“Once a Husky, always a Husky!” This saying beautifully captures the bond and emotions players feel for UConn during their college years. But things take an exciting turn when two UConn alums find themselves facing off in the intense atmosphere of the WNBA playoffs. That’s exactly what has happened in the thrilling series between the Minnesota Lynx and the Connecticut Sun, where the two former UConn teammates found themselves in the spotlight.

Just a day after Game 3 wrapped up between the Lynx and the Sun, a truly cinematic moment from the game hit social media. The snapshot shared on Instagram showcased Lynx player Dorka Juhasz and Sun’s Olivia Nelson-Ododa sharing a handshake, capturing a light-hearted moment amidst the fierce competition.

The post was captioned, “That UConn bond runs deep #BleedBlue.” Once Dorka Juhasz saw it, her Husky pride kicked in. She quickly reposted it to her own story, tagging Olivia Nelson-Ododa’s Instagram handle and adding a pink growing heart emoji, showing just how strong the UConn love remains. They spent two memorable years together on the court at Gampel Pavilion.

Dorka Juhasz made her WNBA debut last year with the Minnesota Lynx, while Olivia Nelson-Ododa stepped onto the pro stage a year earlier with the Los Angeles Sparks. The following season, the Connecticut Sun traded Nelson-Ododa, and she has since taken on a role as a key rotation piece for the team. Although the two former UConn teammates faced off in the recent playoff game, their playing time and contributions in this nail-biting series have remained limited.

Minnesota Lynx vs Connecticut Sun: Thrilling series with UConn alums showing up for a limited time

When the Lynx and Sun tipped off their semifinal series at the Target Center for Game 1, fans knew they were in for a treat. Both teams had established themselves as defensive powerhouses during the regular season, setting the stage for an intense matchup. As expected, the opener didn’t disappoint—though it was a nail-biter, the home team, the Lynx, fell just short, losing by a narrow three-point margin to the Sun.

However, Cheryl Reeve had no intention of letting that Game 1 loss define the series as she quickly adjusted her game plan, and it has paid off as the Lynx responded with dominant performances in the next two matchups, securing comfortable victories. Marina Mabrey of the Sun has impressed with her consistent play, sharing the spotlight in this series with the undeniable defensive prowess of the Lynx’s DPOY, Napheesa Collier.

Highlighting the UConn alums’ contributions, they have made appearances in this intense series, though their playing time has been limited. Olivia Nelson-Ododa has featured in all three games, averaging 9.3 minutes on the court and contributing a total of six points. Meanwhile, Dorka Juhasz of the Lynx made her impact in Game 3, where she logged 10 minutes and added five points to her team’s efforts.

Though both players have primarily come off the bench this season—Juhasz starting just seven games in the regular season and Nelson-Ododa not starting at all—they’re making the most of every minute on the court. And, of course, they’re keeping their UConn connection alive during the matchups. Their teams clash again today at Mohegan Sun Arena for a crucial Game 4, with both players aiming to compete while honoring their college roots.