26That's perfect, or imperfect if you're on the other side of it.
00:04:31Smith bottled up by Bonner.
00:04:33Callier's tough shot doesn't hit.
00:04:36She's just 1-for-6.
00:04:39The Sun are doing a really great job of clogging the paint.
00:04:45Got a minute left in the quarter.
00:04:47Ty Harris, great to see her back on the court.
00:04:50Got hurt early in game 1 against Indiana in the first round.
00:04:54Has not been on the court since.
00:04:58Rebound Smith.
00:05:02Ty Harris to get 10-15 minutes tonight.
00:05:05Nobody checked Lana Smith, and she made them play.
00:05:09It really feels like unless offense starts to flow,
00:05:13this one is going to be about conditioning,
00:05:15and who can find the holes in the half court set
00:05:18or find baskets in transition.
00:05:27Shot clock's in the digits yet again.
00:05:30Bonner, nowhere to go.
00:05:34Burton did not get it off in time.
00:05:36That's a couple of shot clock violations now.
00:05:38Yeah, Minnesota is doing a really good job of staying home defensively.
00:05:44They're not overhelping, and they're matching up with their assignments.
00:05:46But in the half court here, shot goes up, transition 3.
00:05:49Alana Smith just maintaining her energy.
00:05:52An easy basket, and not many have been easy in this ballgame.
00:05:56Shot clock is off now for Latisha Heidemann,
00:05:58the backup point guard to Williams.
00:06:02Collier using her body, fade away.
00:06:06What a tough shot by Collier on the baseline.
00:06:10The footwork on that.
00:06:12Latisha Collier with some magic to end the first quarter for the Lynx.
00:06:21We talked about the physicality of this one so far.
00:06:24This time Latisha Collier absorbing that physicality,
00:06:27bouncing off, using the footwork off one foot, fading away baseline.
00:06:32What a terrific touch.
00:06:34Nice finish after a slow start for both teams,
00:06:37but Minnesota and Connecticut both with their season low in points for first quarters.
00:06:43Let's go over to Angel who has three points.
00:06:46Three points were very hard to come by in this first quarter.
00:06:49What do your possessions need to look like to start the second, though?
00:06:52I think we just need more ball movement, more cutting.
00:06:55We're standing around.
00:06:56We're playing one-on-one a little bit too much.
00:06:58I think if we move the ball and we get into our actions the way we want to,
00:07:01we can get easy buckets.
00:07:02Outside of the last two buckets that the Lynx were able to score,
00:07:04you also were holding them to 17% from the field.
00:07:07What do you like about the defensive side that has to carry over?
00:07:10I think we forced them into some tough shots, but we need to keep a one-and-done.
00:07:15We gave up a few offensive rebounds.
00:07:17We keep a one-and-done, and we can push it right back at them.
00:07:19Thanks, Brie.
00:07:21Connecticut trailing by two after one quarter of play.
00:07:24Four points, four rebounds for Thomas, but everything's been tough.
00:07:30♪♪
00:07:34ESPN's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs is presented by Google Pixel,
00:07:40the only phone engineered by Google, and in part by Gatorade.
00:07:45To the WNBA playoffs where Connecticut trails Minnesota by two
00:07:48as we go to the second quarter.
00:07:50Joined by Connecticut Sun head coach Stephanie White.
00:07:52Neither team shot very well in the first quarter, Coach White.
00:07:55Was it good defense or ineffective offense?
00:07:58I think a little bit of both.
00:07:59Certainly both teams are up-pressuring, making everything difficult,
00:08:03but for us, we've got to get the ball moving.
00:08:05We've got to get moving side to side.
00:08:06We've got to stop over-dribbling.
00:08:07We've got to get some rotations.
00:08:09Coach, in terms of doing that, how important is transition to help get going
00:08:13as we see Marina Mabry knock down a three?
00:08:15It is important for us, whether that's defensive rebounding,
00:08:17I think they have five offensive rebounds,
00:08:19or being a little bit more disruptive
00:08:21and creating some offense from our defense.
00:08:23All right, Coach, thank you very much.
00:08:25So, Stephanie White, last year's coach of the year in the league.
00:08:28This year won by Gerald Reed for the fourth time.
00:08:32There's some offense to start the first quarter.
00:08:35Go to second quarter after a very anemic first quarter.
00:08:38Hamward under the midnight, and Angel Gray joining you
00:08:42from Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
00:08:46Connecticut won game one.
00:08:47Ty Harris' first shot since coming back from her injury in the first round.
00:08:56And also Zandalicini is out there, number nine in black.
00:08:59She was not available in the last game with a strained quad.
00:09:05That's good news for the Lynx.
00:09:07Coach Reed said that they missed her out there.
00:09:10Bench scoring is something that is hugely important to the success
00:09:13that Minnesota has had this season.
00:09:15And Zandalicini was a big part of that.
00:09:17Let's take a look at this call that went against Marina Mabry.
00:09:20Bridget Carlton with the aggressive attack.
00:09:22Yeah, it's across the arm.
00:09:24Got her on that arm between your elbow and your shoulder.
00:09:27So, not even, like, down by the ball and your wrist.
00:09:31Let the free throw line.
00:09:3417 points in game one, including three threes.
00:09:38She had a great year, went to Paris, played in the Olympics.
00:09:42Her team, Canada.
00:09:45Which, again, didn't matter.
00:09:48And Carlton, one of the stalwarts on that Canadian Olympic team,
00:09:53is Minnesota's up three.
00:09:54Thomas, switch by everybody.
00:09:56Man, just the slightest shift in direction with a little in and out.
00:10:01And then, of course, the explosion to the left side of the speed,
00:10:04the change of speed.
00:10:07Whiteman is still out there.
00:10:14Some contact attempt.
00:10:15Smith to the floor.
00:10:16Carol Reed was not happy that there was a no call on that.
00:10:21There's a lot of contact with these screens.
00:10:23And to each team's credit, they're setting good screens.
00:10:25But here, the slight hesitation.
00:10:27Great read by Alyssa Thomas as Atlanta Smith was going to find the right
00:10:31excitement and it just left the left side of the floor open for AT.
00:10:37It's 5 o'clock now at 5.
00:10:39Carlton pulls up.
00:10:41Nails it.
00:10:42That handle, it technically isn't a handoff.
00:10:44It's a short pass by Raisha Hines-Allen.
00:10:46But the way she used her body freed up Carlton just enough in a game that
00:10:50has been very physical in terms of all ball defense.
00:10:52Hines-Allen picked her up in a mid-season trade, late season trade,
00:10:57with the Washington Mystics has really paid off.
00:11:01She had the best plus minus of any player in game one of this series.
00:11:05And she's got a mismatch against Burton.
00:11:07But Collier couldn't get it to her.
00:11:10Now she does.
00:11:11And there's Hines-Allen.
00:11:12Raisha Hines-Allen was so candid with us about exactly that.
00:11:16Coming to a team that was already rolling, needing to pick up coverages
00:11:20in offense, but also not wanting to step on any toes.
00:11:24Lots of toughness to this Minnesota team.
00:11:28Thomas misses from the free-throw line, but is able to chase down the rebound.
00:11:39Oh, goodness gracious.
00:11:41Mabry hits the three.
00:11:43Hines-Allen thought she had been pushed to the floor before the shot.
00:11:48That's a tough back.
00:11:50Marina Mabry is a bucket hitter.
00:11:53A couple of threes now for Mabry in this quarter.
00:12:00And now a foul on Carlton.
00:12:08He's screaming, pardon me, at Isaac Barnett.
00:12:11Well, part of that back story is that is the second time in the last three
00:12:15possessions that there was action on that left side, right in front of the
00:12:19Minnesota bench, involving a screen.
00:12:22This one's going to go against the Lynx.
00:12:25But Cheryl Reeves felt like a possession ago, the caution had gone
00:12:28against the Sun.
00:12:30It's the second one on Carlton.
00:12:34Nelson-Adair bottled up on the baseline.
00:12:37It has been so physical in the paint.
00:12:40Well, and on the three-point line with those screens.
00:12:46Carlton's three.
00:12:49Those are the types of second-chance points that turn into back-breakers.
00:12:52The Lynx rising from the ashes of the confusion of the near-loose ball
00:12:55and rebound.
00:12:58Carlton has been terrific in the last dozen playoff games with Minnesota,
00:13:01over 50% from three-pointer, from three-point range, pardon me.
00:13:04Carlton has been terrific in the last dozen playoff games with Minnesota,
00:13:07over 50% from three-pointer, from three-point range, pardon me.
00:13:11Bonner draws contact, and if that's on Carlton, it's her third.
00:13:14Bonner draws contact, and if that's on Carlton, it's her third.
00:13:17Wow, three fouls for Bridget Carlton is not what you want to hear
00:13:20Wow, three fouls for Bridget Carlton is not what you want to hear
00:13:23Wow, three fouls for Bridget Carlton is not what you want to hear
00:13:26if you are the Minnesota Lynx.
00:13:29Huge.
00:13:32You see Kayla McBride get up, she's going to come in,
00:13:35and now Nafisa Collier pleads the collective case for the team.
00:13:38and now Nafisa Collier pleads the collective case for the team.
00:13:41Seven points for Carlton, including a three.
00:13:44Seven points for Carlton, including a three.
00:13:47Minnesota only played seven players.
00:13:50Both teams just played seven in game one.
