Photo Credit: Minnesota Lynx/Instagram
By: Jennifer Portee
Napheesa Collier scored 23 points, Olivia Miles added 21 and broke the WNBA rookie single-season scoring record as the Minnesota Lynx beat the Connecticut Sun 101-89 on Sunday.
Minnesota improved to 32-10 and moved within one win or one Golden State loss of clinching the top seed and home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Miles entered the game tied with Caitlin Clark’s rookie record of 769 points, set in 2024. She broke the mark on a free throw with 9:31 remaining in the second quarter and finished the game with 790 points this season.
The Lynx had lost three straight games but came out quickly, opening on an 11-2 run. Collier scored Minnesota’s first four points, and Courtney Williams added five during the surge against her former team.
Minnesota led 27-12 after the first quarter, with Collier scoring 10 points. The Lynx extended their lead to 45-26 on a Collier layup with 3:44 left in the first half.
Connecticut responded with a 15-4 run to cut the margin to eight, but Collier converted a three-point play with 25.2 seconds remaining before halftime to put Minnesota back ahead by double digits.
The Sun stayed within range behind their 3-point shooting. Connecticut made 12 of its first 19 attempts from beyond the arc and finished 15-for-28, trimming Minnesota’s lead to seven early in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota held off the rally and maintained control down the stretch.
Natasha Howard added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Lynx. Miles shot 7-for-10 from the field and had six assists.
Connecticut fell to 10-32 and lost its fifth straight game. Saniya Rivers left with an injury in the first quarter and did not return.
The Sun honored former coach Mike Thibault before the game. Thibault coached the franchise from 2003 through 2012, and his son, Eric Thibault, is an assistant coach for Minnesota.
Minnesota visits Indiana on Tuesday. Connecticut visits Washington on Tuesday.