The drama between the No.21s! It was more than expected to be a heated contest when Connecticut Sun visited Target Center for their Game 2 against Minnesota Lynx in the playoff series. Having already dealt the Lynx a tough loss in their previous matchup, the pressure was on Minnesota to deliver a strong performance in front of their home crowd. Whether it meant pushing their limits or playing with a bit more intensity, seemed they were ready to do whatever it took to secure the win.

The Lynx put on a commanding performance, but the real story unfolded when the No. 21s of both teams—DiJonai Carrington and Kayla McBride—almost turned the game into a physical showdown. As Carrington, the Sun guard, attempted to rally her team by weaving through the Lynx defense, she almost launched a two-point shot from inside the arc. But in a flash, McBride charged in, aiming to block the shot. In the process, she snatched the ball right out of Carrington’s hands, sending the Sun guard crashing to the floor.

The drama escalated when Carrington didn’t waste a moment getting back on her feet after that hard fall. The guard seemed ready to charge at McBride to settle the score. Thankfully, Marina Mabrey stepped in just in time, blocking Carrington’s path and preventing the situation from getting out of hand. Certainly, it had everyone holding their breath for what would unfold between the two No. 21s.

While that intense showdown was a standout moment, the Game 2 clash between these teams was filled with other fiery exchanges that showcased both squads’ determination to secure a win.

Lynx took command in Game 2 amidst tough physical clashes

The Game 2 showdown concluded with a score of 77-70 in favor of the Lynx, who asserted their dominance throughout the match. They consistently outperformed the Sun, leading after each of the first three quarters. By the end of the fourth quarter, the Lynx held a comfortable eleven-point lead, which the Sun managed to trim down to nine by the final buzzer.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was Napheesa Collier’s struggle, finishing with just nine points. After averaging an impressive 40 points in the first round, this performance was certainly unexpected. Collier faced her own challenges during the game, particularly when Marina Mabrey aggressively attempted to snatch the ball from her while she was on the floor trying to get back up.

Just moments after that intense clash, Marina Mabrey, who had been trying to keep DiJonai Carrington calm during her confrontation with McBride later, found herself on the receiving end of a tough elbow from McBride while defending against her. Despite the rough moments, Mabrey put together a commendable performance, wrapping up the game with 15 points, one steal, and one block. However, her shooting touch seemed to elude her.

After dazzling fans with her long-range shooting in Game 1, ‘Mar’ struggled to find her rhythm in this matchup. She managed to sink just two of her eight attempts from beyond the arc, leaving everyone surprised by her unexpected dip in performance. If Mabrey had maintained her recent shooting percentage from beyond the arc, the Sun might have found themselves just a win away from the Finals. Nevertheless, the game 3 awaits which will be played at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Friday night.