The Connecticut Sun travel to Target Center to face the Minnesota Lynx in a crucial early-season matchup. The Sun are still searching for their first win of the season, while the Lynx have been dominant, starting 3-0 and establishing themselves as early WNBA title contenders.
Game Overview
- Date: Friday, May 23, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Broadcast: ION, WNBA League Pass
- Series Status: First meeting of the season
Team Breakdown
Minnesota Lynx (3-0, 1st in Eastern Conference)
- Last Game: 85-81 win vs. Dallas Wings
- Key Players:
- Napheesa Collier – Leads the WNBA in scoring with 28.3 PPG, shooting 57.7% from the field.
- Courtney Williams – Averaging 8.7 assists per game, providing elite playmaking.
- Jessica Shepard – A force inside, shooting 64.7% from the field while grabbing 9.3 rebounds per game.
Connecticut Sun (0-2, 5th in Eastern Conference)
- Last Game: 87-62 loss vs. Las Vegas Aces
- Key Players:
- Tina Charles – Leading the Sun with 21.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, including a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double vs. Washington.
- Olivia Nelson-Ododa – Averaging 13.5 PPG on 52.7% shooting, providing interior scoring.
- Marina Mabrey – Struggling offensively, averaging 9.0 PPG, but remains a key perimeter threat.
Key Matchups & Storylines
1. Napheesa Collier’s MVP-Level Play
Collier has been unstoppable, scoring 34 points in 32 minutes in Minnesota’s season opener. Connecticut must find a way to slow her down, or she could take over again.
2. Connecticut’s Offensive Struggles
The Sun rank near the bottom in offensive efficiency, averaging just 73.5 PPG while shooting 39.2% from the field. Can they find rhythm against Minnesota’s switch-heavy defense?
3. Lynx’s Depth vs. Sun’s Short Rotation
Minnesota has multiple scoring threats, while Connecticut is missing rookie Aneesah Morrow (knee) and has a nine-player rotation. Will fatigue play a role late in the game?
4. Can Connecticut Control the Pace?
Minnesota thrives in fast-paced offense, averaging 91 PPG and leading the league in assists per game (27). The Sun must slow the game down and feed Charles in the post to have a chance.
Prediction & X-Factors
- Likely Outcome: Minnesota is favored due to their depth, offensive firepower, and home-court advantage.
- X-Factors:
- Collier’s scoring efficiency – If she dominates early, Minnesota could pull away.
- Charles’ interior presence – Can she exploit Minnesota’s defense inside?
- Sun’s three-point shooting – Connecticut ranks last in made threes per game, which could hurt them against Minnesota’s perimeter-heavy attack.
GAME ODDS
Connecticut Sun 174.5
Minnesota Lynx – 15.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, May 22, 2025