00:13:53But Xander Licini and Harris, both on the floor,
00:13:56But Xander Licini and Harris, both on the floor,
00:13:59could get a little more depth for both teams tonight.
00:14:02could get a little more depth for both teams tonight.
00:14:05WNBA have rocked the vote.
00:14:07fans ready to vote, scan the QR code now to find out more.
00:14:13Carlton sits down with the three personal fouls.
00:14:20Bonner delivers at the free throw line.
00:14:23Minnesota has hit its last six shots from the floor after
00:14:27missing 15 of their first 18.
00:14:30Well, two of those involved Bridget Carlton, if my memory
00:14:32serves me right.
00:14:33At least one.
00:14:34True fact.
00:14:35Heideman rolls out.
00:14:38Carlton was so active.
00:14:39Wow.
00:14:40Sandoval.
00:14:41Well, we know that five of 20 is uncharacteristic that the
00:14:48Lynx shot in game one.
00:14:50In game two, they have found their way from behind the arc.
00:14:53They have relied on that three point shot so much this season.
00:14:59Harrington.
00:15:00All the way across court to Bonner.
00:15:04And Nelson-Odoto.
00:15:05She was going for the rebound but tipped to the ball and
00:15:09she'll take those two points.
00:15:14Etiquette cuts the lead to four.
00:15:20Zandolasini.
00:15:21Can't go back to back with the threes.
00:15:26And Harris has it knocked out of bounds.
00:15:31Time out.
00:15:32Minnesota up four.
00:15:34Minnesota only hit five threes in game one.
00:15:37So far in game two, they've already knocked down four.
00:15:40And Chechys Zandolasini has gotten in on the act.
00:15:43We got to play with more pace, all right?
00:15:45We're really sluggish right now.
00:15:47We got to push through it on both ends, all right?
00:15:52So Steph White talking about her offense.
00:15:55Needing to get things going.
00:15:57A little bit too stagnant for her taste.
00:15:59Her team picking things up after a very slow start but still
00:16:03trailing Minnesota by four.
00:16:05And there you see, that's never good, right?
00:16:07When you have almost as many turnovers as doable.
00:16:10Not ideal.
00:16:11And that sound echoes what we heard from Coach White earlier
00:16:15today after the shoot-around.
00:16:17She's like, something's not right.
00:16:19My team has a tendency to hold on to the basketball and think
00:16:22they can pass it out.
00:16:24Talk about a guy that catches passes in a big time way,
00:16:27Justin Jefferson.
00:16:28For Pam Wards, Vikings.
00:16:30Our Minnesota Vikings, y'all.
00:16:32She's unbeaten.
00:16:33Minnesota Vikings.
00:16:34Here you go with the Vikings.
00:16:36We got time.
00:16:38I'll get back to it.
00:16:40I'm sorry.
00:16:41Did I interrupt you?
00:16:43No, we're all good.
00:16:45Let's go.
00:16:48And again, the shot clock in the single digits,
00:16:52not what Steph White likes.
00:16:54Not at all.
00:16:55Avery, she's always looking to shoot.
00:16:58Wow.
00:16:59Crafty.
00:17:00I mean, we've already praised her a ton for the three-pointers,
00:17:03which she's already knocked down a couple of tonight.
00:17:05But that time, crossover dribble,
00:17:07slipping right inside the defense with the shot clock up against
00:17:09it.
00:17:10She's into double figures.
00:17:14Williams.
00:17:17Back to the rim.
00:17:18Rebound.
00:17:19Bounces around.
00:17:20Nelson Agoda couldn't hang on to it.
00:17:22So, Conyers right there.
00:17:24And then who else?
00:17:25But Marina Mabry gets in there.
00:17:27And Conyers not thrilled about that.
00:17:30And Myeshia Hindsall and Alyssa Thomas exchanging some words
00:17:36after that.
00:17:38Listen, this is playoff basketball.
00:17:41It's the semifinal round.
00:17:44I think Nafisa Collier takes exception to already being on the
00:17:48ground.
00:17:49And Marina Mabry in competitive form flies in.
00:17:58But is sort of on top of Nafisa Collier,
00:18:01which no player wants to see all that.
00:18:05And a jump ball was called.
00:18:07If the jump ball was called,
00:18:09it should be between Collier and Mabry.
00:18:11Good point.
00:18:12And Nelson Agoda.
00:18:13Trying to slip in there.
00:18:15Smart.
00:18:16I'm not mad at the attempt.
00:18:18And Mabry, that's just the kind of player she is.
00:18:21And that's the kind of player she is.
00:18:25She's like trying to.
00:18:26Smart.
00:18:27I'm not mad at the attempt.
00:18:29And Mabry, that's just the kind of player she is.
00:18:37She wins.
00:18:41The delight of the crowd here at Target Center.
00:18:44McBride draws contact.
00:18:47And will have a chance at the free throw line.
00:18:55Harrington called for the foul.
00:18:58And it sends McBride to the line.
00:19:03Obviously, this Lynx franchise.
00:19:05I shouldn't say obviously.
00:19:07We've got a ton of new fans this season.
00:19:09This Lynx franchise has quite a few championship banners in the
00:19:13rafters.
00:19:14As you take a look at the ownership.
00:19:17Glenn Taylor over there.
00:19:19And he has four championships.
00:19:21Four Minnesota championships.
00:19:24Trying to become the first to get five in this league.
00:19:28She mentioned that earlier today.
00:19:30She told her team to embrace how difficult it is.
00:19:33There's a reason people cry when they win championships.
00:19:35Because it's hard.
00:19:36And when you're done, you just are releasing all of that
00:19:39intensity.
00:19:40And so, this game has not been easy.
00:19:42We expected a great series here.
00:19:44And a three-point ball game in game one.
00:19:47We have a four-point game now.
00:19:49Let's go over to Angel Gray.
00:19:52She was telling her team, Ben, don't break.
00:19:54She felt like they needed more of that mentality.
00:19:56I asked Courtney Williams what the mindset of this team was
00:19:59coming into tonight.
00:20:00She said, be who we are.
00:20:02What does that mean?
00:20:03Move the ball.
00:20:04Self-correct.
00:20:05Play for one another.
00:20:06They felt like they didn't check those boxes in game one.
00:20:09But now, this is a team that is anchored in how they adjust and
00:20:12doing that for one another.
00:20:14They also got some good shots in game one.
00:20:17So, they had a good attitude coming into this.
00:20:20I know they're not going to miss.
00:20:21Certainly, Atlanta Smith is not going to miss as many threes as
00:20:23she did in game one.
00:20:24And she's already knocked one down tonight.
00:20:27So, it's a confident team.
00:20:29Another tie-up.
00:20:31A little less spicy this time.
00:20:33Collier has been all over the glass.
00:20:35Talk about it for the ball magnet, right?
00:20:37She's everywhere.
00:20:38Yeah.
00:20:39But before that, I thought the rebound by Isha Hines-Allen was
00:20:41really smart.
00:20:42There's not enough distance.
00:20:43You don't necessarily gear up for Hines-Allen as a three-point
00:20:45shooter.
00:20:46So, there wasn't enough distance to make that pass in to
00:20:48Collier.
00:20:49Great read and just did not finish the layup on the right
00:20:51side.
00:20:56Nelson-Odoto, that time won the tip.
00:21:03Carrington.
00:21:07Collier quickly got it over to Williams.
00:21:11Carrington is 0-3, looking for her first points of the night.
00:21:15Oh, that's too difficult for Collier.
00:21:20A little low bounce pass.
00:21:22And turnover gets it back.
00:21:24Fifth turnover for the Lynx.
00:21:26She is really working hard, though, to establish position on
00:21:29that left block.
00:21:31So, we hit three minutes to go in the half.
00:21:36Thomas, great defense by Collier, who was the defensive player of
00:21:39the year in this league.
00:21:43Timeout here with just under three minutes left to go in the
00:21:45half.
00:21:48ESPN's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs presented by Google.
00:21:53Come see you on a chilly night here in Minneapolis, Minnesota,
00:21:56down one game to none, up by four as we check out tonight's
00:21:59WNBA fits brought to you by Google.
00:22:02Let's start with Dijonay.
00:22:04I think the puppy is the best accessory.
00:22:07What a cutie pie.
00:22:09And she always brings it.
00:22:10This is very clean.
00:22:13The mini skirts, the denim skirts are having a moment all over the
00:22:16place in a variety of lengths.
00:22:19Like the fit you saw, search what you see using the Google
00:22:22app.
00:22:25Collier and company again, a dying shot clock.
00:22:28Mabry loves to shoot at the end of shot clocks.
00:22:31That one did not hit.
00:22:33And it's Connecticut basketball.
00:22:36Stephanie White was talking about picking up Marina Mabry and
00:22:41that since they have picked her up in a trade that Mabry
00:22:44actually wanted to happen, that their shot clock violations
00:22:47actually have gone down.
00:22:50But against Minnesota, it's a different story.
00:22:53This is a high level defense.
00:22:56Turnovers have been big in this series.
00:22:59And we just saw Mabry take a shot at McBride.
00:23:02After McBride made the layup.
00:23:06And a technical foul has been called on McBride.
00:23:19So McBride picks this pass by Mabry.
00:23:22There's an off arm here.
00:23:25There's a little extra contact after the layup is made.
00:23:28That's when we saw Mabry take a shot.
00:23:31All right.
00:23:34Yeah, just the extra.
00:23:37The extra.
