With the 2023 common season full, the WNBA playoffs will start on Wednesday, September 13. Eight groups, 4 which symbolize the East and Western Convention, will compete for the WNBA Championship. The First-Spherical Playoff matchups will embrace the very best of three video games performed. Adopted by the primary spherical are the semi-finals, after which the Finals. Right here, you will discover the WNBA betting odds, traces, matchups, and brackets for the WNBA First-Spherical playoffs between the Connecticut Solar and the Minnesota Lynx.
The official bracket for the 2023 #WNBAPlayoffs offered by @Google ⬇️
First Spherical begins Wednesday September thirteenth at 8pm/ET on ESPN2 #MoreThanGame pic.twitter.com/Jc90UfZUKt
— WNBA (@WNBA) September 10, 2023
(3) Connecticut Solar (27-13) vs. (6) Minnesota Lynx (19-21)
Recreation 1: Sept. 13, Minnesota at Connecticut, 8 p.m. ET/ ESPN2
Recreation 2: Sept. 17, Minnesota at Connecticut, 1 p.m. ET/ ESPN
Recreation 3: Sept. 20, Connecticut at Minnesota TBD/ESPN (If needed)
Season Matchups
*Connecticut gained the collection 3-1*
Recreation 1: Connecticut 89, Minnesota 84 (Minnesota +6, over 159.5)Recreation 2: Connecticut 89, Minnesota 68 (Connecticut -4, underneath 158)Recreation 3: Minnesota 87, Connecticut 83 (Minnesota +12.5, over 161)Recreation 4: Connecticut 79, Minnesota 69 (Minnesota +11.5, underneath 164)
Again-to-back triple doubles for Alyssa Thomas 👏
She has extra triple doubles this season than all gamers in 2023 mixed 😳 pic.twitter.com/GAzyMSg1bb
— ESPN (@espn) August 2, 2023
Connecticut Solar
Tiffany Hayes, guard: Possible (knee)
DiJonai Carrington, guard: Questionable (foot)
Bernadett Határ, heart: Questionable (knee)
Minnesota Lynx
Jessica Shepard, ahead: OUT (ankle)
Lindsay Allen, guard, OUT: (thumb)
Natalie Achonwa, ahead: OUT (maternity go away)
Jessica Shepard (ankle) dominated out for Wednesday.
— Underdog WNBA (@Underdog__WNBA) September 12, 2023
Solar
The matchup is ready. The 2023 @WNBA Playoffs start this Wednesday, September thirteenth at 8PM at Mohegan Solar Area!
Do not miss the beginning of Solar vs. Lynx: https://t.co/vCwOo7XQtr#CTSun | #ForgedByFire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KP7OyG28HO
— Connecticut Solar (@ConnecticutSun) September 10, 2023
The Connecticut Solar appeared doomed after they misplaced Jonquel Jones, Jasmine Thomas, and head coach, Curt Miller within the offseason. A 12 months faraway from the WNBA Finals; the Connecticut Solar discover themselves proper again in playoff competition. A month into the 2023 season, Connecticut misplaced their star ahead Brionna Jones for the remainder of the season with an Achilles damage. Led by All-Stars Alyssa Thomas and DeWanna Bonner, the Connecticut Solar prevailed and shocked many this season.
Of all groups, the Solar led the league in opponent factors per sport (79) and three-point share (31.1). With the appropriate items surrounding Bonner and Thomas, the Solar have been capable of compete by 40 video games as a defensive juggernaut. The Solar, led by Stephanie White, completed 27-13, which was third finest within the WNBA. 4th total in offensive score, and third in defensive score, the Solar managed to remain afloat. Though the Solar dropped to fifth in offensive score put up all-star break (102.2), they managed to remain a prime defensive group.
For the reason that All-Star break, Connecticut ranked third in rebounding (50.5) and assists share (67.5), and fourth in internet score (100) and steals (8.0). By means of the backend of the season, the Solar dropped from 84.8 factors per sport, to 80.6. Connecticut is 13-7 at house, and can face the Lynx, who’re .500 on the street, and beat them as soon as at Mohegan Solar Area. The Solar are 3-2 of their final 5, by which they suffered twin losses to New York. Tiffany Hayes, DiJonai Carrington, and Bernadett Határ are all both possible or questionable for Wednesday’s matchup. The lack of all three, or only one, might very a lot affect the collection.
Lynx
subsequent cease: Connecticut. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/OUonPDtsho
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 12, 2023
The Lynx managed to maintain their playoff hopes alive and seize the No.6 seed after an 0-6 begin to the season. Following the retirement of Sylvia Fowles, the torch was handed to former Husky, Napheesa Collier. Each draft picks Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz have been distinction makers within the lineups, particularly within the absence of Collier or different accidents. The Lynx, led by Cheryl Reeve will compete for a title, after lacking the 2022 playoffs. By means of 40 video games, Minnesota ranks eighth in offensive score (99.8), and tenth in defensive score (105.7). Total, they rank tenth in internet score, which measures Minnesota’s level differential. Defensively, this group permits opponents to attain 85 factors a sport, which is second highest subsequent to Indiana.
