This has all the ingredients to be a series for the ages. No one expected anything other than a contest going right down to the wire when the two top defensive teams from the regular season locked horns in the semi-finals. Though the Connecticut Sun came out on top against the Minnesota Lynx, the margin separating them was just one possession. Well, the game’s top scorer, Marina Mabrey herself gave a nod to the competitive nature of the clash as she expressed her respect for the Lynx’s performance.

Just moments after the final buzzer, Mabrey was caught up for a quick chat where she discussed her team’s victory and performance. However, when the topic turned to the competitive nature of the game, she praised the Lynx.

“Well, first off they played great here, and second, I mean they’re coached really well and um a really disciplined team that plays together. They have a lot of chemistry and they have everything that they need to be successful. So um, we got to be really disciplined as well,” Mabrey stated.

Mabrey’s appreciation holds weight, as the Lynx, despite the loss, managed to keep the game within reach. They, in fact, entered the fourth quarter with a five-point lead, showcasing their resilience. However, their performance took a downturn in the final quarter, scoring just eight points. This slump allowed Stephanie White’s team to capitalize and secure the win in the closing moments of the game.

With just thirty seconds remaining and the Lynx trailing by a single point, the home crowd remained hopeful. However, Alyssa Thomas’ jump shot shifted the momentum, making victory feel increasingly elusive for Minnesota. At this point, only a three-pointer could have turned the tide, and on this night, the three-point expertise clearly belonged to Marina Mabrey.

Marina Mabrey’s stellar performance sets the tone for the Sun’s Finals push

Marina Mabrey took to the court with fire in her eyes after lighting up the scoreboard with 44 points in the first round against the Fever. Her standout performance signaled just how vital she would be for the Sun as they faced the Lynx, who had finished just above them in the regular-season standings.

The Sun guard had an impressive showing in the game, finishing with 20 points—the highest individual score of the night, even surpassing Lynx’s Napheesa Collier, who had scored 42 points in her previous outing against the Phoenix Mercury. However, it was Mar’s deep three-pointer in the third quarter that truly stole the spotlight and showcased her long-range shooting prowess.

With about seven minutes left in the third quarter, DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas worked hard to penetrate the Lynx’s defense for a shot inside the arc. When that didn’t pan out, Bonner decided to pass the ball back to Mabrey, who was positioned well beyond the three-point line. While a shot from that distance seemed unlikely, the Notre Dame alumna shocked everyone by swiftly launching a 30-foot three-pointer.

Mabrey ended the game with six successful three-pointers, boasting an impressive 54.6% shooting accuracy from beyond the arc. As Game 2 approaches at the same venue, the Sun fans must be eager for Mabrey to maintain her momentum, as some have already nicknamed her “Ma3na Mabrey” to celebrate her long-range prowess.