00:23:40So the technical on McBride.
00:23:43Cheryl Rivas has not been happy with officiating so far.
00:23:46Yeah.
00:23:49Ooh.
00:23:52Oh.
00:23:55Oh.
00:23:58Ooh.
00:24:01A lot of emotions.
00:24:02A lot of competition.
00:24:03All right.
00:24:04Here we go.
00:24:05Had to get a very physical team.
00:24:07Minnesota as well.
00:24:11This Minnesota defense has been really good.
00:24:14Bonner.
00:24:16Nope.
00:24:17Williams, the smallest player on the floor,
00:24:19comes up with the rebound.
00:24:21That's her fourth of the day.
00:24:22She's been on the glass.
00:24:23She's quick.
00:24:24Crossover.
00:24:25Nice play by Carrington.
00:24:28The Lynx gave it up.
00:24:37Carrington up, under, and in.
00:24:39She finally gets her first two points after having 13 points
00:24:42and nine boards in game one.
00:24:45That move has been good to her this season.
00:24:47Read that baseline.
00:24:48Oh, you're going to get McBride going now.
00:24:53A good friend of Charlie Robinson refers to her as Kayla McBuckets.
00:24:58She's got six points.
00:25:00Gets the lead back up to five.
00:25:03Bonner, a little hesitation and then well short on the three-point shot.
00:25:08Now, she had a double-double in game one but was only four of 17 from the floor.
00:25:13Let's go back to K-Mac.
00:25:14And this is the playmaking that Cheryl Reed was talking about.
00:25:16Offense is great, but at some point you just got to make a play.
00:25:19Comes off that screen snug to the left, pulls up,
00:25:22I'm confused whether or not she should have had an opportunity to go to the free-throw line,
00:25:24but that's a big-time basket.
00:25:26McBride, the veteran, has been with this Minnesota team.
00:25:29Part of that 0-6 start last year.
00:25:31They went on to make the playoffs, and she talked about getting the right people in.
00:25:36Seems like a really harmonious team,
00:25:38and that's one thing that Cheryl Reed has talked about.
00:25:43New pieces and Williams and Smith, and everything is seamless.
00:25:49Fouled on her way to the basket.
00:25:51So, in the first quarter, we saw the Sun doing a really good job of packing in the paint.
00:25:56In the second, the Lynx have done a really good job of attacking quickly
00:25:59so that those rotations in it is less clogged up to find lanes.
00:26:02WNBA halftime presented by State Farm coming up.
00:26:05We'll look at the Liberties throwing one in Brooklyn.
00:26:08And we've got four people on the set today.
00:26:11We've got LaChyna, Drea, Carolyn, and Shanae.
00:26:15Full house.
00:26:17Who do you think would be the best three-on-three team out of that crew?
00:26:21Who's coming off the bench?
00:26:22Oh, my God.
00:26:23Drea, you can start.
00:26:27I got you, Drea.
00:26:28I'm not going to let them do you like that.
00:26:29I take Drea.
00:26:30Good two-way player.
00:26:33I'll take Peck off the bench because she's got major attitude and height.
00:26:41We've got a minute left.
00:26:42Two minutes and a half.
00:26:51Burton going to step back.
00:26:55Thomas with the rebound.
00:26:57Extra 14 seconds for the Sun.
00:26:59Zandalasini bodies up Bonner, and then Conner picked her up.
00:27:04This defense had been outstanding, but then Bonner hits the three.
00:27:11A little penetration.
00:27:12Well, post-up.
00:27:13Ball touches the paint and then gets sprayed out.
00:27:15Always a good formula for a shooter.
00:27:19Golly.
00:27:20Oh, my.
00:27:21No contact.
00:27:22Let it go.
00:27:23Two on two.
00:27:24Mabry says, I'll take a three.
00:27:26Rebound by Bonner.
00:27:29Terrific defense by Conner.
00:27:32And the ball goes over to the Lynx.
00:27:40The defensive element of both of these teams are shining in the course of this ball game.
00:27:46Connecticut shooting just 29% from the floor.
00:27:50Minnesota at 39.
00:27:55Half coming to a close.
00:27:57They need a shot.
00:27:58Hines-Allen.
00:27:59Yes!
00:28:00At the buzzer.
00:28:03Mylesha Hines-Allen.
00:28:06Not who you would expect to take a shot.
00:28:10And she made it.
00:28:11She's got championship experience having won with the Mystics.
00:28:15Her physicality, her toughness is what the Lynx wanted to add here.
00:28:19Time and score like no other.
00:28:21The little kiss off the bank.
00:28:23What a finish.
00:28:26On the bench with those three personal fouls, but her teammates keeping it up.
00:28:31They lead by three at the half.
00:28:35Coming up after the break.
00:28:38It's the State Farm Halftime Report with Chyna Robinson, Andrea Carter,
00:28:42Carolyn Packman, Chanae Aglumake, and the Lynx with the lead.
00:28:50Let's execute right here.
00:28:52Make a run.
00:28:53These last three minutes.
00:28:54Come on.
00:29:01Welcome back to ESPN's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs
00:29:05presented by Google.
00:29:07Game two of the best of five semifinals coming from Minneapolis.
00:29:11The Lynx fell in game one, and they are up by six at the half here
00:29:17as we take a look at the stats.
00:29:19Monica McKnight.
00:29:20Well, the field goal shooting and the three-point shooting,
00:29:22it tells the story in which leans to the favor of the Minnesota Lynx.
00:29:25Free throws are interesting because in game one,
00:29:27the Sun just saw three free throws.
00:29:31And then second chance at bench points are huge
00:29:34because the Minnesota Lynx averaged 18 bench points per game this season.
00:29:38Did not get to that number in the game one.
00:29:40With Xander Licini back in, they've been much better here.
00:29:43And then second chance points, counterpoint,
00:29:45Connecticut averages about 11.
00:29:46They've already got 12 in this ballgame.
00:29:48That's Monica McKnight.
00:29:49I'm Pam Ford.
00:29:50Angel Gray is with us as well.
00:29:53Nafisa Collier did not take a single shot in the second quarter.
00:29:57That is a glaring miss.
00:30:02We're going to talk to Cheryl Reeve, the head coach for the Minnesota Lynx.
00:30:06So, Coach, what would you like to see here to start things off in the third quarter?
00:30:10For you to get more shots than zero.
00:30:13We'd like to get a few more shots for our best player.
00:30:16What have you thought about the flow of this game, Coach Reeve?
00:30:19I think it's not been very managed well from an appreciating standpoint.
00:30:23Made it pretty chaotic and physical.
00:30:26I think that's unfortunate.
00:30:27Hopefully they'll clean it up.
00:30:28All right.
00:30:29Thank you so much, Coach Reeve.
00:30:30Only nine fouls were called in the first half.
00:30:32Even with all of the physicality, this is the biggest lead of the game for Minnesota.
00:30:37With Courtney Williams bucket, we have not had either team have a double digit lead in this series.
00:30:44Now a game and a half in.
00:30:46Minnesota lost game one by three on Sunday.
00:30:50Trying to get a split before they head east off the wall.
00:30:55The officials tonight, Isaac Barnett, Tim Green, and Gina Cross.
00:31:00Hannah McBride just called for a technical foul in the second quarter.
00:31:04We've seen some held balls, some jump balls, some chippiness.
00:31:09And right now, after a very slow start offensively for first teams in the first quarter,
00:31:14Minnesota with the eight-point cushion.
00:31:19Completely think that was a fair observation by Coach Reeve.
00:31:22This is the sort of flow that I'm thinking of in terms of her team moving and executing with more power.
00:31:27And even though that shot doesn't fall for Nafisa Kalir, that was good ball movement, good action to move the defense.
00:31:33Her first shot since the first quarter.
00:31:35Let's go over to Angel Gray.
00:31:36Well, as far as the adjustments from Steph White, she told me that outside of making a bucket,
00:31:40which they could not do in the first half, she said we're not handling the league's physicality.
00:31:44She felt like her players were allowing themselves to be denied in denial in the passing lanes as well.
00:31:50She said we have not shown the discipline that they need on the offensive end.
00:31:54She said setting up screens looks different in the first half.
00:31:56That has to change in the second.
00:31:58She said you have to slow down so we can speed up the level of our execution.
00:32:03That's not going to make it any better.
00:32:05That's a great report, Angel.
00:32:06And the Lynx last two possessions, I know you were talking about the sun,
00:32:10but were exact demonstrations of that.
00:32:12Slowing down so that you could speed up when it matters, Lynx lead.
00:32:20Collier with five points, eighth rebound so far.
00:32:23Her team has opened up a double-digit lead.
00:32:25I love the execution of this last play here.
00:32:27Ball goes inside.
00:32:29Unselfish.
00:32:30Yasmin Fizikala didn't take a shot in the second quarter, but unselfish in not forcing it.
00:32:33Makes the right pass, and the Lynx are able to get a three.
00:32:37This is what Coach Reeve is talking about in terms of her group,
00:32:41understanding who they are and being able to play in a way that is true to themselves
00:32:45and not feeling like they have to beat anybody else.
00:32:48That was the third assist of the game for Collier,
00:32:51who finished second in MVP voting to Asia Wilson,
00:32:54who was the unanimous winner this year.
00:32:59Come on.
00:33:00Connecticut, their offense has been missing in action tonight.
00:33:05Avery into Thomas, who's been really quiet.
00:33:09Carrington passed up the three for the top two.