With Jessica Shepard again from damage, together with Napheesa Collier, the Lynx did not see a lot change put up All-Star break. Within the second half of the season, their -4.5 internet score ranks ninth within the league, forward of the Fever, Storm, and Mercury. As soon as a championship dynasty within the 2010s, Minnesota will look to construct round Collier, and Kayla McBride, who lately signed a multi-year extension with the Lynx. Though the matchup can be tough, the Lynx beat the Solar on their house court docket, and can be with out Jessica Shepard for sport 1. With Shepard out, search for Juhasz and Miller to see important enjoying time. The Lynx dropped 4 of their final six video games, together with losses in opposition to New York, Washington, Chicago, and Indiana.
Season Matchups
Connecticut leads the season collection 3-1, by which their solely loss got here on their house court docket July 30. The Solar head into the playoffs with a 32-point differential over the 4 matchups, by which they outrebounded the Lynx by a complete of 5 rebounds. In 4 video games, the Solar shot 46.3 % from the sphere, and 29 % from the three. Minnesota completed the collection capturing 43 % from the sphere, and 30 % from downtown.
Minnesota lined the unfold in all matchups, and the Connecticut Solar gained the MoneyLine in 75 % of the conferences. The Solar put up 85 factors a sport, three greater than their common, and the Lynx with 77. It is necessary to notice, Connecticut was with out Brionna Jones for 3 of the 4 matchups in opposition to Minnesota. Stephanie White, AP Coach of the 12 months could have house court docket benefit the primary two playoff matchups.
Solar Key Gamers
One of many league’s finest, with out query.
Congratulations to Alyssa Thomas for being named to the AP First Staff All League! #CTSun | #ForgedByFire 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9zPTZR1Q6o
— Connecticut Solar (@ConnecticutSun) September 12, 2023
Ahead Alyssa Thomas has been an MVP candidate all season and elevated her sport to new heights. In essentially the most helpful participant race with Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson, Thomas was named to the AP First Staff All-League. All through the season, Thomas recorded essentially the most assists in a single season (316), six triple doubles, and 28 double-doubles, all WNBA information. By means of 40 video games, No. 25 is the primary participant ever to guide the league in assists and rebounds, have a 20-20-10 sport, and have back-to-back triple doubles. She’s the primary WNBA participant to have 600 factors, 300 rebounds, and 300 assists. It is protected to say, with out Thomas, the Connecticut Solar would not be the place they’re this season.
DeWanna Bonner, in her 14th 12 months within the WNBA, set a franchise single-game report with 41 factors again on June 8. Averaging over 17 factors a sport, Bonner has been lighting it up all season lengthy. In her fourth 12 months with the Solar, Bonner is a power on either side of the ball, together with Thomas.
A dominant duo
Mixed, No. 24 and 25 common a mixed 32.9 factors per sport, 15.5 rebounds, 10.1 assists, and a couple of.9 steals. In 4 video games in opposition to the Lynx, Bonner and Thomas mixed for 139 factors (34 ppg), 62 rebounds (15.5 rpg), and 49 assists (12.2 apg). In sport 2, Thomas dished out 16 assists alone, together with scoring 16 factors. The play of Natisha Hiedeman, Rebecca Allen, and Tiffany Hayes can be important, offering Hayes can be wholesome. Mixed, the three-guard accounted for 22 factors of their 79-69 win in opposition to the Lynx. Tyasha Harris, acquired within the offseason from Dallas, can be a big x-factor off the bench. DiJonai Carrington, coming off an damage must be a key reserve for this Solar group. Well being and guard manufacturing can be key right here for Connecticut.
Lynx Key Gamers
add it to her résumé. 👑 pic.twitter.com/rTbwTLOBEC
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) September 12, 2023
After lacking practically all of 2022 because of the beginning of her first little one, Napheesa Collier was named Comeback Participant of the 12 months. 2023 draft picks Diamond Miller and Dorka Juhasz have been named to the All-Rookie group. With Kayla McBride signing her multi-year extension, the group is definitely constructing round her and Collier. With some accidents, got here inconsistencies for the Minnesota Lynx. Collier and McBride account for 35.8 factors a sport, adopted by Diamond Miller with 12. The Lynx can be with out Jessica Shepard and Lindsay Allen, each as a consequence of accidents. With these losses, anticipate Juhasz to fill that beginning function, which can command a major quantity of strain, particularly from a rookie. Minnesota ranks fifth in bench factors per sport (19.3), which can be thinner with accidents.
Prediction
Each groups have questionable and particular accidents on either side for Wednesday. With out Jessica Shepard, that leaves Minnesota with no selection however to start out a rookie (Juhasz) in a crucial sport. Given the primary spherical is simply two video games, I do assume Minnesota will put up a combat right here. Having stolen one sport from Connecticut of their house area, the Lynx are .500 on the street, and can matchup in opposition to of the very best defensive items within the playoffs. If Minnesota can step up their protection, and play constant on either side of the ball, they could have a standing likelihood. With Connecticut, it could all the time be a chance, nonetheless, they’ve a imply protection, and one of many prime duos in the whole league.
My prediction for the WNBA Playoffs First-Spherical: Connecticut in three
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