2011 WNBA Playoffs: Minnesota Lynx Earn Spot in Finals, Atlanta Dream Force a Game 3

by Jessica Lantz on Sep 25, 2011 7:13 PM EDT in WNBA Playoffs 2011

The Minnesota Lynx secured their first-ever appearance in the WNBA Finals after sweeping the Phoenix Mercury in the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota turned in a 103-86 performance in Phoenix to secure their spot. The Lynx were led by extremely balanced scoring in the contest, with six players reaching double-digits. Taj McWilliams-Franklin and Maya Moore led the way with 21 points each. The team put together their first 30-point quarter in the 2011 playoffs after scoring 33 in the final frame. For Phoenix, Diana Taurasi and DeWanna Bonner both scored 22 in the loss. Minnesota will now return home to await their opponent from the East and will get a week of rest before their title quest continues.

MIN/PHO Game 2 Boxscore

The Atlanta Dream forced a decisive Game 3 in the Eastern Conference Finals after a 94-77 pounding of the Indiana Fever. The Dream pair of Iziane Castro-Marquez and Angel McCoughtry combined for 57 points in the win. All five Atlanta starters reached double-digit scoring. The Fever was led by Katie Douglas' 25 points but the story of the night for Indiana was the late-game injury to WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings' foot. No word is known of the severity of the injury as yet but it warranted getting carried off the court. The Fever will host the Atlanta on Tuesday in the last of their best-of-3. The winner will advance to meet the Lynx in the Finals, which will begin on Sunday, Oct. 2.

ATL/IND Game 2 Boxscore

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6 Lynx players in double figures in scoring

and 7(!) assists from Mama Taj.

Balanced play.

by Shannon Cotterell on Sep 25, 2011 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

Definitely

An impressive tune-up game before the finals up and down the roster… they’re my pick to win against either the Dream or Fever (especially if Catch’s injury keeps her out of any games)

by Jessica Lantz on Sep 25, 2011 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Ditto

I can’t see a full-strength Indiana or Atlanta being able to beat Minnesota over five games. But I would love for it to go for five games. More basketball that way.

by JustineL on Sep 26, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Congrats to the Lynx for their first trip to the Finals - I'm pulling for them to win it all

And congrats to Phoenix for being the epitome of class when it comes to losing

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." ~ Dinobot

by beastwarking on Sep 25, 2011 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

what scares me about minny is that

You don’t know who their best player is… So you just have to watch out for everyone.

by thewiz06 on Sep 26, 2011 12:30 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

and with the second pick in the 2012 wnba draft

the Minnesota Lynx select…

by dustay2121 on Sep 26, 2011 2:43 AM EDT reply actions

you mean the first.

Afterward Rebecca Lobo will bash the Mystics

by thewiz06 on Sep 26, 2011 8:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Phoenix really went out with a whimper.

No wonder Diana appeared to have tears in her eyes in the closing moments. Feel bad for Candace and Marie as they haven’t won before.

by ttdomi on Sep 26, 2011 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

Congratulations to the Minnesota Lynx for being the first Minnesota pro team to reach a championship in my lifetime

by 91bigten on Sep 26, 2011 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

you must be under 21? the twins win the world series in 91

by thewiz06 on Sep 26, 2011 5:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm rooting for Minnesota vs Atlanta

Can Catchings recover enough to pull out another miracle steal to save another game? I have the feeling that, like Phoenix, Indiana may have reached the end of the line. We’ll see. I would like to see a series between Minnesota and Atlanta, as I think Atlanta has the ability to beat Minnesota on the road.

Minnesota got a little lucky last night against Phoenix; it’s hard to beat 57% shooting from 3 point range, and 10 extra foul shots. Not sure that they are really as good as they looked. I would have loved to have seen a game 3. That said, congrats to Minnesota for a heck of a team and a heck of a season, and good luck in the finals.

by OVJ on Sep 26, 2011 8:21 PM EDT reply actions