00:33:14They've now missed seven of their last eight shots from the floor.
00:33:18McBride.
00:33:21She's keeping her dribble alive, finding the open lanes.
00:33:30Connecticut has not scored in this quarter.
00:33:36Carrington finally gets them on the board.
00:33:39Just her second basket of the night.
00:33:41Wow, a jump stop for a 3,000.
00:33:43Haven't seen that in a while.
00:33:44What was that?
00:33:45She had Atlanta Smith closing in.
00:33:51Courtney Williams was fired trying to get it back to Smith.
00:33:56Now Carrington with a little bit of room.
00:33:58That's a chancy pass all the way across court,
00:34:01and Marina Mabry was standing on the sideline.
00:34:05It's another Connecticut journal.
00:34:06Really good hustle by Courtney Williams, a near steal,
00:34:09and ultimately the hustle gets rewarded.
00:34:13Well, if you're the Connecticut Sun,
00:34:14we heard a lot of sound from Coach Steph White in that first half
00:34:17about fighting through it.
00:34:18This is the ultimate fight through at this moment
00:34:20as you're looking at an 11-point deficit.
00:34:23You've got to find some rhythm on the defensive end,
00:34:25communicate, and get stops.
00:34:28She's okay with her squad switching unless it's a smaller guard in the lineup,
00:34:31but this entire lineup probably can switch.
00:34:34A couple of possessions in a row now,
00:34:36some chancy passes by the Lynx that have not delivered.
00:34:40In Connecticut, their identity certainly has been on defense.
00:34:45They can go into a little bit of scoring droughts.
00:34:48They're eighth in the league in points per game,
00:34:52first in the league in getting up the fewest points per game.
00:34:55Minnesota was right behind them.
00:34:57They've got to get that offense rolling somehow
00:34:59against a great defense.
00:35:03Thomas getting the ball far away from the basket in this game.
00:35:07Shot clock again dying.
00:35:09Mabry back in a bit.
00:35:11Really good defense by Bridget Carlton just to stay attached to Mabry.
00:35:16McBride blocked by Carrington.
00:35:21A little too cool for school on that one was Kayla McBride.
00:35:26Liana Jones has had all kinds of trouble getting her shots off in this series
00:35:31with Alyssa Thomas there to save the day.
00:35:35Alyssa Thomas, her size and strength at an advantage
00:35:38over the smaller Courtney Williams.
00:35:42Thomas drawing the defensive assignment on Collier.
00:35:46Great matchup.
00:35:48He? Nope.
00:35:51Collier has shot under 30% today when Alyssa Thomas
00:35:55or Dewana Bonner have been her primary defenders.
00:35:58She's two of nine from the floor for Collier, does have eight rebounds.
00:36:05Dewana Bonner decided to test the need of the Minnesota defense
00:36:11and she drew a foul.
00:36:15This is a tough call against Atlanta Smith.
00:36:18I thought she was in great position and remains vertical.
00:36:25She had five blocks.
00:36:27That was a playoff career high in game one
00:36:29and she thought she had another one there.
00:36:35Friday night we have a doubleheader.
00:36:38The WNBA semifinals continue.
00:36:41The Lynx will be in Connecticut at 7.30 Eastern time.
00:36:44Follow that with the Aces hosting the Liberty in Vegas
00:36:47in a must-win situation for them.
00:36:50For more on these games, go to WNBA.com or the WNBA app.
00:36:56Collier rolling the basket, somehow was able to rescue it.
00:37:00And Carlton with the nice step through.
00:37:03Wow, the footwork.
00:37:05Awesome footwork.
00:37:07Finishing with the left hand on the left side
00:37:09because she had to manipulate her body around the defender.
00:37:12Beautiful ball movement again by the Lynx.
00:37:14Remember, they led the league in assists as a team.
00:37:1723 per game on average.
00:37:21Which limited to just 14 minutes in the first half
00:37:24before she picked up three fouls,
00:37:26got her pocket picked by Bonner, who takes it in for two.
00:37:29The length of DeJuana Bonner should never, ever be slept on
00:37:33at 6'4", with a tremendous wingspan and great quickness.
00:37:37The Lynx will be in Connecticut at 7.30 Eastern time.
00:37:40Follow that with the Aces hosting the Liberty in Vegas
00:37:43in a must-win situation for them.
00:37:46For more on these games, go to WNBA.com or the WNBA app.
00:37:50Here's her fourth steal of the night.
00:37:52Some contact out on the perimeter.
00:38:00Carlton with the catch in the sweep.
00:38:03A little bit of off-foot work,
00:38:05but turns her body to avoid the contact and get the finish.
00:38:09Carlton playing with so much more confidence.
00:38:12Kayla McBride talked about that, got a lot of DNPs last year
00:38:15and just kept working at it
00:38:17and now has been a very effective starter.
00:38:20The personality of this Minnesota team,
00:38:22for many of these players,
00:38:24has been to have to go get it out the mud
00:38:26and finally Nafisa Collier gets another field goal to fall.
00:38:30Sweet turnaround that is almost impossible to defend.
00:38:40Burton in the game.
00:38:44Shot clock again in single digits.
00:38:46This has been the theme of the night for the Sun,
00:38:49but Thomas is able to get it from Bonner and convert.
00:38:52The backdoor, almost a backdoor,
00:38:54sort of works with the dribble motion toward Thomas
00:38:58as she cuts hard.
00:39:00Oh, goodness.
00:39:02Contact underneath and they're going to get Burton
00:39:04for the foul on Collier.
00:39:08The last two possessions,
00:39:10Collier has found herself being defended by guards
00:39:13and she has made the most out of it, but this is great.
00:39:15Dribble penetration toward the act.
00:39:17Alyssa Thomas, not a full-on backdoor,
00:39:19but enough motion toward her
00:39:21that the defense falls asleep for a second
00:39:23and Thomas cuts hard.
00:39:25Thomas, the third Sun player in double figures.
00:39:29Every Minnesota player that has hit the floor
00:39:33has scored tonight.
00:39:35Thomas fouls Williams.
00:39:39And AT picks up a couple of quick ones.
00:39:43Nice conversation with Courtney Williams
00:39:45who is just kind of bubbly, right?
00:39:47She's just so happy and in a good mood.
00:39:49She talks about her kill spot on the floor
00:39:53and we said, what's your kill spot?
00:39:55She said, what, anywhere about a foot inside the 3.1.
00:39:59That's her kill spot.
00:40:01She's confident.
00:40:03And she does have one of the most lethal mid-ranges
00:40:05certainly in the game and a true jump shot she can elevate.
00:40:07But it's her combination of quickness
00:40:09and her ability to get up off the floor quickly
00:40:11and explode into that jumper
00:40:13that makes that mid-range jumper so hard to guard
00:40:15going left or right.
00:40:17Very special.
00:40:19Minnesota, her fifth team,
00:40:21including three stints in Connecticut.
00:40:23Was in Chicago last year.
00:40:29Carrington decided to take it right at Carlton.
00:40:31Pulled in.
00:40:33Nothing called.
00:40:35And Carlton is under the basket, shaken up.
00:40:37Wow.
00:40:39This is the physicality of this one.
00:40:41There's that jump shot we just talked about.
00:40:43Going left or right.
00:40:51Carlton appears to be all right.
00:40:55Burton wants her footing for a sec.
00:41:01Thomas able to catch it
00:41:03but then threw it towards Sheridan.
00:41:05Takes another opportunity to talk to Isaac Barnett,
00:41:07our lead official tonight.
00:41:09That's been an ongoing conversation.
00:41:11Yes.
00:41:13I would pass on being a fly on the wall on that one.
00:41:15Yeah.
00:41:17Not without a mute button.
00:41:19Katie Smith, you got a quick shot of her there.
00:41:21Great stack.
00:41:23Rebecca Brunson.
00:41:25Lane Powell.
00:41:27There you go.
00:41:29You talked up.
00:41:31What have you done?
00:41:33Kill spots, Pamela.
00:41:35What have you done?
00:41:37Kill spot.
00:41:39Courtney Williams is activated.
00:41:41Three consecutive baskets.
00:41:43Williams now with 11.
00:41:49Connecticut continues
00:41:51to slog through
00:41:53on their offensive end.
00:41:55While Durant-O'Banner is terrific.
00:41:57Has played a ton of playoff games.
00:41:59To me, that's a basket that you settle for.
00:42:01That's a foul on Mabry.
00:42:03And the fans,
00:42:05a standing ovation for that call.
00:42:07A very facetious standing O.
00:42:09Yeah.
00:42:11And of course, Courtney and Marina were teammates
00:42:13in Chicago.
00:42:19And neither one of them is going to back down.
00:42:21No, lots of personality there.
00:42:23Lots of trash talk to go around.
00:42:25And a piece of cauldron stepped in
00:42:27to tell Courtney to go get the ball.
00:42:32Williams guarded by Mabry.
00:42:34Now on the switch, there's Bonner.
00:42:36He got a piece of her.
00:42:44Missed the first on Bonner.
00:42:52Courtney Williams has scored the last
00:42:54seven points for Minnesota.
00:42:56And she has a chance
00:42:58at the free throw line.
00:43:01Our colleague at
00:43:03Anscape, Sean Hurd,
00:43:05wrote a terrific profile on Courtney Williams.
00:43:07Just chronically
00:43:09chronicling
00:43:11her journey in the WNBA.
