Minnesota Lynx Defeated Connecticut Sun 101-89
The Lynx secured a victory over the Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 20, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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The Minnesota Lynx improved to a 32-10 record after defeating the Connecticut Sun 101-89. The matchup served as the final professional game for Napheesa Collier in Connecticut.
Why it matters
The game concluded the season for the Connecticut Sun, who finished with a 10-31 record after a recent 44-point loss in Atlanta. The Sun also took the opportunity to honor former coach Mike Thibault during the proceedings.
Napheesa Collier led the effort with 23 points, shooting 9-for-16 from the field and perfect on five free-throw attempts. Teammates Olivia Miles added 21 points while Natasha Howard contributed a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.
The players
Napheesa Collier
She is a professional basketball player who recorded 23 points in the victory over the Sun.
Mike Thibault
He is a former head coach of the Connecticut Sun who was honored by the organization.
Natasha Howard
She is a professional athlete who recorded 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Minnesota Lynx.
Olivia Miles
She is a professional athlete who scored 21 points for the Minnesota Lynx in the win.
The details
Minnesota established dominance early by jumping to a 27-12 lead in the first quarter, though the Sun managed a second-quarter rally to narrow the gap to 49-41 by halftime. Diamond Miller and Leila Lacan bolstered the offense for the Lynx by scoring 15 points each.
Timeline
September 20, 2026: The Minnesota Lynx defeated the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena.
September 17, 2026: The Connecticut Sun lost by 44 points at Atlanta.
Season Trajectory
The game follows a pattern set by the franchise history of the Connecticut Sun, which includes the 2003-2012 coaching tenure of Mike Thibault. The team honored their former coach during a season finale that highlighted the historical lineage of the franchise.
The result confirms a 32-10 season finish for Minnesota as they head toward the playoffs. Conversely, Connecticut concludes their campaign with a 10-31 record, failing to reach the post-season bracket.
The takeaway
The game served as a capstone for the Sun, allowing the organization to reflect on its history while looking toward future rebuild efforts. Minnesota continues to carry momentum into their next phase of competition with a strong core performance.
Further reading
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