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.
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.