00:43:13Even from South Florida,
00:43:15where she was terrific in the AAC.
00:43:19To being a lead guard.
00:43:21Because she still bristles at the idea
00:43:23of point guard.
00:43:26When she got into being a point guard,
00:43:28she said, well, I really haven't yet.
00:43:30But she certainly has accepted it
00:43:32and has excelled at it.
00:43:34And gave Minnesota some much needed
00:43:36athleticism and quickness out there
00:43:38on the perimeter.
00:43:40There's another foul.
00:43:42This one on Hines-Allen, her first.
00:43:45Just over two minutes to go
00:43:47in the third quarter.
00:43:49Thomas, a little hesitation
00:43:51and then the spin.
00:43:53Contact and a shot.
00:43:55That's another foul.
00:43:57That's another foul.
00:44:11For Queensborough,
00:44:13Foul on Hines-Allen.
00:44:17He took two very quick ones.
00:44:21The Sun wanted that to be on the shot.
00:44:23It looks like it's been called on the floor.
00:44:27Defense. Good sign there.
00:44:31Oh. Boy, did they need that.
00:44:33Yeah. Terrific execution by the Sun.
00:44:37Honor with the three.
00:44:41Collier getting it out before Connecticut could tie it up.
00:44:47Collier for three. Short.
00:44:50Hines-Allen.
00:44:52Ports it. Banks it.
00:44:56Man. My, oh, my.
00:45:00Maisha Hines-Allen.
00:45:0313-point advantage for the Lynx.
00:45:05Count it.
00:45:07Mabry was held on the way to the basket.
00:45:09Back from Thomas.
00:45:16Second chance opportunities.
00:45:17Maisha Hines-Allen just strength in the paint.
00:45:27Williams gets a well-deserved round of applause as she leaves.
00:45:33And Mabry gets cheered for this free throw.
00:45:36I think she's public enemy number one right now in this
00:45:38program for the Lynx fans.
00:45:40Don't worry.
00:45:41This series will shift to Aucasville soon.
00:45:48Heidemann back into the game.
00:45:51Zanellissini.
00:45:52They need a shot.
00:45:54Heidemann says, I'll take it.
00:45:56Just off the back rim.
00:46:03I haven't quite gotten to the point where they're doing Mabry
00:46:05every time she's gotten the ball yet.
00:46:07No, it's just been a good competitive game.
00:46:10A physical competitive game.
00:46:12We expected this in this series.
00:46:14Collier just blocked Thomas.
00:46:17Picked it up.
00:46:18Got it out.
00:46:19Carrington.
00:46:20Air.
00:46:22Minnesota basketball.
00:46:26That is another shot clock violation for Minnesota,
00:46:30which is literally the perfect example of what coach White told
00:46:34us earlier in the game.
00:46:35Late in the shot clock does not serve this team well.
00:46:37On the flip side, though, we've talked a lot about bench
00:46:40productivity for the Lynx and the bench mob,
00:46:42as they call themselves.
00:46:43Maisha Hines-Allen, Latisha Heidemann,
00:46:45Chucky Zanellissini, they've done a really good job of holding
00:46:48the line defensively in this last two and a half minutes or
00:46:51so.
00:46:52Hines-Allen has been so good since coming over from
00:46:55Washington.
00:46:58Turnover.
00:46:59Shot clock is off to the sun.
00:47:06Thomas directs traffic.
00:47:08Bonner is not on the court.
00:47:10So it's up to 18.
00:47:13Shot and she got it.
00:47:15Alyssa Thomas puts it in to end the third quarter.
00:47:23Just for good measure.
00:47:25Let's let Maisha Hines-Allen know about it.
00:47:28These two got to be in your competition for strongest
00:47:31players in the league.
00:47:32This is great defense but just tough offense.
00:47:34A tough basket by 18.
00:47:37Courtney Williams had a heck of a third quarter.
00:47:39Here she is with Angel.
00:47:40Courtney, you're leading your team right now with 13 points.
00:47:43You're getting to your kill spot,
00:47:44as you told us earlier.
00:47:45What are you liking about your flow and how the team is
00:47:47feeding off of that?
00:47:48I think, like you said, I'm just getting to my spot.
00:47:51Got my shot going in now.
00:47:52So, you know, but obviously we got to be better on defense,
00:47:55man.
00:47:56We got to get that extra energy when we got the momentum.
00:47:58You told me earlier that the mindset coming into this game
00:48:01was be us.
00:48:02How is that applied in the third quarter and how do you have to
00:48:04have that to finish?
00:48:05Yeah, I mean, like you see, playing hard defense,
00:48:07getting out of transition and, you know, making plays.
00:48:10Thanks, Courtney.
00:48:11Courtney Williams certainly bringing the enthusiasm and also
00:48:17finishing.
00:48:19Her team is up as we head to the fourth quarter.
00:48:23You are watching ESPN's coverage of the 2024 WNBA playoffs
00:48:29presented by Google.
00:48:32In Minneapolis, where Minnesota is trying to even up this
00:48:35series.
00:48:36That's the five semifinal as we look at what fans have been
00:48:39searching for brought to you by Google.
00:48:42And why not?
00:48:43Courtney Williams certainly a big topic of conversation.
00:48:47Searches for Courtney up 250% in the U.S.
00:48:51Listen, she's that type of player.
00:48:53Shout out to Aunt Myers Drysdale.
00:48:55She's a playoff player.
00:48:57Right?
00:48:58Courtney Williams is putting on her best basketball.
00:49:00But I think it's the confidence that she sort of infuses into
00:49:03this link squad.
00:49:04She does things that no one else on our team can do.
00:49:07Heinz Allen fouled as we start off this fourth quarter.
00:49:10Pam Wold, Monica McNutt and Angel Gray joining you from
00:49:13Minneapolis, Connecticut.
00:49:14The only road team to win a playoff game so far in the
00:49:192024 playoffs.
00:49:20But they find themselves down here by nine.
00:49:23Yeah.
00:49:24The links are 18 and five at home this season.
00:49:28So this is a tough place to play if you're an opponent.
00:49:33Of those losses, one of them was here to Connecticut during the
00:49:37regular season.
00:49:38Connecticut in the last seven.
00:49:40Pardon me.
00:49:41One of the last seven games they played here, including playoff
00:49:44games.
00:49:45So they have had the links number at Target Center.
00:49:48We were here for one of those matches last year.
00:49:51We were here.
00:49:52Okay.
00:49:53We were.
00:49:54I promise.
00:49:55Thomas.
00:49:56A little bounce.
00:49:57Well short.
00:49:58And Alyssa Thomas has played every second of this game.
00:50:02The only two players who have not been subbed out for.
00:50:10McBride.
00:50:11Long three over Thomas.
00:50:12Not too long.
00:50:13Just right.
00:50:14McBride's first three of the game.
00:50:16Harrington turns the corner.
00:50:18And Thomas.
00:50:20And got fouled.
00:50:21As Xander was seen.
00:50:22Hit the deck.
00:50:23This is a tough game.
00:50:24This is a tough game.
00:50:25This is a tough game.
00:50:26This is a tough game.
00:50:27This is a tough game.
00:50:28This is a tough game.
00:50:29This is a tough game.
00:50:30This is a tough game.
00:50:31This is a tough game.
00:50:32This is a tough game.
00:50:33This is a tough game.
00:50:34This is a tough game.
00:50:35This is a tough game.
00:50:36This is a tough game.
00:50:37This is a tough game.
00:50:38This is a tough game.
00:50:39This is a tough game.
00:50:40This is a tough game.
00:50:41This is a tough game.
00:50:42This is a tough game.
00:50:43This is a tough game.
00:50:44This is a tough game.
00:50:45This is a tough game.
00:50:46This is a tough game.
00:50:47This is a tough game.
00:50:49This is a tough game.
00:50:50This is a tough game.
00:50:51This is a tough game.
00:50:52This is a tough game.
00:50:53This is a tough game.
00:50:54This is a tough game.
00:50:55This is a tough game.
00:50:56This is a tough game.
00:50:57This is a tough game.
00:50:58This is a tough game.
00:50:59This is a tough game.
00:51:00This is a tough game.
00:51:01This is a tough game.
00:51:02This is a tough game.
00:51:03This is a tough game.
00:51:04This is a tough game.
00:51:05This is a tough game.
00:51:06This is a tough game.
00:51:07This is a tough game.
00:51:08This is a tough game.
00:51:09This is a tough game.
00:51:10This is a tough game.
00:51:11This is a tough game.
00:51:12This is a tough game.
00:51:13This is a tough game.
00:51:14This is a tough game.
00:51:15This is a tough game.
00:51:16This is a tough game.
00:51:17This is a tough game.
00:51:18This is a tough game.
00:51:19This is a tough game.
00:51:20This is a tough game.
00:51:21This is a tough game.
00:51:22This is a tough game.
00:51:23This is a tough game.
00:51:24This is a tough game.
00:51:25This is a tough game.
00:51:26This is a tough game.
00:51:27This is a tough game.
00:51:28This is a tough game.
00:51:29This is a tough game.
00:51:30This is a tough game.
00:51:31This is a tough game.
00:51:32This is a tough game.
00:51:33This is a tough game.
00:51:34This is a tough game.
00:51:35This is a tough game.
00:51:36This is a tough game.
00:51:37This is a tough game.
00:51:38This is a tough game.
00:51:39This is a tough game.
00:51:40This is a tough game.
