The Minnesota Lynx secured the No. 1 seed in the WNBA playoffs and home-court advantage throughout the postseason with a franchise-record 31st victory, defeating the Connecticut Sun 94-70 on Saturday. This achievement underscores their dominance in the league and sets the stage for a championship run.
The game unfolded on August 30, 2025, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where the Lynx established control early. They outscored the Sun 21-10 in the second quarter, building a 42-29 halftime lead, and maintained momentum with a 9-2 run to start the second half, effectively sealing the outcome. Despite a brief rally by Connecticut, the Lynx closed with a 12-1 surge in the fourth quarter to secure the decisive win.
Key performances propelled the victory, with Alanna Smith and DiJonai Carrington each scoring 18 points, the latter marking a season high. Napheesa Collier added 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks, highlighting her all-around impact and MVP candidacy. Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams contributed 15 points apiece, with the team shooting an efficient 51.5% from the field and 53.6% from three-point range while committing only seven turnovers.
This win came as a rebound from a disappointing loss to the Seattle Storm two days prior, where the Lynx failed to clinch the top seed after a second-half collapse. Coach Cheryl Reeve emphasized the importance of reducing turnovers and steady improvement, praising the team’s resilience and execution in this critical game.
The victory sets a new franchise record for wins in a season, surpassing the previous mark of 30 achieved in 2024. It also marks the Lynx’s first No. 1 seed since 2017, when they won their fourth championship, adding historical significance to their current campaign.
Home-court advantage is a crucial asset, given the Lynx’s impressive 18-2 record at Target Center this season, the best in the league. Coach Reeve and players like Alanna Smith highlighted the energy from home fans as a key factor in playoff success, aiming to leverage this edge for a deep postseason run.
With five games remaining in the regular season, including a high-stakes matchup against the Las Vegas Aces on September 4, the Lynx may manage player rotations to maintain health, particularly for Collier, who has missed games due to injury. The team’s focus now shifts to preparing for the playoffs, where they seek to avenge last year’s Finals loss to the New York Liberty and capture a record-tying fifth title.
The clinching of the top seed not only solidifies the Lynx’s status as the team to beat but also provides a psychological boost, reinforcing their championship aspirations as the postseason approaches.