00:51:41This is a tough game.
00:51:42This is a tough game.
00:51:43This is a tough game.
00:51:44This is a tough game.
00:51:45This is a tough game.
00:51:46This is a tough game.
00:51:47This is a tough game.
00:51:48This is a tough game.
00:51:49This is a tough game.
00:51:50This is a tough game.
00:51:51This is a tough game.
00:51:52This is a tough game.
00:51:53This is a tough game.
00:51:54This is a tough game.
00:51:55This is a tough game.
00:51:56This is a tough game.
00:51:57This is a tough game.
00:51:58This is a tough game.
00:51:59This is a tough game.
00:52:00This is a tough game.
00:52:01This is a tough game.
00:52:02This is a tough game.
00:52:03This is a tough game.
00:52:04This is a tough game.
00:52:05This is a tough game.
00:52:06This is a tough game.
00:52:07This is a tough game.
00:52:08This is a tough game.
00:52:09This is a tough game.
00:52:10This is a tough game.
00:52:11This is a tough game.
00:52:12This is a tough game.
00:52:13This is a tough game.
00:52:14This is a tough game.
00:52:15This is a tough game.
00:52:16This is a tough game.
00:52:17This is a tough game.
00:52:18This is a tough game.
00:52:19This is a tough game.
00:52:20This is a tough game.
00:52:21This is a tough game.
00:52:22This is a tough game.
00:52:23This is a tough game.
00:52:24This is a tough game.
00:52:25This is a tough game.
00:52:26This is a tough game.
00:52:27This is a tough game.
00:52:28This is a tough game.
00:52:29This is a tough game.
00:52:30This is a tough game.
00:52:31This is a tough game.
00:52:32This is a tough game.
00:52:33This is a tough game.
00:52:34This is a tough game.
00:52:35This is a tough game.
00:52:36This is a tough game.
00:52:37This is a tough game.
00:52:38This is a tough game.
00:52:39This is a tough game.
00:52:40This is a tough game.
00:52:41This is a tough game.
00:52:42This is a tough game.
00:52:43This is a tough game.
00:52:44This is a tough game.
00:52:45This is a tough game.
00:52:46This is a tough game.
00:52:47This is a tough game.
00:52:48This is a tough game.
00:52:49This is a tough game.
00:52:50This is a tough game.
00:52:51This is a tough game.
00:52:52This is a tough game.
00:52:53This is a tough game.
00:52:54This is a tough game.
00:52:55This is a tough game.
00:52:56This is a tough game.
00:52:57This is a tough game.
00:52:58This is a tough game.
00:52:59This is a tough game.
00:53:00This is a tough game.
00:53:01This is a tough game.
00:53:02This is a tough game.
00:53:03This is a tough game.
00:53:04This is a tough game.
00:53:05This is a tough game.
00:53:06This is a tough game.
00:53:07This is a tough game.
00:53:08This is a tough game.
00:53:09This is a tough game.
00:53:10This is a tough game.
00:53:11This is a tough game.
00:53:12This is a tough game.
00:53:13This is a tough game.
00:53:14This is a tough game.
00:53:15This is a tough game.
00:53:16This is a tough game.
00:53:17This is a tough game.
00:53:18This is a tough game.
00:53:19This is a tough game.
00:53:20This is a tough game.
00:53:21This is a tough game.
00:53:22This is a tough game.
00:53:23This is a tough game.
00:53:24This is a tough game.
00:53:25This is a tough game.
00:53:26This is a tough game.
00:53:27This is a tough game.
00:53:28This is a tough game.
00:53:29This is a tough game.
00:53:30This is a tough game.
00:53:31This is a tough game.
00:53:32This is a tough game.
00:53:33This is a tough game.
00:53:34This is a tough game.
00:53:35This is a tough game.
00:53:36This is a tough game.
00:53:37This is a tough game.
00:53:38This is a tough game.
00:53:39This is a tough game.
00:53:40This is a tough game.
00:53:41This is a tough game.
00:53:42This is a tough game.
00:53:43This is a tough game.
00:53:44This is a tough game.
00:53:45This is a tough game.
00:53:46This is a tough game.
00:53:47This is a tough game.
00:53:48This is a tough game.
00:53:49This is a tough game.
00:53:50This is a tough game.
00:53:51This is a tough game.
00:53:52This is a tough game.
00:53:53This is a tough game.
00:53:54This is a tough game.
00:53:55This is a tough game.
00:53:56This is a tough game.
00:53:57This is a tough game.
00:53:58This is a tough game.
00:53:59This is a tough game.
00:54:00This is a tough game.
00:54:01This is a tough game.
00:54:02This is a tough game.
00:54:03This is a tough game.
00:54:04This is a tough game.
00:54:05This is a tough game.
00:54:06This is a tough game.
00:54:07This is a tough game.
00:54:08This is a tough game.
00:54:09This is a tough game.
00:54:10This is a tough game.
00:54:11This is a tough game.
00:54:12This is a tough game.
00:54:13This is a tough game.
00:54:14This is a tough game.
00:54:15This is a tough game.
00:54:16This is a tough game.
00:54:17This is a tough game.
00:54:18This is a tough game.
00:54:19This is a tough game.
00:54:20This is a tough game.
00:54:21This is a tough game.
00:54:22This is a tough game.
00:54:23This is a tough game.
00:54:24This is a tough game.
00:54:25This is a tough game.
00:54:26This is a tough game.
00:54:27This is a tough game.
00:54:28This is a tough game.
00:54:29This is a tough game.
00:54:30This is a tough game.
00:54:31This is a tough game.
00:54:32This is a tough game.
00:54:33This is a tough game.
00:54:34This is a tough game.
00:54:35This is a tough game.
00:54:36This is a tough game.
00:54:37This is a tough game.
00:54:38This is a tough game.
00:54:39This is a tough game.
00:54:40This is a tough game.
00:54:41This is a tough game.
00:54:42This is a tough game.
00:54:43This is a tough game.
00:54:44This is a tough game.
00:54:45This is a tough game.
00:54:46This is a tough game.
00:54:47This is a tough game.
00:54:48This is a tough game.
00:54:49This is a tough game.
00:54:50This is a tough game.
00:54:51This is a tough game.
00:54:52This is a tough game.
00:54:53This is a tough game.
00:54:54This is a tough game.
00:54:55This is a tough game.
00:54:56This is a tough game.
00:54:57This is a tough game.
00:54:58This is a tough game.
00:54:59This is a tough game.
00:55:00This is a tough game.
00:55:01This is a tough game.
00:55:02This is a tough game.
00:55:03This is a tough game.
00:55:04This is a tough game.
00:55:05This is a tough game.
00:55:06This is a tough game.
00:55:07This is a tough game.
00:55:08This is a tough game.
00:55:09This is a tough game.
00:55:10This is a tough game.
00:55:11This is a tough game.
00:55:12This is a tough game.
00:55:13This is a tough game.
00:55:14This is a tough game.
00:55:15This is a tough game.
00:55:16This is a tough game.
00:55:17This is a tough game.
00:55:18This is a tough game.
00:55:19This is a tough game.
00:55:20This is a tough game.
00:55:21This is a tough game.
00:55:22This is a tough game.
00:55:23This is a tough game.
00:55:24This is a tough game.
00:55:25This is a tough game.
00:55:26This is a tough game.
00:55:27This is a tough game.
00:55:28This is a tough game.
00:55:29This is a tough game.
00:55:30This is a tough game.
00:55:31This is a tough game.
00:55:32This is a tough game.
00:55:33This is a tough game.
00:55:34This is a tough game.
00:55:35This is a tough game.
00:55:36This is a tough game.
00:55:37This is a tough game.
00:55:38This is a tough game.
00:55:39This is a tough game.
00:55:40This is a tough game.
00:55:41This is a tough game.
00:55:42This is a tough game.
00:55:43This is a tough game.
00:55:44This is a tough game.
00:55:45This is a tough game.
00:55:46This is a tough game.
00:55:47This is a tough game.
00:55:48This is a tough game.
00:55:49This is a tough game.
00:55:50This is a tough game.
00:55:51This is a tough game.
00:55:52This is a tough game.
00:55:53This is a tough game.
00:55:54This is a tough game.
00:55:55This is a tough game.
00:55:56This is a tough game.
00:55:57This is a tough game.
00:55:58This is a tough game.
00:55:59This is a tough game.
00:56:00This is a tough game.
00:56:01This is a tough game.
00:56:02This is a tough game.
00:56:03This is a tough game.
00:56:04This is a tough game.
00:56:05This is a tough game.
00:56:06This is a tough game.
00:56:07This is a tough game.
00:56:08This is a tough game.
00:56:09This is a tough game.
00:56:10This is a tough game.
00:56:11This is a tough game.
00:56:12This is a tough game.
00:56:13This is a tough game.
00:56:14This is a tough game.
00:56:15This is a tough game.
00:56:16This is a tough game.
00:56:17This is a tough game.
00:56:18This is a tough game.
00:56:19This is a tough game.
00:56:20This is a tough game.
00:56:21This is a tough game.
00:56:22This is a tough game.
00:56:23This is a tough game.
00:56:24This is a tough game.
00:56:25This is a tough game.
00:56:26This is a tough game.
00:56:27This is a tough game.
00:56:28This is a tough game.
00:56:29This is a tough game.
00:56:30This is a tough game.
00:56:31This is a tough game.
00:56:32This is a tough game.
00:56:33This is a tough game.
00:56:34This is a tough game.
00:56:35This is a tough game.
00:56:36This is a tough game.
00:56:37This is a tough game.
00:56:38This is a tough game.
00:56:39This is a tough game.
00:56:40This is a tough game.
00:56:41This is a tough game.
00:56:42This is a tough game.
00:56:43This is a tough game.
00:56:44This is a tough game.
00:56:45This is a tough game.
00:56:46This is a tough game.
00:56:47This is a tough game.
00:56:48This is a tough game.
00:56:49This is a tough game.
00:56:50This is a tough game.
00:56:51This is a tough game.
00:56:52This is a tough game.
00:56:53This is a tough game.
00:56:54This is a tough game.
00:56:55This is a tough game.
00:56:56This is a tough game.
00:56:57This is a tough game.
00:56:58This is a tough game.
00:56:59This is a tough game.
00:57:00This is a tough game.
00:57:01This is a tough game.
00:57:02This is a tough game.
00:57:03This is a tough game.
00:57:04This is a tough game.
00:57:05This is a tough game.
00:57:06This is a tough game.
00:57:07This is a tough game.
00:57:08This is a tough game.
00:57:09This is a tough game.
00:57:10This is a tough game.
00:57:11This is a tough game.
00:57:12This is a tough game.
00:57:13This is a tough game.
00:57:14This is a tough game.
00:57:15This is a tough game.
00:57:16This is a tough game.
00:57:17This is a tough game.
00:57:18This is a tough game.
00:57:19This is a tough game.
00:57:20This is a tough game.
00:57:21This is a tough game.
00:57:22This is a tough game.
00:57:23This is a tough game.
00:57:24This is a tough game.
00:57:25This is a tough game.
00:57:26This is a tough game.
00:57:27This is a tough game.
00:57:28This is a tough game.
00:57:29This is a tough game.
00:57:30This is a tough game.
00:57:31This is a tough game.
00:57:32This is a tough game.
00:57:33This is a tough game.
00:57:34This is a tough game.
00:57:35This is a tough game.
00:57:36This is a tough game.
00:57:37This is a tough game.
00:57:38This is a tough game.
00:57:39This is a tough game.
00:57:40This is a tough game.
00:57:41This is a tough game.
00:57:42This is a tough game.
00:57:43This is a tough game.
00:57:44This is a tough game.
00:57:45This is a tough game.
00:57:46This is a tough game.
00:57:47This is a tough game.
00:57:48This is a tough game.
00:57:49This is a tough game.
00:57:50This is a tough game.
00:57:51This is a tough game.
00:57:52This is a tough game.
00:57:53This is a tough game.
00:57:54This is a tough game.
00:57:55This is a tough game.
00:57:56This is a tough game.
00:57:57This is a tough game.
00:57:58This is a tough game.
00:57:59This is a tough game.
00:58:00This is a tough game.
00:58:01This is a tough game.
00:58:02This is a tough game.
00:58:03This is a tough game.
00:58:04This is a tough game.
00:58:05This is a tough game.
00:58:06This is a tough game.
00:58:07This is a tough game.
00:58:08This is a tough game.
00:58:09This is a tough game.
00:58:10This is a tough game.
00:58:11This is a tough game.
00:58:12This is a tough game.
00:58:13This is a tough game.
00:58:14This is a tough game.
00:58:15This is a tough game.
00:58:16This is a tough game.
00:58:17This is a tough game.
00:58:18This is a tough game.
00:58:19This is a tough game.
00:58:20This is a tough game.
00:58:21This is a tough game.
00:58:22This is a tough game.
00:58:23This is a tough game.
00:58:24This is a tough game.
00:58:25This is a tough game.
00:58:26This is a tough game.
00:58:27This is a tough game.
00:58:28This is a tough game.
00:58:29This is a tough game.
00:58:30This is a tough game.
00:58:31This is a tough game.
00:58:32This is a tough game.
00:58:33This is a tough game.
00:58:34This is a tough game.
00:58:35This is a tough game.
00:58:36This is a tough game.
00:58:37This is a tough game.
00:58:38This is a tough game.
00:58:39This is a tough game.
00:58:40This is a tough game.
00:58:41This is a tough game.
00:58:42This is a tough game.
00:58:43This is a tough game.
00:58:44This is a tough game.
00:58:45This is a tough game.
00:58:46This is a tough game.
00:58:47This is a tough game.
00:58:48This is a tough game.
00:58:49This is a tough game.
00:58:50This is a tough game.
00:58:51This is a tough game.
00:58:52This is a tough game.
00:58:53This is a tough game.
00:58:54This is a tough game.
00:58:55This is a tough game.
00:58:56This is a tough game.
00:58:57This is a tough game.
00:58:58This is a tough game.
00:58:59This is a tough game.
00:59:00This is a tough game.
00:59:01This is a tough game.
00:59:02This is a tough game.
00:59:03This is a tough game.
00:59:04This is a tough game.
00:59:05This is a tough game.
00:59:06This is a tough game.
00:59:07This is a tough game.
00:59:08This is a tough game.
00:59:09This is a tough game.
00:59:10This is a tough game.
00:59:11This is a tough game.
00:59:12This is a tough game.
00:59:13This is a tough game.
00:59:14This is a tough game.
00:59:15This is a tough game.
00:59:16This is a tough game.
00:59:17This is a tough game.
00:59:18This is a tough game.
00:59:19This is a tough game.
00:59:20This is a tough game.
00:59:21This is a tough game.
00:59:22This is a tough game.
00:59:23This is a tough game.
00:59:24This is a tough game.
00:59:25This is a tough game.
00:59:26This is a tough game.
00:59:27This is a tough game.
00:59:28This is a tough game.
00:59:29This is a tough game.
00:59:30This is a tough game.
00:59:31This is a tough game.
00:59:32This is a tough game.
00:59:33This is a tough game.
00:59:34This is a tough game.
00:59:35This is a tough game.
00:59:36This is a tough game.
00:59:37This is a tough game.
00:59:38This is a tough game.
00:59:39This is a tough game.
00:59:40This is a tough game.
00:59:41This is a tough game.
00:59:42This is a tough game.
00:59:43This is a tough game.
00:59:44This is a tough game.
00:59:45This is a tough game.
00:59:46This is a tough game.
00:59:47This is a tough game.
00:59:48This is a tough game.
00:59:49This is a tough game.
00:59:50This is a tough game.
00:59:51This is a tough game.
00:59:52This is a tough game.
00:59:53This is a tough game.
00:59:54This is a tough game.
00:59:55This is a tough game.
00:59:56This is a tough game.
00:59:57This is a tough game.
00:59:58This is a tough game.
00:59:59This is a tough game.
01:00:00This is a tough game.
01:00:01This is a tough game.
01:00:02This is a tough game.
01:00:03This is a tough game.
01:00:04This is a tough game.
01:00:05This is a tough game.
01:00:06This is a tough game.
01:00:07This is a tough game.
01:00:08This is a tough game.
01:00:09This is a tough game.
01:00:10This is a tough game.
01:00:11This is a tough game.
01:00:12This is a tough game.
01:00:13This is a tough game.
01:00:14This is a tough game.
01:00:15This is a tough game.
01:00:16This is a tough game.
01:00:17This is a tough game.
01:00:18This is a tough game.
01:00:19This is a tough game.
01:00:20This is a tough game.
01:00:21This is a tough game.
01:00:22This is a tough game.
01:00:23This is a tough game.
01:00:24This is a tough game.
01:00:25This is a tough game.
01:00:26This is a tough game.
01:00:27This is a tough game.
01:00:28This is a tough game.
01:00:29This is a tough game.
01:00:30This is a tough game.
01:00:31This is a tough game.
01:00:32This is a tough game.
01:00:33This is a tough game.
01:00:34This is a tough game.
01:00:35This is a tough game.
01:00:36This is a tough game.
01:00:37This is a tough game.
01:00:38This is a tough game.
01:00:39This is a tough game.
01:00:40This is a tough game.
01:00:41This is a tough game.
01:00:42This is a tough game.
01:00:43That's a terrific screen for Kayla McBride, who obviously is a scorer in her own right.
01:00:49And then, Olivia Nasin-Adoda doesn't close out quick enough.
01:00:53This is just simple, clean execution, knocking down a shot with confidence.
01:01:01With the lead here at the Target Center, and they've been able to find great rhythm in
01:01:04the fourth quarter, which is stark contrast compared to Game 1.
01:01:07Kayla McBride in rhythm, stepping into the shot.
01:01:10The terrific assist to Atlanta.
01:01:11Mouse in the house.
01:01:12Had a smaller defender on her.
01:01:14And then, another great screen by Atlanta, and a three-point shot there.
01:01:18The way that they've been easy and confident in their identity, it has been revealed as
01:01:24you see the way they're shooting the ball from the three in the fourth, and of course,
01:01:27the point score compared to Game 1.
01:01:29They were outscored 16-8 in that final quarter on Sunday.
01:01:34They eventually lost by three.
01:01:36But their defense has been terrific here tonight.
01:01:41Connecticut shooting just 37 percent, 28 from three.
01:01:46Melissa Thomas induces another foul, and it's Courtney Williams again.
01:01:53That is four, now on her.
01:01:55Well, similarly to the contrast of stories, this will be free throws 14-15 for Connecticut,
01:02:01who shot just three free throws in Game 1.
01:02:06This is a team that averaged over 20 free throw attempts per game.
01:02:10That was tops in the league during the regular season.
01:02:14Connecticut made more free throws during the regular season than Minnesota even attempted.
01:02:22And Minnesota...
01:02:23Ooh, that drastic?
01:02:24Yeah, that drastic.
01:02:25Minnesota down towards the bottom of the point-shooting team.
01:02:28Connecticut, the opposite, draws a lot of contact.
01:02:32Back down to a nine-point lead, and here's a steal.
01:02:38Carrington takes it all the way, and McBride got a hand on it
01:02:44and goes over to cool down Carrington.
01:02:47Had a couple of instances here where tempers have flared tonight.
01:02:52A lot of yapping out there.
01:02:55Yeah, it has been a physical game, and basketball is a contact sport
01:03:00to a degree, but I think in the semifinals of the playoffs,
01:03:04anything extra beyond the regular physicality,
01:03:07and that is an awkward fall for D'Janae Carrington,
01:03:10but the officials don't call it anything other than a foul.
01:03:16Third foul on McBride, who was called for a technical earlier in this game.
01:03:31I think the officials don't look at this because you could argue
01:03:34that McBride was trying to make a play on the basketball,
01:03:37and the spin was a byproduct of that as opposed to any sort of follow-through
01:03:40that would have had it upgraded.
01:03:42So here we are.
01:03:43Good on Carrington to knock down the free throws.
01:03:45Seven-point lead.
01:03:47Minnesota has led by as many as 15.
01:03:50Carrington sells out to try to get the steal.
01:03:55Smith in trouble in the paint.
01:03:57Williams, number two, goes back.
01:04:04So much confidence, as she should, in that mid-range jumper.
01:04:12Thomas, shut off and shut down by Collier.
01:04:18Burton, boarded by Smith.
01:04:26Williams goes down, tries to call a timeout before she travels, and she does.
01:04:33She was so excited at shooting around earlier today,
01:04:37telling her teammates that her dad would be in the building, and he is.
01:04:41The game continues here on ESPN2 with a pair of Game 3 semifinals on Friday.
01:04:46We will be joining you from Hunkersville,
01:04:48Game 3 of this series between Minnesota and Connecticut,
01:04:52730 Eastern, and then out west, it's Liberty trying to close out the Aces.
01:04:56Coming up Friday, WNBA countdown coverage starts at 7 Eastern,
01:05:006 Central, 4 o'clock Vegas time.
01:05:10I think they can, but I am not predicting them.
01:05:18Game tonight, Liberty able to outlast Las Vegas to take a two-game-to-none lead.
01:05:27Dance here after seeing a replay on the big board,
01:05:30wanted a challenge on that possession call, but Minnesota didn't take it.
01:05:35Burton trying to save it in from Nafisa Collier.
01:05:38Who else is there to grab it?
01:05:41Collier yelled for the ball, got it from Williams, and just missed.
01:05:45Man, at home in the target center, it's been such a tough day shooting-wise for Collier.
01:05:49Thomas wants it for Carrington, yes, and the foul.
01:05:59Smith picks up her second foul.
01:06:01All right, Carrington has an opportunity to make this a two-possession ball game.
01:06:05Now, on the night, the Sun have not shot the three well.
01:06:08They're shooting just 26% from the three-point line.
01:06:12But with just under 90 seconds to go, first you're going to have to come up with the stop.
01:06:16You can't afford it.
01:06:17Oh, boy.
01:06:18Well, that's a good rebound.
01:06:24Nafisa Collier, nine points, 12 rebounds, five assists, four blocks.
01:06:31Not scoring the ball well, missing a lot of shots, but doing everything else.
01:06:39Shot clock at three for Williams.
01:06:42She doesn't need two seconds to get to the basket.
01:06:45Good shot.
01:06:46As Courtney Williams says in her very Southern Georgia accent, Thomas is loving it.
01:06:52From Southeast Georgia.
01:06:57Avery barely touched the rim, much to the delight of this target center crowd.
01:07:04And the Minnesota Lynx, who fell by three in game one, will even up this series.
01:07:14It becomes a best of three as we head back to Connecticut.
01:07:20And the Sun, I'm sure, are looking forward to getting home, sleeping in their own beds,
01:07:25getting back to their true routines tonight.
01:07:27They just looked a little bit gassed, particularly as jump shots have come up short pretty consistently for them.
01:07:32And they will get the extra day.
01:07:34Remember, they won't play until Friday.
01:07:37Connecticut will travel home tonight, chartering home tonight.
01:07:42They'll get in late, but as you said, at least they'll be home.
01:07:46Third foul on Smith.
01:07:51Eight Minnesota Lynx players have gotten into the game.
01:07:55All of them have scored at least four points.
01:07:58Great balance.
01:08:00Williams with 17 points leading the way.
01:08:06Connecticut, on the other hand, pardon me, Monica, just four bench points.
01:08:10The depth that the Lynx have is one thing that stood out.
01:08:15When you look at the strengths of the top four teams in the standings, of them,
01:08:21the Lynx got the most productivity out of their bench.
01:08:24And we think, we just mentioned the schedule of the postseason.
01:08:27It's rolling.
01:08:28It's intense games with short turnarounds.
01:08:31Depth certainly is a bonus.
01:08:34What's the chance?
01:08:35What did they say?
01:08:38Our house.
01:08:39Our house.
01:08:40Okay.
01:08:41Connecticut got no closer than seven points here in the fourth quarter.
01:08:45They have won seven straight games in the Lynx's house.
01:08:50That string is broken.
01:08:52And most importantly for them,
01:08:53they have tied up this best-of-five semi at a game apiece.
01:08:59These teams know each other so well.
01:09:02Ultimately, this will come down to a game of will.
01:09:07Of course, there's plenty of things for the Sun to clean up post-game.
01:09:11Didn't shoot the ball particularly well tonight and had some defensive lapses,
01:09:14but they do get to go home and they get another bite at the apple.
01:09:18Connecticut's only 36% from the floor, five of 20 from three.
01:09:22Minnesota, after a very slow start, ended up shooting 45% and had eight threes,
01:09:29which is huge for them.
01:09:31K-Math, as always, coming up big.
01:09:33Here she is with Angel.
01:09:35I know you're tired, but congrats on the win.
01:09:38Connecticut came into this one winning seven straight games in this arena.
01:09:42But what about your play tonight?
01:09:44We're going to change that narrative.
01:09:45Just tough.
01:09:46We felt like we gave one up on our home court.
01:09:49We don't want to be that team.
01:09:50That's not who we've been all year.
01:09:51So it's just all toughness.
01:09:52That's a great team, an experienced team.
01:09:55We knew we had to bring everything we had.
01:09:56We thought our sense of urgency wasn't great in the first game.
01:09:59It's playoff basketball.
01:10:00We want to have fun, too.
01:10:01We want to enjoy this moment, enjoy the fans.
01:10:03I thought we had a great game.
01:10:05Yeah, a few struggled from the floor, but everything that she does for us
01:10:07is so important.
01:10:08Everybody else stepped up.
01:10:09Cora Bridge, laying in some big shots.
01:10:12That's playoff basketball.
01:10:13That's what we need.
01:10:14That's who we've been all year.
01:10:15I love that you said that because her bench-outs scored them 16-4.
01:10:18When you're thinking about Alana Smith as well, went 0-4 in game one,
01:10:21hit 3-4 from distance tonight.
01:10:24The big plays from everyone down the stretch, how important was that?
01:10:27It's just gritty, man.
01:10:28I mean, we have a lot of experience.
01:10:30Obviously, in the offseason, we brought in Land, Tee,
01:10:32Cora for a reason, for their experience.
01:10:34And they came out, and we knew Land was going to bounce back.
01:10:36That's who she's been all season.
01:10:38She's always good on defensive end, but when she's hitting shots,
01:10:40it makes it such a different team, a more dynamic team.
01:10:42So just really proud of how we continue to fight tonight.
01:10:44All right, so now you're headed back to Connecticut.
01:10:46When you're thinking about what needs to be carried over,
01:10:48what's most important?
01:10:50I mean, it's going to be this and then some,
01:10:51because now we're going to Mohegan Sun.
01:10:53We know that.
01:10:54You know AT is going to be AT, DB.
01:10:56Like I said, they have a lot of experience.
01:10:58We just have to bring our toughness.
01:10:59We've got to pack that with us and bring that with us.
01:11:01Kayla McBuckets, thank you.
01:11:02All right.
01:11:04A sold-out crowd here tonight at Target Center.
01:11:07We expect the same when we head east.
01:11:10This is very entertaining.
01:11:12Monica McNutt dancing along.
01:11:14Do you know the electric slide Pee Weezy?
01:11:16We've got to make sure you know.
01:11:18You've got to slap the ground.
01:11:19Paul Irvin, our producer.
01:11:20Ashley Ward, our director.
01:11:22Great crew for Monica McNutt, Angel Gray, and the rest.
01:11:25I'm Pam Ward.
01:11:26Coverage of the WNBA semifinals again continues Friday.
01:11:29We'll see you starting with countdown at 7 Eastern on ESPN2,
01:11:32followed by Minnesota at Connecticut and New York at Las Vegas.
01:11:40Not pretty, but certainly effective.
01:11:42A very physical game as they were able to hold down the Connecticut Sun
01:11:47and win it.
01:11:48More on this game coming up on SportsZone.